Solons lambast closure order of BSU-External Studies Center

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City members of the House of Representatives have linked arms in opposing the Commission on Higher Education’s order to close the Bukidnon State University – External Studies Centers.

Representatives Malou Acosta (1st District Bukidnon) and Juliet Uy (1st District Misamis Oriental) brought their opposition to Ched’s order before the lower house’s committee on higher and technical education.

Chaired by Committee chair Ann Hofer (2nd District Zamboanga Sibugay), the committee conducted the first hearing of the issue raised by Uy and Acosta before the committee level of the House of Congress.

On Monday, Misamis Oriental Vice-Governor Joey Peláez, Rep. Maxie Rodriguez (2nd District Cagayan de Oro City), Local Government officials of the Municipality of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental also attended the committee hearing.

Acosta in a phone interview said the closure of BSU-External Studies Center is like abandoning the duty of government’s function in giving the poor access to higher and low-tuition college education.

“It like abandoning the poor. Mura ba og ato silang gi-abog ba nga dili na mo-eskwela. Sa tulo ka area alone more than 5,000 college students ang affected,” she said.

In Bukidnon alone, more than 1,000 students will be affected if the Ched’s order would be enforced.

Acosta said along with Uy and other Mindanao-based legislative body, she would asked other members of the house to reject and pass a bill to amend and suspend the Ched’s order for BSU-ESC closure.