The miracle of CPSU

Recently, I was honored to deliver the Keynote Address for the 79th Foundation Anniversary of the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. I also received the Mt. Ballo Legacy Award for my efforts in providing access to quality education for disadvantaged communities.

- POPOY DE VERA

Recently, I was honored to deliver the Keynote Address for the 79th Foundation Anniversary of the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. I also received the Mt. Ballo Legacy Award for my efforts in providing access to quality education for disadvantaged communities.

laccepted the invitation for two reasons: 1) CPSU’s unique and historic presence in the Visayas and 2) to narrate in my own words the miracle of CPSU that other SUCs can only dream of.

Many Filipinos are aware of the Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija. However, many are unaware that a similar topnotch agricultural university was supposed to be established in the Visayas during the American period.

While the CLSU developed into a well-funded, world-class university, the Central Fhilippines State University (CPSU) has been neglected by the national government.

The government allocated 4,653 hectares to CPSU for its teaching, research and extension activities. But 17,523 informal settlers Scoupy 93 percent of the property. Its national funding is less than P700 million in the proposed 2026 NEP.

The lack of government funding is ironic because CPSU is the only public university in the infamous CHICKS (Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan, Sipalay) area, which became a hotbed of insurgency in the Visayas region during the martial law period. It is where famine stalked families in the 1980s due to the collapse of world sugar prices, where Fr. Brian Gore administered to the downtrodden and where Bishop Antonio Fortich led the anti-Marcos movement.