LEYTE, Leyte– A new campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) has opened in Barangay Calaguise, here offering a chance for higher education to 150 deserving students from the third congressional district of Leyte and nearby areas.
The PUP-Leyte Campus was officially inaugurated on September 5, 2024.
The PUP-Leyte Campus is the first PUP campus in the Visayas region, designed to bring college education to areas with limited access.
The event was attended by Atty. Pascualito B. Gatan, PUP vice president for campuses, who highlighted that the new campus aims to provide a supportive learning environment for local students.
“Our goal is to help young people from Leyte improve their lives and their families’ lives,” Gatan said.
The third district of Leyte includes the municipalities of Leyte, Tabango, Calubian, San Isidro, and Villaba. Most of these areas are classified as fourth-income class, with Villaba being a third-class municipality.
This school year, the new campus will offer three courses: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BSENTREP), and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing Management (BSBA-MM).
Gatan proudly cuts and then raises the ribbon to celebrate the formal opening of the university’s new campus in Leyte, as other guests witness the event.
Former congressman Vicente Veloso III (3d district), who helped make the campus possible through Republic Act 11786, led the opening ceremony.
Veloso said it was his long-time dream to establish a tertiary school in his district to meet the educational needs of the local residents and those in nearby areas, including the province of Biliran.
He was joined by her daughter, Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso-Kabigting, local mayors, and representatives from various government offices, including those of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre.
Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Leyte 3rd Engineering District, led by Engr. Cesar Makabenta, were also present.
Board Member Marie Veloso-Kabigting expressed her excitement about the opening of the new PUP Leyte Campus, noting that it will significantly address the educational needs of her district’s residents.
She expressed her hope that the new campus will improve education quality and boost local economic activity.
“Education is key to positive change. The PUP-Leyte Campus will help drive economic growth by creating new business opportunities in the community,” she said.
Engr. Makabenta announced that the campus building, which cost P48 million, includes 15 classrooms, a library, a computer lab, and administrative offices.
He added that the third floor will temporarily serve as a dormitory until a separate dormitory building is completed. Other facilities are funded by PUP.
In addition to free tuition, students will also receive free dormitory accommodation. Rep. Veloso-Tuazon’s office is also working on providing free transportation for all students.
(PIA-8 with GTT/PIA-Leyte)
