Mandaue City College Secures CHED Institutional Recognition, Paving Way for Student Subsidies
Students in Mandaue City are poised to benefit from enhanced access to government education subsidies following a significant development at Mandaue City College. The institution has successfully secured Institutional Recognition (IR) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a move confirmed by officials that could unlock vital financial support for learners.
CHED Emphasizes Conditional Nature of Recognition
Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, CHED Regional Director for Central Visayas, underscored that the granting of Institutional Recognition is a pivotal achievement but not a permanent guarantee. "This is something we always emphasize to our education champions that Institutional Recognition is not forever," Dayagbil stated. "If we see that quality is no longer maintained, whether in terms of qualified administrators, faculty, or student outcomes, we will have to talk to the institution. And if they still fail to comply, CHED will issue warnings."
Despite this caution, Dayagbil expressed confidence in Mandaue City College's ability to sustain its standards, citing robust support from local leaders and school officials. "From what we are observing, the mayor and the congresswoman are both strong advocates of education. With Dr. Joey Rivamonte leading the institution, we are confident that quality will be maintained," she added.
Recognition as Gateway to UniFast Financial Assistance
The Institutional Recognition serves as a critical prerequisite for accreditation under the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFast), which provides financial aid to students. However, Dayagbil clarified that final approval for UniFast support does not rest solely with CHED. "UniFast has its own board, so it's not entirely our call," she explained. "What we did was coordinate so that the application can be submitted immediately. Once submitted, UniFast will handle the processing. As to when it will be approved, we cannot say yet, but we will continue to help facilitate."
Dayagbil also highlighted the rigorous process involved in securing Institutional Recognition, which requires colleges to first obtain Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC) for their courses before undergoing further evaluation by CHED's central offices.
Local Officials Celebrate Long-Awaited Breakthrough
In Mandaue City, local officials welcomed the development as a long-awaited breakthrough. Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano noted that the college had been disqualified over the past three years, making this year's approval particularly meaningful. "For the last three years, Mandaue City College was disqualified. But this year, through the collective effort of CHED, the college, our local government, and Congresswoman Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, our request for Institutional Recognition was finally approved," Ouano said.
He described the development as a major milestone for the city, emphasizing education as a top priority. "We believe that education should start early. We want Mandaue to remain a capable and competitive city, and this is a big part of that vision," he added.
Ouano revealed that the city has allocated approximately P40 million as a subsidy, shouldered by the Mandaue City Government, to help cover students' tuition fees at Mandaue City College. "This is a big help for our students and their families," he stated.
He also mentioned that while the city plans to begin construction of the college by midyear, some funds may be temporarily redirected to address urgent needs such as rising fuel costs and waste management expenses. "We are looking at possibly reallocating some funds to support current concerns like our increasing hauling costs and fuel hikes, including subsidies for transportation," he added.
Gratitude and Collaboration Highlighted
Representative Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon expressed gratitude to CHED and highlighted the recognition's impact on families. "We are very grateful to CHED, especially to Dr. Dayagbil, for supporting and facilitating the approval of our Institutional Recognition," she said. "This is a huge achievement for Mandaue City. It gives hope and relief not only to students but also to parents and guardians, especially when it comes to paying tuition."
She underscored the importance of cooperation between local and national government units. "When the local and national governments work together, the chances of progress for our city become much greater," she added.
Dr. Joey U. Rivamonte, President of Mandaue City College, assured the public that the institution will uphold academic standards moving forward. "We will continue to maintain and sustain quality education at Mandaue City College," Rivamonte said. "We are also very thankful to our congresswoman and mayor for their consistent support from the beginning."
As the college advances with its UniFast application, officials remain hopeful that the recognition will soon translate into tangible financial support for students, bringing Mandaue City closer to its goal of accessible and quality education for all.
