Senate oks 12 bills establishing, converting public schools, SUCs

The Senate approved today on third and final reading 12 bills seeking to establish, convert, separate and rename public elementary and secondary schools, state university and colleges (SUCs) nationwide.

The bills were sponsored by Senator Francis Escudero, chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.

Approved were measures establishing the Silverio Elementary School in Parañaque City (HBN 7241), the Tambo National High School in Parañaque City (HBN 7178) and the Veinte Reales National High School in Valenzuela City (HBN 7240). Likewise, House Bills separating and converting the Alameda National High School in Igbaras, Iloilo (HBN 7175); the San Pablo National High School in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat (HBN 7176); the Malanday National High School in Valenzuela City (HBN 7177); the Sta. Ana National High School in San Joaquin, Iloilo (HBN 7242) and the Upper Katungal National High School in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat (HBN 7243) were approved on final reading.

Escudero said the establishment and conversion of the elementary and secondary schools "would help resolve the pressing demands of classroom-to-teacher-to-student shortage ratio" in those areas.

The bills, he added, would also guarantee budgetary appropriations for these schools to help provide their students "better quality and accessible education for their constituencies."

Also approved were a bill approving the renaming of the Naval State University into the Biliran Province State University (HBN 6065), and bills converting the Southern Philippines Agriculture, Business Marine and Aquatic School of Technology -Digos City campus into the Davao Del Sur State College (HBN 6715), the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College into the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (HBN 6741) and the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences-Ragay Campus into the Ragay Polytechnic Skills Institute (HBN 6995).

Escudero said the conversion of the institutions into state colleges and universities would give a bigger chance for those who cannot afford private tertiary education and to "equip students with the necessary skills to achieve global competence." (Mae Miranda)