THE SENATE Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education has approved measures that will convert two state colleges into state universities.

During the hybrid hearing led by Senator Joel Villanueva, the panel approved House Bill 8111 and Senate Bill 2106 that teachers seek to convert into a state university the Bulacan Agricultural State College and House Bill 8188 and Senate Bill 2120 that will also convert the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur into a state university.

“Like the other local bills that had gone through the scrutiny of this Committee, we support the proposed measures at hand because we believe that they can enhance the value proposition of our public colleges,” Villanueva said.

“We also join the Commission on Higher Education in its consistent position that the operational requirements for a university must be duly complied with before granting a university status,” he added

The Bulacan Agricultural State College has more than 4,000 students.

“Its conversion into a state univeristy will have greater impact in the advancement of higher education and professional development of students in agriculture and allied disciplines,” the bill said.

Meanwhile, the Ilocos Sur Polytechic State College has its main campus in Sta. Maria and extension campuses in the city of Candon and the municipalities of Narvacan, Tagudin, Santiago, and Cervantes.

The university will offer post-secondary technical-vocational programs, baccalaureate programs, and graduate programs, within its areas of competency and specialization.