Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur opens community college

KUMALARANG, Zamboanga del Sur — The local government unit (LGU) here inaugurated the Kumalarang Community College (KCC) on Monday, Aug. 24, marking a milestone in the town’s pursuit of accessible higher education for its youth.

Mayor Ruel Molina said the initiative was born out of the closure of the extension campus of JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC) in the town, which left many students—particularly working youth, single mothers and senior high school graduates—without options to pursue tertiary education.

While tuition remains free in public schools, Molina stressed that transportation, boarding, and daily allowances posed barriers for those unable to study in neighboring towns or cities.

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“We reached out to Ched (Commission on Higher Education) in 2022, and years later, an ordinance was passed for the establishment of KCC. We focused on the processing, hoping we could open it as soon as possible for the students of Kumalarang,” Molina said.

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For now, the college will be housed at the municipal government center along the national highway, at a site previously occupied by the JHCSC extension campus.

The municipal government has allocated funds for its renovation, with plans to eventually transfer KCC to the current municipal hall, which will serve as its official campus.

Molina emphasized that the college will prioritize agriculture and fishery programs, noting the decline in enrollment in these fields despite their importance to local livelihoods.

“I really want to focus on these courses because if given attention, it will improve the livelihood of our farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

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KCC is initially offering three degree programs: Bachelor in Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd) – Major in Agricultural Crop Production; Bachelor in Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLEd) – Major in Agri-Fishery Arts; and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM).

Molina expressed confidence in sourcing qualified faculty locally, citing residents with master’s degrees.

The mayor also underscored that the establishment of KCC is not merely about infrastructure but about investing in the town’s future.

“This is a major step toward bringing quality and accessible education closer to our homes,” he said, envisioning that every youth in Kumalarang will be given the opportunity to finish their studies.

“Education is the key to the progress of our town,” he added.

Young mother among first enrollees

For a young mother in Kumalarang who requested anonymity, the opening of KCC is more than just an educational milestone—it is a second chance at hope.

Married early and now raising a child, she admitted that pursuing higher education once felt impossible.

“It is a great opportunity for us to finally reach our dreams even though we married early and now have a child,” she said.

She explained that studying outside the town was financially and emotionally draining, given the family’s meager income.

Now, with KCC opening its doors, she expressed gratitude to the local government for giving renewed hope to the youth.

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“We are very grateful to be among the first to benefit from the Kumalarang Community College,” she said. /mcm