MAKILALA, North Cotabato, June 28 (PNA) — On its second year of operation, the Makilala Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), North Cotabato’s first free college education managed by a local government, has become the home of poor students who could not afford college education, officials said.
Mayor Rudy Caoagdan of Makilala said the college was considered by many poor residents of Makilala who were underprivileged due to financial constraints and poverty as a “blessing.”
According to Dr. Gerry Rigonan, MIST school president, out of the total 1,354 enrollees of MIST, 628 are first year students, 551 are second year and 175 students are taking vocational courses at Makilala Vocational Technical Skills Training Center.
The MIST enrollment profile showed that 372 students are taking Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor in Public Administration – 68, Bachelor in Computer Technology – 173, Diploma in Midwifery – 25, Bachelor in Agriculture Technology – 268 and 75 students taking up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
During the parents and students orientation of MIST last Saturday, parents and students showed how grateful they were for the efforts of the government to provide free education in its “real sense.”
Ambrosio Alipis and Rolly Laniohan, some of the parents of second year students from Barangay New Israel, said the LGU-run educational institution gave them hope that poverty is not a hindrance for poor parents like them.
“Mayor Caoagdan’s efforts in founding MIST was laudable and worthy of support as it answers the heart cry of every parents in educating their children, particularly more so with those in dire economic situation,” Alipis said in Filipino.
Three students from Barangay Luayon could not contain emotions as they described gratefulness and appreciation after having been chosen as recipients of a free college education.
Ivy Puno, Eva Jane Songcolan, and Cherry Mae Aguanan, all first year students, the opportunity given through MIST is indescribable for them coming from a remote barangay of Luayon.
“I never thought I could reach college because of poverty, but this opportunity came as a blessing for them,” Puno said.
The local government funds the college through its educational fund and local budget from the local government.
The college education program of Makilala is being replicated in many localities in North Cotabato where majority of the population belong to agriculture sector. (PNA)