In a pivotal first meeting today, February 17, key officials from Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Caibiran gathered at BiPSU Office of the President Convergence to discuss the establishment of an external BiPSU campus in the Municipality of Caibiran. 

This follows the announcement by BiPSU President Dr. Victor Catigbe Cañezo, Jr. during his recently held State of the University Address (SUA) on February 14.

Dr. Victor Catigbe Cañezo, Jr., President of BiPSU, led the university’s delegation, which included Vice Presidents Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Dr. Susan S. Bentor, Engr. Vivencio A. Pelesco, and Dr. Roland A. Niez, along with University Board Secretary, Dr. Ralph Arvic Arcenal, University Media and Information Director Apple Joy Balondo-Visitacion and representatives from the university Research Office, including Phia Jane M. Llesis, and Sheila C. Torregoza. 

Moreover, thirteen (13) key officials from LGU Caibiran attended the said meeting, led by Municipal Mayor Hon. Rhodessa D. Revita, along with Vice-Mayor Linda Vermug Baleyos, SB Secretary Emmanuel Colantro Jr.; Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO)  Albert Brian C. Peñaflor; SB member, Chair on Education, Hon. Antonio M. Lee; Municipal Engineer, Engr. Teodoro V. Cañete, Jr.; Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Rosalie O. Chu; Municipal Tourism Officer Nuyen Ria Borqueta; Public Employment Services Officer, Kervinhex C. Nartea; Vic R. Viros; Floresca S. Delante; and Irah Emilor S. Pilapil, executive assistant to the municipal mayor.   

During the meeting, Dr. Cañezo outlined BiPSU’s goal of addressing the local community’s educational needs by establishing a satellite campus in Caibiran, which also aims to provide greater access to quality higher education not only for residents of the municipality but also to neighboring towns.

BiPSU president highlighted five key requirements for the external campus establishment which includes; feasibility study and needs assessment, legislative sponsorship and advocacy, stakeholder consultation, organizational and operational planning, and compliance with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) COPC standards. 

Dr. Cañezo stressed the importance of conducting a thorough feasibility study, with the support of LGU Caibiran, to clearly demonstrate why Caibiran is the ideal location for the new campus. 
This campus project will also require legislative sponsorship, and Mayor Revita announced that she has already secured full support from Hon. Gerardo J. Espina, Jr., the representative of the lone district of Biliran.

Meanwhile, the success of the project depends on the support of local stakeholders, making it important to hold consultations with them. The local government also needs to secure plans for the campus, including its location, infrastructure, and operations. Initial plans for the campus include offering programs not available at the Naval Campus, such as those related in Arts and Sciences, Information Technology (IT), and Social Work, with a focus on ensuring all programs meet CHED accreditation standards.

The discussion also addressed challenges such as recruiting qualified faculty members, particularly those holding a Master’s degree, as well as the development of classroom facilities, libraries, and IT infrastructure. 

Mayor Revita also reiterated her strong support for the campus project, emphasizing the importance of IT-related programs, given the growing demand for ICT professionals in the region. She even highlighted the presence of the Information and Communications Technology High School of Eastern Biliran in the municipality, noting that the establishment of a BiPSU campus offering these programs would significantly strengthen the local workforce and contribute to the economic development of the LGU.

Dr. Cañezo emphasized that the establishment of an external BiPSU campus in Caibiran is a step in addressing the educational needs of the municipality and expanding access to higher education for local residents. 

“BiPSU has seen a growing number of applicants, in fact, this year we received  over 5,000 applications for the upcoming school year,” remarked Cañezo. 

This new campus plan, he noted, would help meet the increasing demand for educational opportunities not only in Caibiran but also with plans to extend services to other municipalities, including Kawayan.

The BiPSU team agreed to work on focal committees and set a follow-up coordination visit to Caibiran, in March 2025, to further discuss the project and visit potential campus sites. 

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[This article aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education]