DEC.

13, 2011 DATE

NR # 2616
REF. NO.

Lawmaker wants a PUP campus for his district in Caloocan City

A lawmaker has filed a bill establishing a branch of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in the first district of Caloocan City. Rep. Oscar Malapitan (1st District, Caloocan City), author of House Bill 5427, said there is a need to establish a PUP extension campus in Barangay Congress-173, Caloocan city since it has the third largest population in Metro Manila. The rapidly growing population of Caloocan City due to its being a major resettlement area for informal settlers from Manila and Quezon City compels us to seek a balance between the growth of population on the one hand, and the need to expand the educational base and growing demand for education on the other, Malapitan said. Malapitan said the PUP administration has approved the establishment of a campus in Caloocan City in 1991 but did not push through due to financial constraint. Presently, Metro Manila has the highest student population in the country due to the accessibility of state colleges and universities. Students usually take factors, like transportation facilities, fares, traffic, travel time, and general convenience into consideration in the pursuit of higher education, Malapitan said. Global technological advancement, economic crises and the need for market competitiveness have affected the common peoples way of survival, and require a corresponding scientific advancement in the educational system in order to provide the people with equal opportunities for economic progress, Malapitan added. Malapitan said the bill adheres to the four pillars of education of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), namely, learning to be, learning to know, learning to do and learning to live together. Citing the Constitution of the Philippines, Malapitan said, the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. The realization of a state university in Caloocan City shall give a big boost to the future of the less fortunate citizens, Malapitan said. At present, PUP has provincial campuses in Calauan, Sta. Rosa, San Pedro, and Binan, Laguna; Bansud, Oriental Mindoro; Maragondon, Cavite; Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Ragay, Camarines Sur; General Luna, Unisan, Mulanay, and Lopez, Quezon; Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; Pulilan, Bulacan; Sta. Maria, Bulacan; and Mariveles, Bataan. In Metro Manila, PUP has campuses in Paranaque, San Juan, Quezon City, Taguig and three campuses in the City of Manila. (30) jsc