SENATOR Loren Legarda has filed a measure to convert the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) in Arakan, Cotabato, into a state university.

In her Senate Bill 1858, Legarda emphasized that CFCST has been instrumental in providing tertiary education, technical training, and skills development in the province.

However, she noted that the college’s current status as a state college limits its ability to expand graduate programs, research initiatives, and partnerships with international and industry stakeholders.

Legarda explained that conversion into a state university would allow CFCST to move beyond a primarily teaching-focused role, evolving into a comprehensive center for higher learning, research, and community development, aligned with the long-term human capital and economic priorities of Cotabato.

She further stressed that upgrading CFCST into a state university ensures that people in rural and underserved areas of Cotabato have access to quality higher education, research opportunities, and professional training, comparable to those available in more developed regions.