DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman leads the inauguration of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Building at Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU) on April 2, 2025.
ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), led by Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman, has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure as it spearheaded the inauguration of Phase 1 of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Building at Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU).
The newly constructed ICT building is expected to revolutionize learning in ZPPSU by providing advanced facilities, fostering digital skills, and enhancing research and innovation opportunities for students across the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Secretary Pangandaman emphasized the government’s dedication to equipping students with essential digital competencies.
“This project is a true testament to the university’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and research—the essential foundations of every exemplary academic institution,” she said.
She added “mahalaga po, na bukod sa pagkakaroon ng mahusay na kurikulum at kalidad na pagtuturo, sinasabayan po natin ito ng mga oportunidad sa paggamit ng teknolohiya. That’s how we will be able to produce globally competent professionals.”
(It is important that, in addition to having a well-structured curriculum and quality teaching, we also provide opportunities for the use of technology.)
The ICT building, conceptualized as a four-story facility, includes offices, faculty rooms, classrooms, computer laboratories, auditoriums, and workspaces. It also houses modern digital infrastructure such as internet servers, digital telephone networks, and fixed broadband connections to optimize students’ learning experiences.
The DBM allocated Php24 million under the 2023 General Appropriations Act for the project’s first phase, with an additional Php50 million budgeted for its second phase under the 2025 national budget.
ZPPSU President Dr. Nelson Cabral expressed deep gratitude for the DBM’s support, acknowledging the transformative impact of the new ICT building on the university and its students.
“Without DBM, none of the projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula would be achieved. Ngayon, 2025. We have to give priority to our students because the institution will not exist without them. Aside from that, of course, the next priority is the dormitory. We know our Secretary has a heart for education, and with the help of DBM, we can continue to provide the best for our students,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure development, DBM underscored its broader vision of digital transformation in higher education, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for digitalization as a key driver of national progress.
Secretary Pangandaman assured ZPPSU and other state universities in Mindanao of continuous government support in strengthening educational facilities to produce highly skilled graduates ready to contribute to the country’s development. (EDT/MLE/PIA Region 9-Zamboanga City)
