House committee approves bills to convert BukSU satellite campuses into regular campuses

The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved on first reading two measures seeking to convert several Bukidnon State University (BukSU) satellite campuses in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental into regular campuses.

House Bill (HB) 236, authored by Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Audrey Tan-Zubiri, and HB 595, filed by Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Vicente Emano, were endorsed by the panel on Tuesday.

Both bills propose the conversion of existing 15 satellite campuses across Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental into full campuses with corresponding budget allocations.

The campuses covered under the measures are in Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Malitbog, Impasugong, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Quezon, Kitaotao, Damulog, Kadingilan, and Kalilangan in Bukidnon, and in Alubijid, Talisayan, and Medina in Misamis Oriental. The bills will next move to the plenary for second reading, debate, and amendments.

Zubiri said the proposal is intended to expand access to higher education and support rural communities.

“House Bill 236 strikes at the very heart of inclusive national development. A measure that seeks to democratize access to quality higher education and empower our rural communities to build a better future through knowledge, opportunity, and resilience,” she told the committee.

She added that BukSU currently has more than 10,000 students and ranks 161st out of 1,253 universities worldwide in the WURI ranking. The university also placed within the 801-1000 bracket in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, among the Philippine universities listed in the global assessment.

The lawmaker noted that the satellite campuses, which serve about 6,000 students, remain under central administration of BukSU, limiting decisions on curriculum, budgets, infrastructure, and faculty. She said granting them regular campus status would allow operational independence and direct budgetary control.

Emano said the legislation aims to provide more opportunities for students in Misamis Oriental. “The wish is our next generation will be given good education so that they will be able to take advantage of the opportunities that will be coming to Misamis Oriental,” he said. He added that converting the campuses would allow them to receive more funds, courses, and resources.

“Bukidnon State University reaffirms its mission of providing quality, affordable, and accessible education in Northern Mindanao,” said BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol.

Mirasol said the legislation would strengthen institutional capacity and expand academic offerings. “We respectfully seek your support for these measures as they align with the Philippine Development Plan, Ambisyon Natin 2040, and the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said. (BukSU-Information Unit)