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By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.
Correspondent .

ILIGAN City — The bill proposed to be filed by Congressman Frederick Siao of the Lone District this city, converting the Iligan City National School of Fisheries (ICNSF) in Barangay Buruun into Iligan City Polytechnic State College (ICPSC) gained the resounding support of the stakeholders during a consultative forum held over weekend at the school’s amphitheater.

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Representatives from the congressional district office, school administrators, parents, teachers, students, purok leaders, and leaders of neighboring municipalities participated in the said forum.

As explained by Arnold Garbanzos, political affairs officer, representing Siao during the forum the bill seeks to make the school an institution that will contribute more significantly to the development of the country’s fisheries industry.

He pointed out that the purpose and objective of the consultation is to provide the stakeholders a platform for raising their questions and concerns regarding the proposed legislation.

He told the participants that they came to consult the stakeholders and obtain their support for the proposed legislation.

“At the end the day we ask your show of support by coming up with a resolution coming from the school, purok, barangay and even from the neighboring barangay Poblacion of Linamon, Lanao del Norte,” he said.

School Principal Ronillo Apas, Sr. cited the necessity of the bill in the development of the fisheries industry by explaining that many students choose not to pursue a tertiary education in fisheries due to geographical challenges.

“If we are to trace the location of institutions that offer fisheries programs, we have MSU-Naawan, MSU-Marawi, and another one in Dipolog. Di ba layo kaayo? Kinsa may ginikanan mopadala sa iyang anak didto sa layo kaayo? Ang uban sa Visayas pa,” he asked.

Garbanzos told the participants especially the students that the, “intent of this bill is to increase the capacity of the school, enhance the quality of education, and acquire more qualified teachers.”

Department of Education Program Supervisor Blaire Castillon said the department is supportive of this legislative measure.

 “Our government sees the basic needs of the community in putting up a school or a college. There is not doubt that we in the DepEd will support the approval of this bill.” he said.

Barangay Chairman Ruel Pestolante of Poblacion, Linamon, del Norte asserted that he strongly supports the move of Congressman Siao especially that they would greatly benefit in it and he wil lead a signature campaign in the whole municipality of Linamon in support of the bill.

Finally, Garbanzos added that the bill will have wider implications, especially for Iligan City and its neighboring districts, which are also working on their development pursuits.

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