Palompon school now a state university

CEBU, Philippines - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III signed it into law a bill authored by Leyte’s 4th district Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez converting the Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) into the Palompon Polytechnic State University (PPSU) last June 5.

Republic Act 10599, which now takes effect 15 days after newspaper publication, allows PPSU to offer “non-traditional courses” as deemed necessary by its board of regents. It also provides for the election of a new president to run the state university, replacing the incumbent who is yet to serve in an interim capacity.

The conversion of PIT into a public university has long been the dream of the town residents as the school can now expand its course offerings. The former PIT was one of the country’s premier maritime institutions that produced thousands of seafarers so far. It has been said that every family in town has a mariner in the household.

Mayor Ramon Onate told The Freeman he was happy for the insistence of Lucy to convert PIT because it brought prestige to the town as the home of the only university in the 4th district. In July last year, when a moratorium on the creation of new universities was declared, Lucy persisted in passing the bill for approval.  (FREEMAN)