Deputy Speaker Hataman: Increase in SUCs budget ‘phenomenal’, to benefit Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman has branded as “phenomenal” the increase in the budget for state colleges and universities and it will benefit Basilan province following the signing Thursday by President Rodrigo Duterte of the P5.2-trillion national budget for 2022.

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman (Photo: Al Jacinto)

“The hike in the SUC’s budget is phenomenal - from P113.1 million separately approved by both houses of Congress, to P233.8 million during the bicam. The president signed the General Appropriations Act today,” said Hataman, the sole lawmaker from Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. 

He said included in the budget is the “dramatic” increase in funds for Basilan State College. “Malugod kong ipinapaalam sa mga Basileños na higit pa sa doble ang itinaas ng pondo para sa ating Basilan State College bilang paghahanda sa napipinto nitong conversion para maging Basilan State University. Kami ay nagagalak at naisama sya sa national budget natin para sa 2022 para masimulan na ang pagbabago. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga kasama sa Kongreso sa napakagandang balita na ito,” he said. 

Hataman, who authored House Bill 7697 converting Basilan State College into a university, was passed on final reading in September 2020 and Duterte signed this into law last June 23. 

According to Hataman, for 2021, the approved budget for Basilan State College is P117.2 million. The proposed 2022 funds for Basilan State College in the Senate and the House of Representatives stood at P113.1 million, but this was revised in the bicameral conference committee to P233.8 million. And for 2019 and 2020, its budget amounted to P105.6 million and P105.1 million, respectively. 

“Simula na ito ng conversion ng Basilan State College para maging ganap na state university na. Mas madaming mag-aaral ang makikinabang, mas malaki ang oportunidad sa pag-unlad. Mahaba pa ang tatahakin, pero tuloy-tuloy na ito,” Hataman said. 

At present, the Basilan State College has a Level I and II accreditation from the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines and even offers a Doctorate in Education Major in Education Administration, Masters in Public Administration and Masters of Arts in Education. 

Hataman said one Basilan State College becomes a university, it has the mandate to provide advance education, higher technological, professional and vocational courses, and training in arts and sciences, education, agriculture and industrial fields, management, criminology, maritime, medical education, legal education, non-traditional courses and other relevant fields of study. (Mindanao Examiner)