By Daniel Tapaoan, Jr.

Women empowerment runs deeply in Mariano Marcos State University. This is evident with the big number of female employees and students who enjoy opportunities in the university’s instruction, research, extension, and development. 

In its 44-year history, five out of the nine presidents and officers-in-charge of MMSU are women, and they have run the University cumulatively for 25 years. 

Dr. Consuelo S. Blanco, the first university president, holds the distinction of being the first woman president of a public higher education institution in the Philippines (1978-1985). Other university heads were Dr. Nancy GB. Balantac, OIC (2004-2005), Dr. Miriam E. Pascua (2005-2015), and Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, OIC (2015-2017). 

At present, the university is being led by Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, who continues to ensure provision of equal opportunities is observed in the academic community. 

At present, men and women continue to have the equal opportunity in leading the university as shown by an almost equal number of administrative officials. 

Among the university’s lead administrators, two out of four vice presidents, the university and board secretary, and one out of two campus executive directors are women. 

Around half of the total numbers of deans, directors, office chiefs, program coordinators, and principals are women.

MMSU employees also enjoy the same work opportunities wherein faculty members are composed of 376 females and 342 males, while the administrative personnel have a total of 287 women and 458 men.  

Situation in the university system also shows that the MMSU studentry is dominated by women. Of the 14,039 college students this academic year, 8,725 are women and 5,314 are men. 

Of the 11 colleges of MMSU, 9 has a bigger number of female students. Specifically, there are 935 females out of 1,416 students at CAFSD; 813 out of 1,383 students at CAS; 155 out of 266 students at CASAT; 1,768 out of 2,357 students at CBEA; 962 out of 1,248 students at CHS; 26 out of 42 students at COL; 74 out of 115 students at COM; 1,952 out of 2,623 at CTE; and 490 out of 764 students at the Graduate School. However, the COE and CIT have lesser number of women students, with a total of 575 out of 2,445, and 615 out of 1,381 students, respectively, due to professions traditionally occupied by men. Women are successfully inching their way into these professions. 

All in all, these numbers show that the women force in MMSU truly counts and spells achievement. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)