Senator Alan Peter Cayetano expressed support for bills aimed at expanding state universities and colleges (SUCs) in provinces.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, Cayetano led a public hearing on measures to strengthen tertiary education in provinces like Tawi-Tawi, Sultan Kudarat, and Bukidnon.
Proposals included establishing new state colleges, upgrading existing ones to universities, and converting satellite campuses into full-fledged campuses.
“We’ll try na talagang maipasa ito by our next session ng late January to early February. We’re just going through the requirements,” the lawmaker said, referring to the session resuming on January 13, 2025.
He explained that expanding SUCs would make education more accessible, reduce travel and living costs for students, and improve their chances of graduating.
Cayetano also highlighted the positive impact of campuses on local economies and their role in national development.
“I’d really like to see the day na ang advisors ng mayors, governors, President are people from the academe. So the more the academe grows, the more the community grows,” he said.IMT
