PANABO CITY, Philippines — The state-owned Davao del Norte State College here will start to operate an extension school in Barangay Sto. Niño in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on September 26 after the Commission on Higher Education XI granted approval to offer Diploma in Agriculture Technology.
“What we are doing is to help provide access to quality tertiary education for the Lumad communities of Talaingod. The provincial government together with the LGU, the DNSC and other support agencies have manifested their intent to really help to start this program,” said CHED Regional Director Director Alvarez.
The CHED official urged the provincial government of Davao del Norte to construct two additional classrooms and provide sufficient facilities so that it will be compliant to the agency’s program requirements.
“There is provision of a bigger and a better facility together with the provincial government through Governor Anthony del Rosario, who was in the first place very instrumental for making this a reality together with Mayor [Basilio Libayao],” Alvarez said.
The plan to open an extension school in Talaingod was a result of the 2015 Strategic Planning Workshop initiated by the provincial government and Davao del Norte State College-Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNSC-DNLI). The workshop was attended also by Lumad leaders and other community stakeholders.
A survey conducted by the state-owned college showed that of the total IP population in Talaingod, 34 percent finished elementary, 17 percent finished secondary course, while only 10 percent could reach tertiary level.
Out of the 10 percent, only 6 percent could finish college level.
Based on the information provided by the provincial government, 40 Lumad students have signified their interest to enroll in DNSC’s extension school.
Sonnyboy Salanggoy, a Lumad youth in Talaingod, expressed hope that the school will be able to provide them a continuous education.
“We need a college here so that we don’t need to go far in order to study. Transportation is costly,” he said.
Salanggoy said he hopes majority of the Lumad people will be able to finish their studies.
The provincial government said that all Lumad students will be given a full scholarship grant under the Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation.
Meanwhile, Gov. Anthony Del Rosario pledged to construct two classrooms and a laboratory in DNSC campus in this city. (davaotoday.com)
