MALITA, Davao Occidental (PIA) – A state-run college in Davao Occidental recently established an extension campus in a coastal town in the province, making higher education more accessible to students in remote areas.
The Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) has marked a significant milestone with the inauguration and blessing of its new extension campus in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos.
“This new campus stands as a beacon of hope for the community, offering local students the chance to attain higher education without the need to travel far from home,” stated SPAMAST president Dr. Lynette A. Bontia.
Bontia extended gratitude to former congresswoman and current Vice-Governor Lorna Bautista-Bandigan of Davao Occidental, saying “Through her efforts and congressional insertion, funding for the campus was secured, making the construction and eventual opening of the facility possible.”
Bautista-Bandigan said that the establishment of the SPAMAST extension campus is “vital not only for the educational advancement of the people in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos and its neighboring areas, but also to provide the best opportunities to our people to improve their quality of life.”
She said the improvement of SPAMAST was inspired by the vision of her late father and founder of SPAMAST, former Congressman Benjamin V. Bautista, Sr.
“This project has been a long-time aspiration of our people in this municipality, as they desire to provide a higher level of education for their children, giving them the opportunity for better employment in the future,” the vice-governor said.
Bautista-Bandigan added that the extension campus is an efficient means to make the learners and the community, be more productive and actively participate in their economic prosperity and cultural development, thus, building up a more sustainable and progressive future.
The local government unit of Jose Abad Santos also expressed its appreciation and support.
Engr. Jonathan S. Dapar, Jr. who represented Mayor Jason John Joyce, has urged the students to take full advantage of the opportunity to pursue and complete their degrees now that higher education is more accessible within their locality.
The extension campus features a newly-constructed academic building with a dormitory. (CLC/PIA Davao Occidental/SPAMAST)
