Buk’non community college to become government-owned

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent . 

THERE will be a Northern Bukidnon State College soon.

This was disclosed by 1st District Rep. Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba after her office was informed that House Bill 8799 has already passed and approved on Third and Final Reading last week at the Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Appropriations.

“Upon being informed of the passage of HB No. 8799 on Third Reading, Senate Migz (Juan Miguel) Zubiri began actively pushing for the passage of SB No. 2045 in the Senate,” she said.

On Jan. 29, the Senate Committee on Education and Culture chaired by Sen. Francis Escudero, approved Senate Bill No. 2045, adopting the revisions brought about by HB No. 8799.

“Present in the hearing to sponsor and lobby the passage of SB No. 2045 was Senator Migz and Mayor Clive Quiño of Manolo Fortich. Later in the afternoon session, the Senate approved SB No. 2045 in Second Reading with a high probability that the same will be approved in Third Reading in the Senate when session resumes this week,” she added.

The Northern Bukidnon Community College, formerly known as the Manolo Fortich Community College, is a local college situated in the municipality of Manolo Fortich, province of Bukidnon. It currently offers three programs, namely: Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, and Bachelor of Secondary Education.

Converting NBCC into a state college means that it will have to operate at least eight different degree programs with at least six undergraduate courses. Said undergraduate courses must include a four-year course in liberal arts, a four-year course in science and mathematics, and a four-year course in the social sciences; a minimum of three other professional courses that will lead to government licensures; and at least two graduate-level courses that will lead to doctoral degrees.