THE MUNICIPAL government of Alabel is eyeing to establish a community college to allow more youth in Sarangani province to have access in tertiary education.

Mayor Vic Paul Salarda said studies are now underway for the proposed local government-funded college following its presentation to the Local School Board early this month.

“We have created a technical working group composed of local government officials and concerned stakeholders to spearhead efforts for its development,” Salarda said.

“The TWG is tasked to prepare the required documents and proposed programs, and present them later on to the Sangguniang Bayan or municipal council for adoption, he added.

The mayor said local government units are allowed to establish tertiary institutions, as provided in Sections 447, 458, and 468 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

“It will benefit residents of Poblacion, as well as Indigenous Peoples communities in such remote barangays as Datal Anggas, Pag-asa, Paraiso, and Domolok,” he said.

Salarda noted the TWG will coordinate with the Commission on Higher Education for accreditation and recognition.

“We will conduct benchmarking activities in municipalities that have established and currently operating their own colleges,” he added.

Currently, Glan Institute of Technology is the lone government-funded tertiary education in the province.