The Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, led by Senator Joel Villanueva, formally approved House Bill No. 7537 for the establishment of campuses of the Davao Del Norte State College (DNSC) in the municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas, and in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), which was authored by Rep. Alan “Aldu” R. Dujali of the 2nd District of Davao del Norte.

In his speech, Cong. Dujali said this bill will fulfill the desire of “providing accessible, affordable education especially to these three local government units (LGUs) (Carmen, Sto. Tomas, and IGACOS).”

In its preliminary assessment, Maricar Casquejo, Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education-Region XI, supported the proposed establishment of the satellite campuses as she believes this “will open doors and give some opportunities to poor but deserving students whose parents cannot afford to send their children to college.” She added that the proposed sites “have potentials since LGUs are supportive, facilities are available and there are enrollees.”