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Approved by both houses of Congress, the proposed institution will offer courses in agriculture, fisheries, education, engineering, marine studies, arts and sciences
SARANGANI, Philippines — Just before the 19th Congress adjourned in June, the Senate approved on final reading its version of the bill that seeks to establish Sarangani’s first-ever state-funded college.
On June 9, senators passed their version of House Bill 10622, which proposes the creation of the Sarangani State College in the provincial capital, Alabel. The measure is sponsored by Sarangani Representative Steve Solon in the House and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in the Senate.
The proposed college would offer degree programs in agriculture, fisheries, education, engineering, marine studies, and the arts and sciences.
The measure will, however, not move forward for now. The bicameral conference committee failed to meet before 19th Congress adjourned, halting efforts to reconcile the House and Senate versions. The House approved and transmitted its version of the bill on August 8, 2024.
The bill must be refiled in the 20th Congress, and Solon, who has been reelected, says he will do exactly that.
Rise in high school graduates expected
The initiative, led by then-vice mayor Ronnel Español in 2022, was originally for a community college funded by the local government. It progressed into seeking to be state-funded.
Sarangani is one of the few provinces in the Philippines without a state-funded higher education institution. At present, there is only one local government-funded tertiary school in the province.
“We are expecting a significant rise in high school graduates in Sarangani,” said Solon. “The number that DepEd (Department of Education) Sarangani has given me is 8,621, and there is only one state university near our province — which is in General Santos City [in South Cotabato].”
Despite the legislative delay, groundwork for the college’s physical development is ongoing.
“Mayor [Vic] Salarda has already identified and prepared a site for the college,” engineer Gerald Faciol, Solon’s chief of staff, said in Cebuano.
Operations to start in 2-3 years
However, full operations may take time. Senator Cayetano noted that, once the bill becomes law, it may take two to three years before the college becomes fully operational.
The college can only begin admitting students and finalizing its academic programs once a board of trustees has been convened.
“Our intention here is to provide free, quality education that is easily accessible, not just for Sarangani residents but also for students from nearby provinces, as much as possible,” Faciol said.
“We still see many students in Alabel, especially from indigenous peoples communities, who are unable to enroll. This planned state college is hoped to help address that gap, particularly for the small percentage of IP students who currently make it to college,” he said.
During the Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting in Alabel on June 18, Mayor Salarda presented the plan for the college to seek the council’s endorsement.
Earlier in 2025, the regional social development committee of the Region 12 RDC passed a resolution supporting the Sarangani State College Bill. – Rappler.com
Rey Mark Paran is a 2025 Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow.
