PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The dormitory buildings of Palawan State University (PSU) will welcome 120 incoming female freshmen students in the next school year to house those residing in distant towns of the province.
PSU dorm manager Mary Juris Joy Ednilao said the university will prioritize students who do not have the capability to live outside the campus through a selection process. PSU sees the need to assist freshmen as they are yet to familiarize themselves with the main campus.
“Meron silang form na fi-fill out’n ‘yong mga bata tapos kung makikita namin na wala silang capability o willing sila tumira inside the university; at talaga naman sila ay nanggaling sa malayong munisipyo na nag-aaral sa main at wala halos kamag-anak dito na matirahan, sila siguro ‘yong ipa-prioritize natin,” she said.
PSU has an existing dormitory that can house 100 students and was originally intended for male students.
However, the university observed a higher need for female dormitories to secure their welfare, especially at night.
This dormitory is now undergoing a fixing and cleaning stage to prepare it for the incoming school year. The management is also looking into the installation of an internet connection to meet the needs of students in their studies.
In addition, non-government organizations Angat Pinas, Inc., and Rotary Club Makati recently donated a dormitory building with a capacity of 20 students to PSU.
Rotary Club Makati president Senen Matoto said that the project also aims to pave the way for other organizations to support the needs of students at the university, particularly for dormitories.
“Somehow, we will find our way to looking at the possibility of providing dormitories for male students—being able to uplift those students who, first of all, need help. The dormitory is not enough to support all 21,000 (students) it is meant to provide assistance to those who need it the most,” he said.
It is the fourth joint dormitory of Angat Pinas, Inc., and the Rotary Club, which project pilots at Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, according to Atty. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, chair and president of the non-profit organization.
The selection process will start once results are released for accepted incoming students at PSU.
“Hindi na mahihirapan ‘yong parents from other municipalities na mag-send ng mga anak nila rito sa city plus ‘yong assurance na magiging safe ‘yong anak nila kasi gusto rin namin magkaroon ng communication sa mga magulang,” Ednilao added.
The fees for dormitories will be assessed upon approval to consider the possible expenses, such as utilities and personnel. The payment would be “very minimal” and would not burden the students, saif Ednilao,
It will also help students if there are two or three additional dormitory buildings with 100 capacity each in the future to cater to a larger number of students from outside Puerto Princesa City, she added.
“Nabanggit kanina na nasa 21,000 ang ating population at meron pa tayong med school. Gusto nga namin sana na ‘yong med school ay may hiwalay din silang dormitory na para sa kanila lang. Hopefully ay madagdagan ang mga dormitory natin,” she said. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
