More students hoping to enter MCC

CEBU, Philippines — It has been just two weeks since Mandaue City College held its graduation rites, yet another batch of incoming freshmen are now eagerly hoping to secure one of the 500 slots for admission to the college.

Yesterday, senior high school graduates, some accompanied by their parents, crowded the Mandaue City Hall seeking endorsements from the office of City Councilor Malcolm Sanchez.

The endorsement from Sanchez, chairman of the Committee on Education, would help them secure a guarantee letter for possible admission to MCC for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year.

Sanchez, who addressed the aspiring students and their parents in the hallway of the City Hall shortly after the regular session yesterday morning, clarified that the endorsement letter he will issue doesn’t guarantee admission to MCC.

He asked for their understanding and clarified that the college can only accommodate 500 freshmen for the upcoming school year.

“There is a limit nga atong kuhaon, ang guarantee letter nga akong i-issue is not a guarantee nga makasud mo,” Sanchez told the students and parents.

Sanchez later told reporters in an interview that his office received endorsement requests from more than 500 individuals, largely due to MCC’s free tuition offer, which attracted a high number of applicants.

The Mandaue City Government currently shoulders the expenses, which is why students enjoy free tuition.

Aside from the free tuition, Sanchez said that all of MCC’s programs are certified by the Commission on Higher Education, which ensures quality education and produces competent graduates.

He said MCC prioritizes Mandaue City residents, which is one of the basic admission requirements.

Sanchez said most of those seeking endorsements from his office did not pass the college’s entrance examination. Once the application is considered, Sanchez said they will undergo another round of examinations and interviews.

He noted that conducting another set of examinations is an additional expense for the city government.

Additionally, Sanchez emphasized that the final decision on who gets accepted rests with the MCC administration and its academic council.

As of now, Sanchez said that over 300 applicants have passed the entrance exam for the upcoming school year and are scheduled for interviews and medical clearance processing.

He pointed out that the limited number of available slots is due to a shortage of classrooms and qualified teachers.

“Og naa g’yud tay daghang classrooms, pwede na nato sila ma-accommodate,” said Sanchez.

Last academic year, Sanchez recalled that only about 150 students approached his office for endorsement, far fewer than this year’s numbers.

He said that last time, all 150 students who appealed for endorsement were admitted because only 400 students passed the entrance exam. Meanwhile, the MCC academic council likewise convened to give more students a chance to enroll.

However, Sanchez said that the city will no longer be able to do the same this year.

“Karon with the number of students nga nagkadaghan, we cannot do that g’yud,” said Sanchez.

Annabelle Chavez, a resident of Barangay Labogon and mother of one of the aspirants, said the free tuition offer of MCC will be a huge help.

Despite the number of students who requested endorsement letters, Chavez hopes her son, Cenando Chavez, will be among those qualified to proceed to college.

“Maninguha lang gihapon ko na makapasar lang aron makaskwela og college,” said Chavez.

She also shared that enrolling in a private institution is demanding.

“Lisod, kay way ikabayad. Ari ra mi sa public bahala’g hasol,” Chavez said, adding that the only thing she would have to spend for is fare.

Meanwhile, Senior High School graduate and MCC aspirant Christian Tagluco, who wishes to study Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Marketing, hopes for admission by striving to excel in the interview.

“Pray ra g’yud nga sa interview ra guro mubawi,” said Tagluco.

He said their financial instability is a major concern regarding his education.

Tagluco said if he is not accepted, he will have to take a year off from his studies.

“If wala na g’yud chance, maybe next year na lang g’yud,” Tagluco said. —  Giane Kate Pilapil, CNU intern (FREEMAN)