(FILE PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY — A proposal to establish a Visayas State University (VSU) satellite campus in Hilongos, Leyte moved forward in Congress after the House Committee on Higher Education and Technical Education approved House Bill (HB) No. 2046 on November 19, 2025, during the 20th Congress’ first regular session.
Leyte Fifth District Representative Carl Nicolas Cari, principal author of the bill, said that creating a VSU campus in Hilongos would significantly improve access to quality tertiary education for local communities, particularly for students who struggle with long travel distances or financial limitations.
“This marks a major step forward in providing accessible and quality university education for Hilongos and its neighboring communities,” Cari said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.
HB 2046 seeks to address the needs of students who cannot pursue college due to geographical, economic, and family-related constraints, while also ensuring that academic programs offered in the district align with global educational demands.
Rep. Cari expressed confidence in VSU’s readiness to expand, citing the university’s 3-star rating from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)—an international assessment body that recognized VSU for its strong research output and its ability to produce globally competitive graduates.
The young legislator also thanked House Committee Chairperson Rep. Jude Acidre for acknowledging the importance of the bill and supporting its passage at the committee level.
VSU officials likewise expressed strong support for the proposed Hilongos campus. The university was represented during the committee meeting by Glenn Pajares, vice president for planning and development, and Moises Neil Seriño, vice president for administration and finance.
VSU president Prose Ivy Yepes welcomed the bill’s committee approval, emphasizing the significance of expanding the university’s reach in Eastern Visayas.
“I am grateful and excited to have this bill be signed into law so that we can further strengthen our commitment to providing top-notch and quality higher education in Eastern Visayas and in the country,” she said.
HB 2046 is a refiled version of HB No. 4292, which Rep. Cari first introduced during the 19th Congress. The earlier version received initial approval on March 18, 2024, but did not reach final passage before the session adjourned.
Cari reintroduced the measure to continue efforts to improve educational access in his district.
With its committee approval, the bill will now proceed to the House plenary for further debates and voting. If approved, it will then move to the Senate for deliberations before being transmitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for enactment.
Once signed into law, the proposed VSU Hilongos Campus will be formally integrated into the VSU system and is expected to offer academic programs that uphold the university’s standards in instruction, research, and community extension. Its establishment is anticipated to boost local development and provide long-term benefits to Hilongos and the entire Fifth District of Leyte.
(JOEY A.GABIETA)
