CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has officially handed over the certification for institutional recognition to Mandaue City College (MCC), to provide quality and accessible education to the students of the city.
The Institutional Recognition (IR) certificate, given by CHED Central Visayas Head Dr. Filomena Dayagbil, officially acknowledges the MCC as a higher education institution by virtue of the Commission en banc Resolution No. 058-2026.
City Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano expressed his gratitude to CHED officials for facilitating the approval of the certification after three years of pending recognition.
“For the last three years, DQ man gyud ‘to ang Mandaue City College, then fortunately this year, the collective effort of CHED and the college and LGU, nadayon na gyud,” said Ouano.
As part of the city’s priority programs, Ouano added that the college is set to begin construction within the first half of the year as funding is already available.
“We believe na education should be started early pa kay we want our Mandaue to remain a capable and competitive city,” he noted.
Dayagbil also clarified that the certificate is not permanent and is subject to revocation once maintenance of quality education is not sustained.
“For example, in terms of qualified administrators, the faculty, and student outcomes. So amo pud na storyaan ang institution. Walang forever kung dili ma-maintain ang quality,” she said.
Dayagbil added that institutions that do not comply after being reprimanded may face warnings from CHED before revocation of the certificate is considered.
However, she conveyed her confidence that the MCC, together with the help of the city government, will be able to retain its academic standards.
“We are really observing the mayor and congresswoman, mga champions man ‘ni sila sa education. So, we are confident nga ang quality ma-retain,” she said.
On the college’s Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) application, Dayagbil is also optimistic that the college will meet the requirements, urging the immediate submission of documents on Monday.
“We will just look into it. I will also help in facilitating, mo-call sad ko gamay kung kamusta na,” she said, noting that she would assist in monitoring the application once submitted.
The IR is one of the requirements for the college to qualify for the tuition subsidies under UniFAST.
Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon described the college’s recognition as an achievement of students and families of the city. “Damgo ‘ni nga maghatag og hope and relief nila, labi na bayranan sa ilang tuition fee,” she said. She also acknowledged the cooperation between the local and national government units that helped in the approval of the recognition.
“Nindot man gud ‘ni kaayo karon nga the local government and national government, magkahiusa gani, mas taas ang posibilidad nga mas progressive ang atong dakbayan sa Mandaue,” she added.
For his part, MCC Administrator, Dr. Joey Rivamonte, affirmed that the college will remain committed to ensuring academic quality. “We will maintain and sustain the quality education at MCC,” he said.
| Written by Lynda Katherine Mecaros, UP Cebu Intern/RAE
