Beyond her extensive services to the "Lagunanays" of San Pedro City, Laguna, Laguna 1st District Representative Ann Matibag has not forgotten her primary role as the city’s first (de facto) representative to Congress.
This was attested by the numerous bills she had filed in her year-and-a-half as Representative, most of which seek to improve the lives of every San Pedrense in various sectors – particularly health and education.
Recently, one of those bills – House Bill No. 9316, which seeks to convert the current San Pedro Technological Institute into the San Pedro State College (SPSC) – was passed on third reading at the House of Representatives and is now in the hands the Senate.
Need to expand
Founded as the San Pedro Manpower Development Institute in 1978, SPTI had, for its 35 years in existence, offered largely technical and vocational programs that catered to a generation that had sought for better opportunities in the Philippines and abroad.
However, the solon saw the need to expand SPTI's offerings to better serve the city "with the changes brought about by globalization and the fourth industrial revolution."
While private higher institutions as well as a local branch of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) have enabled San Pedrenses to continue their studies beyond senior high school, Matibag also noted that some sectors in San Pedro City have pushed for the elevation of the SPTI for some years now.
Even as she campaigned to become representative in 2022, the transformation of the SPTI into a state college was already among her top priorities, she added.
More choices
Once passed into law, HB 9316 will enable the converted institute to offer academic and specialized courses such as engineering, science and technology, arts and humanities, liberal arts, information and communication technology education, and other "relevant fields of study."
This meant that San Pedrense senior high school graduates who seek higher education now need not go to Metro Manila or nearby cities to study, easing their families' financial burden.
"I am very sure po na we can offer the same types of courses na karaniwang ino-offer ng ibang state colleges dito sa Pilipinas. Hindi lamang po iyan, dito na po papasok ang tinatawag na entrepreneurship course," she said in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
When asked about whether SPSC may move into a new location from its current campus in Barangay Fatima, Matibag said that decision will depend on the new school management.
“Alam naman po natin na ang patuloy na problema natin dito sa San Pedro City ay ang kawalan ng lupa na kung saan pwede tayong magtayo ng mga bagong istruktura. So for now, siguro, hindi naman po talaga siya kailangan na mag-iba ng location, pero pwede po tayong mag-allot ng pondo for renovation or additional facilities,” she explained.
Women empowerment
Meanwhile, true to her advocacy of putting “Lagunanays” first, Matibag said she has also been active in upholding women empowerment in San Pedro City.
During a recent election of the city’s league of barangay kagawads, for instance, Matibag said she lent her voice in urging for more participation of women in local governance.
Ang naging mensahe ko po doon ay, sana ay mabigyan kaming mga kababaihan ng oportunidad to handle their programs," she recounted. "Lalo na po sa panahon ngayon na mas agresibo na ang ating mga kababaihan, ang dami na po nating ideas, so it's one way of empowering our women leaders here in San Pedro City."
Speaking from experience – as part of the 88 female representatives in Congress, and coming from a province where five out of its seven representatives are women – Matibag said she has been encouraged by the growing number of women who are becoming active in public service.
Gender equality
Despite the persistent controversy regarding the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Bill in Congress, Matibag said she has continued to support current measures to ensure gender equality.
One such measure is House Bill No. 1480 that she filed before Congress last year, one of the many legislations filed seeking to prohibit gender-based discrimination.
"We can only do as much, but I want to assure everybody, especially the LGBTQIA+ community here in San Pedro City, that they are well taken care of," she said.
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