COMMISSION on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero De Vera III has been officially recognized as an adopted son of Masbate.

Through Masbate Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 020 Series of 2025, Vice Governor Elisa “Olga” Y. Kho conferred the honorary title on De Vera in recognition of his significant contributions to promoting academic excellence in the province’s higher education institutions.

This is in recognition of his significant contributions to the promotion of academic excellence in the higher education institutions in the province particularly in ensuring academic development in Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology in Mandaon.

DEBESMSCAT is the sole state university and college in Masbate and the key institution in delivering free and quality higher education to Masbateño students.

“Maraming salamat, Masbate sa pagkilalang ito. Makakaasa kayo na tuloy-tuloy ang aking suporta at serbisyo upang masiguradong mabibigyan ng libre at dekalidad na edukasyon ang mga kapatid kong Masbateños,” De Vera said.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Secretary Popoy sa kanyang tulong at suporta sa mga higher education institution ng Masbate. As my former mentor in UP NCPAG, I know that Secretary Popoy has so much insights kung paano namin mas improve ang edukasyon at turismo ng probinsya,” Kho said.

The recognition was given during the three-day visit of Secretary De Vera to Masbate for the TES Congress, dialogue with private HEIs of Masbate,  and Awarding of the CHED Institutional Development and Innovation Grant to DEBESMSCAT.

CHED granted DEBESMCAT an CHED-IDIG project amounting to P10,000,000 to upgrade their equipment and facilities for the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology.

The CHED Regional Office V is also assisting DEBESMSCAT in the development of educational tourism programs in the province.

Currently, there are 10,932 TES and TDP grantees from private and public universities in Masbate.