30 SUCs form alliance vs poverty

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — Thirty presidents representing state universities and colleges across the country formed an alliance to fight poverty during the ceremonies marking the 32nd anniversary program of the Pangasinan State University (PSU) here recently.

Commissioner William Medrano of the Commission on Higher Education led the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) of the State Universities and Colleges Alliance for Income Generation and Alleviation on Poverty (SUC-4-IGAP).

Medrano, also chair-designate of the PSU Governing Board, said the alliance is the SUCs’ response to the present administration’s call to help alleviate poverty among poor Filipinos.

The SUCs would launch various programs and projects that would cater to the poor like granting of scholarships, building of classrooms and other socio-civic activities.

Medrano thanked all the SUC presidents and representatives who heeded the call. He said he is proud and happy to be with people who have high regard for education.

Among the schools that signed the MOU were: the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Mariano Marcos State University, Pangasinan State University and the University of Northern Philippines for Region 1.

The state universities of Batanes, Isabela and Quirino for Region 2; agricultural colleges of Bulacan and Pampanga for Region 3; universities of Aklan and Partido, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, Camarines Norte State College, Dr Emilio Espinosa Memorial State College and Sorsogon State College for Region 5.

Western Philippines University for Region 6; Bohol Island State University and Siquijor College for Region 7; Universities of Sultan Kudarat and Southern Mindanao and Cotabato State College for Region 12; and the state universities and colleges of Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and  Mt. Province for the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

Other SUCs also expressed their desire to be part of the alliance but were not able to make it to the event.