January 24, 2024 | Written by Czarina Nicole Lara Lanes

PANABO CITY – The Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) of the House of Representatives, chaired by Baguio legislator Mark O. Go, tackled and approved House Bill 8215, an act converting Davao del Norte State College in the City of Panabo, Davao del Norte, into a state university to be known as Davao del Norte State University, and appropriating funds therefor.

The meeting was held on January 22, 2024 where DNSC was represented by College President Joy M. Sorrosa, Vice President for Academic Affairs Girley S. Gumanao, and Vice President for Administration and Finance Reir Erlinda E. Cutad. The bill was sponsored by Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative, Cong. Alan R. Dujali.

In his sponsorship speech, Cong. Aldu emphasized that the state university is a response to, “the growing demand for quality education and for the improvement of the quality of life of the people of Davao del Norte.”

College Pres. Sorrosa was also given time to express her commitment and support to the bill, “This conversion is an honor, a privilege, and a challenge. In the last four years, we’ve been working for universityhood. All our 21 programs, except for two, already have Certificate of Program Compliance from the Commission on Higher Education and we submit our programs to accreditation. Our faculty percentage is compliant to the university requirements, and we have consistently attained our physical targets annually.”

Chair Go advised the college delegation to continue working on the compliance requirements even before presidential action. This measure is implemented to guarantee the College’s adherence to the additional provision prescribed by CHED. According to this recommendation, the initiation of the university’s operations is permissible only upon the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance.

Another provision was recommended by the chair to be emphasized in a section, “that the incumbent college president will become the first university president upon the approval of the conversion.” The bill will be endorsed by the committee for further reading in the House of Representatives.