RMTU is now the President Ramon Magsaysay State University

ZAMBALES, Philippines – The Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, the government-funded higher education institution in Zambales, has achieved full university status after a bill authored by Zambales 2^nd District Representative Cheryl Deloso Montalla was signed into law recently.

Republic Act 11015, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 20, renames the RMTU into the President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU).

As a comprehensive state university, it shall primarily provide advance and higher professional, technical and special instructions in education and technology, engineering and architecture, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and public administration and management.

The university will also offer courses on business and accountancy, economics and finance, tourism, hospitality and culinary management, creative industries, humanities, arts and sciences, information and communications technology, maritime education, law and legal management, medicine and health-related programs, peace and security programs and other related fields of study.

“It shall also undertake research and extension, as well as income generation programs, for the sustainable development of the Province of Zambales, the region and the country,” said the new law, a copy of which was released by Malacanang.

A board of regents will govern the university. The university shall be headed by a president, who shall render full-time service and shall be appointed by the board.

For a smooth transition, current RTMU president Dr. Cornelio Garcia shall serve as the first president of PRMSU until the end of his current term.

The law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

“It has been a long saga [to achieve] my dream of having a premier state university in Zambales,” Montalla said.

She said she first proposed the bill on her first term as Zambales representative in the last Congress, but some complicated provisions got the proposal stuck at the level of the appropriations committee.

“Learning from experience, we simplified the bill in this Congress, leaving only the pertinent provisions: rename it to PRMSU, expand the curriculum offerings, add necessary members of the Board of Regents,” Montalla said. 

“Though a long process, all our hard work and patience finally paid off. We have now something we can be proud of as Zambaleños who all believe in the value of a great education,” she said.

PRMSU has its main campus in Iba town and satellite campuses in Castillejos, San Marcelino, Botolan, Masinloc, Candelaria and Santa Cruz. – Rappler.com