2 laws convert agri colleges into state universities

MANILA, Philippines -President Aquino has signed new laws converting two agricultural colleges in Iloilo and Pampanga into state universities.

Aquino signed Republic Act 10604 converting the Iloilo College of Fisheries in Barotac Nuevo into a state university to be known as Iloilo State University of Science and Technology with its main campus located in Ilaya Poblacion.

The President also signed RA 10605 converting the Pampanga Agricultural College into Pampanga State Agricultural University. Its main campus is located in Magalang town.

The laws were signed by the President on June 11.

Aquino has recently signed several laws creating new state colleges and universities to provide more poor students access to tertiary education.

“All these new laws have a section that stipulates that conversions become final only upon approval by CHED (Commission on Higher Education) which requires the HEIs (higher education institutions) meet the minimum standards for a university,” CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan told The STAR.

“Until then they maintain their present status,” she said.