THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading a bill aiming to convert into a regular campus the current extension campus of the Eastern Samar State University or ESSU in Arteche town, Eastern Samar province.

House Bill 9772 or the proposed Eastern Samar State University-Arteche Campus Act was approved via 222 votes from the lawmakers.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, one of the principal authors of the measure, underscored the bill’s importance, emphasizing its potential impact on educational advancement and regional development.

“This bill signifies a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities in Eastern Samar. The establishment of the ESSU-Arteche Campus will contribute to the human resource development needs of the province and Region VIII,” Romualdez said.

“The proposed law outlines key provisions, including the conversion of the extension campus into a regular campus offering short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez, co-author of the bill said.

She said the campus is expected to focus on competencies and specializations aligned with regional development needs.

She emphasized the importance of the ESSU-Arteche Campus in supporting socio-economic development through research, extension services, and production activities.