July 31, 2023 – A meeting with the Bacolod City College (BCC) Board of Trustees was convened yesterday at the City Mayor’s Office to address concerns about student acceptance rates and exam standards, and Mayor Albee Benitez, BCC College Administrator Dr. Ma. Johanna Ann R. Bayoneta, members of the BCC Board of Trustees, and Councilor Al Victor Espino.

The primary issue discussed during the meeting was the low student acceptance rate at BCC. Out of the 5,250 applicants, only 1,310 were accepted, Mayor Albee expressed concern and urged the college to review its entrance exam standards and requirements with its 3,940 applicants not meeting the passing grade of 75%.

Mayor Albee also proposed a transformative plan for the development of Bacolod City College through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

With the current student population standing at 3,200, the city mayor aims to double the college’s capacity through distance learning education, the plan includes increasing programs for distance education to accommodate students who cannot be accommodated on-campus, exploring CHED-accredited distance education options, and identifying areas for expansion of skills training.

Benitez emphasized to the board of trustees the importance of making BCC a relevant institution that equips students with skills relevant to the job market.

The Public Employment Services Office (PESO) also addressed in the meeting, data revealed a significant gap, with 12,800 job positions available and 14,000 local graduates annually, to address this issue, Mayor Albee Benitez proposed the creation of a matching program to bridge the gap between job opportunities and graduates.

Following the fruitful discussion, the proposed initiatives aim to enhance student acceptance rates, strengthen educational programs through distance learning, and ensure that Bacolod City College becomes a hub for producing skilled and job-ready graduates.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)