By Jesslyn Keith Valite

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte—Officials of the Mariano Marcos State University visited today, April 29, a possible site for the proposed Pagudpud campus. The 54-hectare property is located at the boundary of Barangays Balaoi and Caunayan in the Municipality of Pagudpud. 

Following initial discussions in March on the establishment of the new campus, MMSU President Virgilio Julius Manzano, Jr. and Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Benemerito led the site visit, joined by officials from both the university and the municipal government.

According to the records from the University Registrar, MMSU serves 580 students from Pagudpud, 370 from Bangui, 210 from Burgos, 655 from neighboring municipalities in Cagayan, and 286 from the province of Apayao. Many of these students face the challenge of long travel times and the financial burden of living away from home to pursue their education. 

Dr. Manzano highlighted the importance of bringing MMSU closer to these students, offering a more accessible and affordable route to quality tertiary education. “By establishing a campus in Pagudpud, we provide students with an opportunity to continue their studies without the significant costs and hardships of living far from home,” he said.

Pagudpud Mayor Benemerito expressed excitement about the long-term impact the MMSU Pagudpud campus will have on the town’s growth. He noted that the campus would not only provide educational opportunities but would also help develop tourism hubs and critical infrastructure. 

The campus will offer a range of programs, including Bachelor of Science degrees in Information Technology, Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Forestry, Electrical Engineering, Agriculture, Marine Biology, and Fisheries. 

A coconut genetic resources nursery and conservation hub, expected to contribute to local agricultural initiatives and environmental conservation efforts, is also proposed to be developed at the new campus. 

The next phases of the project include securing approval from the Board of Regents (BOR) and obtaining necessary legislative support, followed by identifying and securing funding. Meanwhile, the university is preparing detailed plans for infrastructure development, curriculum design, and community engagement to ensure the new campus meets the specific needs and aspirations of the local population.

Once approved, Pagudpud will become the 6th campus. Currently, MMSU has five campuses across Ilocos Norte—Batac City, Laoag City, Paoay, Dingras, and Currimao.