Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva attended the meeting of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) at the House of Representatives Nov. 20.
The officials’ active participation at the CHTE meeting underscored their commitment to the educational advancement of Sagay and the 2nd District of Negros Occidental, a press release from Cueva’s office said, adding the meeting was also attended by Dr. Renante Egcas, president of the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (Nonescost).
At the meeting, the Commission on Higher Education presented its status report on the compliance of schools with the requirements for a state college or university, like Nonescost, as prescribed in the establishment or conversion laws.
Republic Act 11859, a pivotal legislation authored by Cueva when he was still congressman of the 2nd District, paved the way for the conversion of Nonescost into the State University of Northern Negros, or SUNN.
Cueva said the conversion “will expand academic horizons, allowing SUNN to offer diverse programs in agriculture, arts, business, education, engineering, healthcare, and more, catering to the needs of Negros Occidental and Region VI.”
The law empowers SUNN with institutional autonomy and academic freedom, ensuring its independent operation while complying with CHED guidelines, he said, adding the state university establishes a governance framework through a Board of Regents, outlines financial management principles, and mandates reporting mechanisms to track SUNN’s progress and compliance. ||
