CAMALIG Community College (Caloy Baldo FB)
LEGAZPI CITY – The municipality of Camalig in Albay is now accepting enrollees after opening its first-ever community college, following its approval by the Commission on Higher Education.
The new institution aims to provide local students with greater access to higher education through tuition-free and industry-aligned programs.
The Camalig Community College (CComC) will initially offer a Bachelor of Engineering Technology major in Construction Engineering Technology, a program selected based on a survey of prospective students.
In an interview on Wednesday, Tim Florece, head of the Camalig Public Information Office, said the degree program emerged as the top choice among incoming students and is expected to address the growing demand for technical professionals while providing a unique academic offering in Albay.
He said future academic programs will likewise be aligned with the Bachelor of Engineering Technology track and will complement, rather than duplicate, courses already offered by nearby local colleges and universities.
"We will again assess the next programs to be proposed to CHED. We want them to remain aligned with Engineering Technology because no other institution in Albay currently offers this. We also do not intend to propose programs already being offered by nearby local colleges," he said.
To ensure access to higher education, Florece said the local government has committed to providing free tuition for enrolled students.
He added that the ordinance establishing CComC mandates the allocation of P9 million annually from the municipal government for the college's operations.
The college is also working to comply with the requirements of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education to further strengthen student support.
"There is still a lot of work to be done, but we will continue complying with the requirements," he said.
Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. said the establishment of the municipality's first college is expected to generate long-term benefits by creating more educational and employment opportunities, reducing education-related expenses for families, and enhancing the skills and competencies of Camalig residents.
He said the presence of the college could also stimulate the local economy through increased business activity, including the establishment of eateries, boarding houses, and school supply stores near the campus.
Interested students are advised to visit the Camalig Community College campus in Salugan for updates and enrollment information.
Classes are expected to start in August, with the college able to accommodate more than 100 students in its initial intake. (PNA)