Basilan State College’s budget doubled under 2022 GAA, says Hataman

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The budget for the Basilan State College, which will soon be converted into a state university, was doubled to P233.8 million under the 2022 national budget, House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Thursday.

Hataman said in a statement that the budget for the Basilan State College was increased from P113.1 million, the amount separately approved by both houses of Congress, to P233.8 million that was agreed upon during the bicameral conference committee.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Thursday the 2022 General Appropriations Act, which contains the country’s budget for next year.

“Simula na ito ng conversion ng Basilan State College para maging ganap na State U na. Mas madaming mag-aaral ang makikinabang, mas malaki ang oportunidad sa pag-unlad. Mahaba pa ang tatahakin, pero tuloy-tuloy na ito,” Hataman said.

(This is the start of the Basilan State College’s conversion into a full State U. More students will benefit from this, there will be more opportunities for success. It’s a long way to go but it’s a continuing process.)

READ: Duterte signs P5.024 trillion national budget for 2022

In 2021, Basilan State College’s approved budget amounted to P117.2 million. For 2019 and 2020, the state college received P105.6 million and P105.1 million, respectively, the lawmaker said.

Hataman noted that Duterte signed into law this year Republic Act No. 115544, or an Act Converting the Basilan State College in the City of Isabela into a state university known as the Basilan State University.

“So we are very grateful for this opportunity that we can plan and start a better Basilan State U for the future of our children,” he added.

Hataman explained that the Basilan State College will still need to fulfill some requirements under the rules of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), such as upgrades to its facilities, among others before it becomes a full-fledged state university.

Once CHEd approves its university status, it can then offer more options for higher education. It will also have the mandate to “provide advance education, higher technological, professional and vocational courses, and training in arts and sciences, education, agriculture and industrial fields, management, criminology, maritime, medical education, legal education, non-traditional courses and other relevant fields of study.”

At present, Basilan State College offers several Bachelor of Science and Arts courses, as well as post-graduate education and some non-diploma programs.