NorMin State College to upgrade to University status in September: MisOcc guv

Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. (center-front) together with local officials and the beneficiaries of the recently implemented Asenso Pamilya: One Family, One Professional initiative.

IN A significant development for education in Misamis Occidental and its neighbors in the region, Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. recently announced that the Northern Mindanao State College (NMSC) in Tangub City is expected to be elevated to university status within the year.

The state college’s journey to become an accredited university started from a bill sponsored by Oaminal during his tenure at congress, which was then signed into Republic Act No. 11186 in 2019.

"I fought for this upgrade because I believe it is the right thing for our youth," said the governor, reflecting on his time in congress.

Oaminal announced that the NMSC is on track to achieve university status by September, requiring a minimum enrollment of 6,000 students.

"Currently, NMSC has 3,600 students from second to fourth year. With 3,932 passers from the entrance examination, we need 2,400 more enrollees to meet the requirement,” he explained.

The provincial government of Misamis Occidental also began its preparation to accommodate the influx of students, according to Oaminal, noting the need for additional classrooms and teachers. "The budget approved last year only supports 4,000 students,” he continued.

“To accommodate the additional 2,400 students, we need over P14 million for teachers and rooms,” said Oaminal. “After deliberating with our Sangguniang Panlalawigan, I’m happy to announce that our provincial government has committed P19,142,500 to cover these needs.”

Through the budget allocation, the local administration sought to demonstrate their commitment to prioritize Misamisnon students. "This funding from our provincial government is our commitment to ensuring that the youth of Misamis Occidental have access to quality education and the opportunities that come with it," Oaminal assured.

Oaminal shared the development in front of an assembly of students and parents at the implementation of the local government’s Asenso Pamilya: One Family, One Professional initiative. Through the program, a total of 2,338 first-year college scholars will receive financial assistance for their studies.

"This funding comes from the people's taxes, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our students receive the support they need,” Oaminal concluded. (PR)