THE OCCIDENTAL Mindoro State College has been converted into a state university.

President Rodrigo Duterte in July signed Republic Act 11857 renaming OMSC to Occidental Mindoro State University.

Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato, the author of the measure, said that students in the province will now have easier access to education.

“Having a state university in the province would be favorable to our students. They do not need to move to the capital region to earn their college degree; they can enroll here and get the same quality of education that higher learning institutions provide in Metro Manila,” Sato said.

She added that families will save money if students stayed on the island because their parents will no longer have to pay for their lodging.

Sato thanked her colleagues in the House of Representatives and senators for passing the bill.