MisOcc prioritizes education: Governor Oaminal's commitment to youth development

 

Misamis Occidental—Governor Henry Oaminal is dedicated to ensuring that the youth of Misamis Occidental receive the educational opportunities they deserve.

He has announced several initiatives and strategies to support and prioritize Misamisnon students in their pursuit of higher education.

Governor Oaminal highlighted the significance of Tangub City as an education center in Northern Mindanao. He noted that out of 1,800 learners from Lanao Del Norte who took the admission exam at Northwestern Mindanao State College (NMSC), the college can currently accommodate only 2,400 learners.

"The leaders of Misamis Occidental have made it a priority to ensure that Misamisnon students are given priority enrollment at NMSC," Governor Oaminal announced.

The Governor discussed the "Asenso Pamilya: One Family, One Professional" program, which was launched to provide financial assistance to students.

"We initiated the 'Asenso Pamilya' program to support our youth in having a brighter future. Last year, we provided financial assistance to more than 3,200 grantees, covering tuition fees, board and lodging, transportation, supplies, and other expenses, with a limit of P25,000 per student," he explained.

Governor Oaminal emphasized the importance of creating a supportive environment for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

"Our government will continue to build partnerships and leverage resources to create a supportive environment where our youth can thrive."

However, he acknowledged the limitations of the provincial government's resources. "We allocated P100 million, which is only sufficient for 3,200 grantees. While we want to expand the program, our resources are limited."

To address these limitations, Governor Oaminal announced a new strategy: "We are holding meetings with Misamisnon students who passed the NMSC entrance exam to ensure they get priority enrollment. We know that sending a child to college is expensive, so we are exploring ways to reduce costs by encouraging enrollment in government state colleges and universities."

Reflecting on his tenure as Congressman, Governor Oaminal shared how he sponsored a bill to upgrade the status of NMSC from a college to a university, known as the University of Northwestern Mindanao, under Republic Act No. 11186, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte on January 10, 2019.

"I fought for this upgrade because I believe it is the right thing for our youth," he said.

Governor Oaminal announced that the NMSC is on track to achieve university status by September, requiring a minimum enrollment of 6,000 students.

 "Currently, NMSC has 3,600 students from second to fourth year. With 3,932 passers from the entrance examination, we need 2,400 more enrollees to meet the requirement."

“To accommodate the influx of students, additional classrooms and teachers are needed. "The budget approved last year only supports 4,000 students. To accommodate the additional 2,400 students, we need over P14 million for teachers and rooms. Our provincial government has committed P19,142,500 to cover these needs," Governor Oaminal announced.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approving an ordinance to appropriate these funds, emphasizing that these efforts are for the benefit of Misamisnon students.

"This funding comes from the people's taxes, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our students receive the support they need."

Governor Oaminal's commitment to prioritizing education and youth development underscores his dedication to the future of Misamis Occidental. Through strategic planning and resource allocation, he aims to provide every Misamisnon student with the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.(SN/PGMO)

 

Empowering 2,338 first-year college students from Misamis Occidental who are benefiting from the expanded 'Asenso Pamilya' Education program, initiated by Governor Henry Oaminal, is making a significant impact.