Tarlac State University and the local government of Capas, both under new administrations, renewed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the continued operations of the TSU Capas Campus.
The signing ceremony took place at the Cristo Rey covered court in Capas, Tarlac on October 26, 2022.
The TSU Capas Campus currently offers three courses, namely Bachelor of Public Administration, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
In terms of campus improvement, Capas mayor Roseller "Boots" Rodriguez said that the local government unit purchased and installed three 65-inch Smart television sets in the classrooms and upgraded the campus' internet connection to 150 Mbps. He added the local government's plans to refurbish the school canteen and put up a computer laboratory, library, and study hubs on the campus.
“Our national government makes education affordable kasi libre na ang college [education]. TSU is making education in Capas accessible kasi hindi niyo na kailangang pumunta ng Tarlac City para mag-aral. Accessible na kasi nandito na sa bayan natin sa Capas. Pinagbigyan tayo ng TSU na dito kayo sa Capas mag-aaral at magtatapos ng kurso na gusto ninyo," he said.
Regarding transportation of the teaching staff, the municipal mayor will give transportation allowance to professors and lecturers assigned to this campus.
Another plan for the LGU-funded campus is the inclusion of business courses among its program offerings. However, this will depend on the arrangements with the university.
Meanwhile, according to Mayor Rodriguez, the LGU is planning to give scholarship slots to Capas Campus students through the Capas LGU Scholarship Program amounting to 6,000 pesos per semester. Maintaining average for scholars is 82.
Moreover, Mayor Rodritguez shared that Senator Imee Marcos affirmed and allotted three million pesos for student scholarships. From this, 1,000 students from Capas and Concepcion will benefit from a 3,000-peso cash assistance on November 24.
In addition, third district representative Cong. Noel "Bong" Rivera also committed to provide 400 slots of scholarship grants to Capas students.
"Nasa inyo (students) na lang kung hindi pa kayo makakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Kasalanan na lang ng mga kaibigan ninyo, ng mga kamag-anak ninyo na ayaw mag-aral dahil lahat ng sangkap ng pag-aaral ay pinagtutulungan [na] ng gobyerno. Nariyan ang TSU – sa Tarlac State University maraming maraming salamat sa ibinigay ninyong extension program ng TSU," Mayor Rodriguez said in his speech.
Two students from the College of Criminal Justice Education, Rommel John Gampol from Guimba, Nueva Ecija, and Basilio Justin Diolo from San Jose, Tarlac, are grateful to learn about the scholarship grants.
“Malaking bagay 'yung cash assistance kasi malayo ang bahay namin; para 'di na rin mahiarapan ang mga magulang po namin. Lalo na malayo ang eskwelahan po namin at ang training po ay sa Lucinda pa, baka po mag apartment na lang kami o kung may dormitory po sana, mas okay,” Diolo said.
Maica Ann Infante, 18, a College of Public Administration and Governance student, said she was happy and excited to study under the limited in-person set-up. On the contary, she expressed the concerns of her classmates who are still struggling with online classes. They are requesting individual pocket WiFi units to supplement their connectivity issues.
The TSU Capas Campus was inaugurated in 2018 during the term of former Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan. He is currently the alumni representative in the TSU Board of Regents.
