How he brought hope to the youth through accessible education

When the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced the winners of the 2025 Gawad Pagasa Awards, one name carried the pride of Bukidnon State University (BukSU): Dr. Albert A. Villanca, Professor V and Director for Satellite Campuses.

His recognition is more than a personal milestone—it is a tribute to the thousands of students and communities whose lives have been transformed by his vision of inclusive education.

The Gawad Pagasa Award, under the CSC’s Honor Awards Program, is given to individuals or groups whose contributions benefit more than one government department. Villanca’s work perfectly embodies this standard, with impact stretching across education, local governance, and community development.

The Turning Point

In 2015, BukSU’s External Studies Centers faced closure due to policy shifts and resource constraints, displacing more than 5,000 students. When Villanca assumed leadership as Director for Satellite Campuses in 2017, he refused to let higher education slip away from the most underserved students of Mindanao.

“No poor but deserving students from these affected communities shall be deprived of college education,” said Villanca. “I have to find alternatives so they can still be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams of earning a college diploma.”

Villanca began what many thought impossible: transforming study centers into sustainable satellite campuses. His advocacy was clear—quality tertiary education should not be a privilege of urban centers but a right accessible “at the doorsteps” of Indigenous Peoples, working students, solo parents, the elderly, and persons with disabilities

Building Foundations for Access

Through tireless lobbying and collaboration, Villanca secured over ₱1 billion in government funding—₱400 million for operations and ₱600 million for infrastructure. He worked with local government units (LGUs) to obtain 224,076.55 square meters of donated land for 16 campuses, facilitated the creation of 185 plantilla positions approved by the Department of Budget and Management, and ensured 100% compliance with CHED standards for all 30 curricular programs offered.

Today, BukSU’s satellite campuses serve more than 15,000 students, supported by 214 teaching and 108 non-teaching personnel.

Partnerships that Last

Villanca’s leadership thrives on collaboration. He cultivated enduring partnerships with 16 LGUs, securing Memoranda of Agreement that guarantee operational support—from academic buildings to covered courts, dormitories, and scholarships. His approach did more than sustain campuses; it empowered communities to share ownership of education as a driver of local progress.

He also worked closely with Congress, lobbying for bills that would convert these campuses into full-fledged university campuses, ensuring stability and growth for generations to come.

Beyond infrastructure and funding, Villanca is deeply committed to serving the marginalized. Of the students enrolled in satellite campuses, 1,470 come from Indigenous Peoples communities and 1,809 from indigent families. Many are first-generation college students, breaking cycles of poverty and bringing education to places where it was once out of reach.

“As a working student myself during my college days, I was even more inspired to help them pursue their college education,” Villanca shared.

A Model for Service

Villanca’s 19 years of journey at BukSU is proof that public service fueled by vision and persistence can move mountains. By revitalizing BukSU’s satellite campuses, he has not only preserved access to education but also set a benchmark for how institutions can thrive through partnerships, resourcefulness, and a steadfast commitment to the marginalized.

“This recognition is not mine alone but a reflection of the steadfast support from the BukSU administration headed by Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, the ODSC and satellite campuses family, our valued partners and stakeholders, my beloved family, and above all, the grace of Almighty God,” said Villanca. “I humbly dedicate this award to every Filipino student who dreams of a college diploma, in honor of God/Magbabaya, country, and family.”

As the CSC’s campaign for its Honor Awards Program declares: “Puso, Dangal, at Galing Para sa Bayan”—qualities that Dr. Albert Villanca embodies fully, and which continue to inspire the BukSU community and beyond. (Dr. Joanna Ruth S. Paloma, College of Arts and Sciences Faculty)