HISTORY OF BAYAMBANG POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

 

 

 

[proposed title] "Turning Dreams for a Better Future into Reality"

 

(History of Bayambang Polytechnic College)

 

 

Prologue: A Promise Becomes a Movement

 

Every great institution begins with an idea. Some begin with necessity. Bayambang Polytechnic College was first conceived as a solemn promise.

 

For generations, Bayambang has been recognized as a center of learning. From the establishment of the Bayambang Normal School in 1922—today the Bayambang Campus of Pangasinan State University—to the countless young men and women who pursued education as their pathway out of poverty, the town has long understood the transformative power of knowledge.

 

Yet even as educational opportunities expanded, a persistent reality remained. College education was still beyond the reach of many deserving Bayambangueños. Limited slots, financial constraints, transportation expenses, and the need to leave home often stood between students and their dreams. For many families in underprivileged sectors, higher education remained a hope constantly challenged by circumstance.

 

It was this reality that inspired a vision. Driven by a profound belief that no Bayambangueño should be denied the opportunity to attain tertiary education because of poverty, former Municipal Mayor, Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, envisioned an institution that would bring quality education closer to the people. It was a vision rooted in a simple but powerful conviction: that education should not be a privilege reserved for a few, but a right accessible to all.

 

What began as a promise would soon become one of the most ambitious educational undertakings in the history of the municipality.

 

 

Chapter I: The Birth of an Institution

 

Transforming a dream into reality required more than good intentions. It demanded leadership, collaboration, and the force of law. On March 10, 2022, municipal officials, together with representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), convened to lay the legal and institutional foundations of what would become Bayambang Polytechnic College.

 

Their efforts culminated in Municipal Ordinance No. 05, Series of 2022, formally establishing the Bayambang Polytechnic College and defining its mandate as a local institution dedicated to accessible, affordable, and quality higher education.

 

On June 27, 2022, another historic milestone was reached when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan approved Resolution No. 586-2022, granting the certification necessary for the college to commence official operations.

 

Within a remarkably short period, what had existed only as a vision emerged as a functioning institution—one of the fastest-established community colleges in the region. Bayambang Polytechnic College was born.

 

Chapter II: Education as an Act of Love

 

From its inception, Bayambang Polytechnic College has been a manifestation of a community's love for its future generations. Operating under the Local Government Unit of Bayambang, the institution became a living testament to the belief that public service finds its highest expression in empowering people through education.

 

The vision begun by Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao found steadfast continuity under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis “Niña” Jose-Quiambao, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

 

Together, the First Couple of Bayambang transformed support into action. Through personal generosity and unwavering commitment, they provided more than ₱30 million in accumulated donations to help cover students' tuition and educational expenses.

 

Their contribution did more than fund education; it also removed barriers, restored hope, and sent a powerful message to every Bayambangueño family: your dreams matter, and your community believes in you.

 

Chapter III: Building the Future

 

The newly established college was entrusted to the capable leadership of Dr. Rafael Limueco Saygo, who served as Interim College President and guided the institution through its formative years.

 

Supporting him were dedicated academic leaders and administrators, including Dr. Lita A. Saygo as College Dean, Dr. Annie C. Manalang as Overall Program Head, Mrs. Veronica Gellido as Program Head for BS Entrepreneurship, and Mr. Joseph Anthony Quinto as Program Head for BS Agribusiness. [DID WE MISS NAMES HERE?]

 

With a clear understanding of the needs of the municipality, the college launched programs aligned with Bayambang's economic strengths and development priorities. Its academic offerings included Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, complemented by TESDA-recognized vocational programs such as Computer Systems Servicing NC II and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II.

 

The rationale was both practical and visionary. As an agricultural town, Bayambang needed graduates who could transform local industries through innovation, entrepreneurship, and technical expertise. The college was designed not merely to produce degree holders, but future leaders, professionals, and changemakers capable of driving socio-economic progress.

 

 

Chapter IV: The Stamp of Legitimacy

 

A dream may inspire people. Excellence, however, demands validation. That validation arrived on June 3, 2024. In a landmark achievement, Bayambang Polytechnic College secured its Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) for its Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship programs. For a young institution, the recognition represented far more than regulatory approval. It signified that Bayambang Polytechnic College had met the rigorous standards required of higher education institutions in the Philippines.

 

The milestone was celebrated by municipal officials, educational leaders, and CHED Regional Director, Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer; Chief Education Supervisor, Dr. Danilo Bose; and Education Supervisors, Dr. Ricky Cera and Engr. Angelica Dolores, affirming that Bayambang Polytechnic College had earned its place among legitimate institutions of higher learning. The dream had passed its first great test.

 

 

Chapter V: From Borrowed Rooms to Permanent Foundations

 

Like many institutions in their infancy, Bayambang Polytechnic College began modestly. Classes were initially conducted at the third floor of Royal Mall Bayambang and in classrooms within the former Bayambang Central School campus. Though temporary, these facilities became the birthplace of aspirations, determination, and academic achievement.

 

Yet everyone understood that the college's future demanded a permanent home. That future began to take shape on February 6, 2025. On a sprawling 6.7-hectare property in Barangay Bical Norte donated by the First Couple (PLEASE VALIDATE), distinguished guests gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the future Bayambang Polytechnic College campus.

 

The occasion drew national attention. Present were First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Marcos, CHEd Chairman, Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” E. De Vera III, local officials, educators, and community leaders.

 

As golden shovels pierced the earth, the ceremony not only signaled the beginning of construction, but also marked the laying of a foundation for generations of Bayambangueños whose dreams would no longer be limited by geography or circumstance. The future had found its ground.

 

 

Chapter VI: The Fulfillment of a Promise

 

Today, rising steadily from the soil of Bical Norte is a symbol of determination made visible. The Academic Building — designed as a modern four-story structure with 32 classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities — stands as concrete proof that promises made in good faith eventually stand to be fulfilled.

 

Every column erected, every beam installed, and every wall raised represents far more than physical infrastructure. They embody the aspirations of thousands of students and families who believe that education remains the surest path toward a better life. What was once an empty field is becoming a center of learning, and what was once a vision is becoming a legacy.

 

 

The Next Chapter: Toward University Status

 

Yet the story of Bayambang Polytechnic College is far from complete. The buildings now rising in Bical Norte are not the final destination, but are merely the foundation of a larger dream.

 

Guided by its Governing Board, the institution continues to pursue Institutional Recognition and future university status. Such milestones would further expand access to higher education, reduce costs for students, and open doors to additional academic programs that respond to emerging industries and national development needs.

 

The goal extends beyond growth in size or status. The aspiration is to build an institution that will serve as an intellectual, cultural, technological, and economic catalyst for Bayambang and beyond.

 

As a pivotal asset of the LGU in its grand anti-poverty thrust, Bayambang Polytechnic College is out to build futures, expand horizons, and prove that when a community believes in the power of education, dreams can become reality.