HOUSE Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Jude Acidre has urged local universities and colleges (LUCs) to prioritize community development and job creation rather than focus solely on expanding their campuses and academic programs.

Speaking at the 2026 National Conference of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) in Manila on Monday, Acidre said local higher education institutions should align their academic offerings with the economic strengths, workforce requirements, and development needs of the communities they serve.

He cited opportunities for agricultural communities to specialize in agribusiness and food processing, coastal areas to develop programs in fisheries and environmental management, and industrial centers to strengthen engineering technology and manufacturing education.

Acidre stressed that the success of local universities and colleges should not be measured solely by institutional growth but also by improvements in student learning, retention, graduation rates, and employment outcomes.

He likewise called for stronger partnerships among LUCs, local government units (LGUs), industries, and other educational institutions to provide students with practical experience and expand employment opportunities within their communities.

During the conference, Acidre also highlighted the House of Representatives’ approval on third and final reading of the proposed Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, which he has championed.

The measure seeks to strengthen institutional governance, academic quality, financial sustainability, and administrative leadership while enabling local universities and colleges to respond more effectively to the specific needs of their communities.

Among its proposed provisions are the adoption of five-year institutional development plans, the establishment of appropriate governing boards, the implementation of leadership selection processes, and stronger coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Acidre said the proposed legislation aims to provide LUCs with the necessary institutional support and governance framework to improve their services, strengthen accountability, and contribute to sustainable community development.

He reaffirmed his commitment to working with ALCU, local governments, CHED, and other higher education stakeholders to advance reforms that promote academic excellence, institutional accountability, and stronger links between education and local economic development.

“The greatest achievement of a local university or college is not simply to become a bigger institution. It is to become an institution that its community can no longer imagine being without,” Acidre said.