PUP Maragondon Branch

All accomplishments, big or small , start from a dream.

In 1987, two brilliant minds from Cavite pooled each other’s independent but interrelated plans to establish the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Maragondon Extension in Cavite.

Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente was the President of PUP while Officer-in-charge Teoderico C. Ramirez was appointed Mayor of Maragondon, Cavite by then President Corazon C. Aquino. The vision of Dr. Prudente to bring PUP to the countryside and the sincere desire of OIC Ramirez to alleviate the plight of his townsfolk through education complemented each other , thus the name PUP-ME echoed not only in Maragondon but in its neighboring municipalities as well.

In pursuit of their goals, Dr. Prudente and OIC Ramirez negotiated for the donation of 1.1 hectare lot by the Municipality of Maragondon. Such move motivated Maragondon municipality Planning and Development Council to solicit funds for the construction of a one-storey building on the lot. The newly constructed building and the renovated Non-formal Education became the first two buildings of PUP-ME.

The ground breaking ceremony held on January 29, 1987 formally marked its establishment. On July 6, 1987, the buildings were officially turned to PUP-ME.

Before the opening of academic year 1987-1988, Prof. Marcelino Panganiban, a Physical Education professor from PUP-Sta. Mesa was designated as Officer-in-Charge. OIC Panganiban worked hard in promoting the courses offered, supervising the first college entrance examination and orienting the qualified examinees on the rules and regulations of the university. Prof. Ofelia Bautista, a faculty member from the College of Accountancy in PUP-Sta. Mesa, became the new Officer-in-Charge after him.

On June 15,1987, 337 students enrolled in five baccalaureate courses: Bachelor in Business Education (BBE), Bachelor in Accountancy (BA), Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE), Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME); and one technical program: basic typing, all under the supervision of 14 Faculty members. In the second semester, Secretarial, Computer Programming, Practical Electricity and Radio and TV Technology programs were offered. Students admitted were called “Iskolars ng Bayan” because they enjoyed the subsidy of the government, getting quality education at a lower cost.

In April 1988, Prof. Herman Zerwit of PUP - Sta. Mesa College of Engineering was designated as the new OIC. He became the first Director of PUP-ME in May 1990. It was during the administration of Director Zerwit when PUP-ME achieved the following: Melissa Manalo placed 12th in the CPA Board Examinations; PUP-ME sponsored its first outreach project, the Cattle Dispersal Program for the economically handicapped families of Maragondon; and the publication of its official newsletter the Apothegm, in December 1988.

In July 1993, Dr. Severino Espiritu, Area Chairperson of Banking and Finance in PUP-Sta. Mesa was installed as the second Director. Dr. Espiritu initiated the ground improvements and constructions of additional structures like the gymnasium and a single room building which were built through the help of Congressman Telesforo Unas of the 3rd District of Cavite.

It was in 1995 when the first post-graduate program, Master in Educational Management, was offered. Teachers were given chance to pursue their post-baccalaureate studies through the Open University spearheaded by Dr. Ofelia M. Carague, Executive Vice-President and Concurrent Head of Branches and Extension Services of PUP.

On October 20, 1997 Dr. Roman R. Dannug took his oath of office as the third Director while Prof. Alejandro N. Eseque, Jr. was appointed fourth Director in September 1998. In October 1999, Prof. Ronette D. Jornacion was appointed OIC then fifth Director of PUP-ME from April 2000 up to 2006..

Students during Jornacion’s administration became very active not only in seminars and competitions but also in community services, and membership in both regional and national organizations.

Foreign exchange students from Japan and South Korea visited PUP-ME for some intercultural exchange of information while Peace Corps volunteers worked with students in outreach programs in Maragondon. The Artist’s Society was organized and the Kaunlaran Dance Artists (KDA) performed in WOW Philippines programs. The Alumni of PUP-ME also started the Scholarship Programs for its indigent constituents.

A milestone was recorded in the history of PUP-ME when it hosted the 3rd PUP-ME inter-branch Sports Competition in 2002. Six PUP branches and extension campuses all over Luzon gathered for sports, culture and arts. In 2004, the university joined the World’s Largest Human Rainbow at the Luneta Grandstand in Manila.

In May 2006, Engr. Pacifico A. Hintay was installed as an acting director and later in May 2008, his first term as a director began. Aligning with the PUP vision towards a “Total University.” Director Hintay was able to accomplish salient improvements and achievements for Maragondon Campus. He strengthened his linkages with the local government, government agencies, private organizations and other benefactors and improved relationships with the faculty, students and alumni in order to improve the campus.

Dir. Hintay was able to solicit a one-million peso donation from Cavite third district Congressman Hon. Crispin “Boying” Remulla. The donation was used for the construction of a new building to be used as classrooms. With the financial assistance provided by the PUP-ME Alumni Association and the Federation of Alumni Association of PUP, Inc., repair and improvement of the gymnasium was made. Because of the combined efforts of the CWTS students and the different student organizations , a gazeebo was also constructed. Through the campus strong relationship with the local government, Maragondon Mayor Monte A. Andaman shouldered the expenses of the construction of a guardhouse and donated two computer units. Another four computer units plus a photocopier machine were donated by the local Student Council and the Faculty Association. PAGCOR Chairman Efraim C. Genuino generously pledged to give 50 computer units, two units of server, one laptop, and two-thousand peso faculty development fund. Chairman Genuino also sponsored 1000 students and faculty members to watch “Wanders” inclusive of transportation.

Maragondon Campus is steadily producing board passers in the field of Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communications Engineering and Education. In 2007, the Sweet Camote Pasta produced by a group of Bachelor in Business Administration students won second place as the Most Promising Product in the first Cavite Entrepreneurial Summit, the Nutri Chips won first place in the 3rd Cavite Entrepreneurial Summit and the Squash Ice Cream won second place in the Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Entrepreneurial Office in 2009.

It is also noted that during the administration of Director Hintay, the community and extension services were strengthened. PUP Maragondon made a study of alternative food as requested by the Municipal Office of Maragondon. In addition, PUP Maragondon developed a comics and organized a seminar on Media of Information Dissemination about the value of Alternative foods. It is also remarkable that the number of beneficiaries of Handog (a community extension program of the campus), went up from 100 to 700.

Director Hintay continuously broadened PUP-MC’s networks and linkages and at the same time strengthened faculty and student development, research and community/extension services.

Fours years after, the PUP-MC community witnessed the assumption of Prof. Denise A. Abril as the seventh director of the campus. Still on her second term, yet Director Abril has already shown a tremendous commitment to bring PUP-MC into accelerated dimensions in terms of its physical, academic and social networking. Two more infrastructures were added to the existing ones; the multi-purpose building convertible into a two- classroom building thru the courtesy of Congressman Remulla and the two- storey two- classroom building donated by Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano thru the recommendation of Mr. Gilbert C. Remulla. Another two - storey building with fourteen classrooms is yet to come, this time from Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. The provincial government thru the leadership of Governor Juan Victor C. Remulla approved the 778 Php budget for building repairs. More computers came from the municipality of Maragondon as pledged by Mayor Mon Anthony Andaman. The latest contribution of the Abril administration is the extension of PUP-Maragondon which will soon rise in Alfonso , Cavite upon the approval of the Board of Regents of PUP. The maiden pre-fabricated building of PUP-Alfonso is now under construction.

Academically, students from the College of Accountancy, Business, Education, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering bagged the first and second places in their respective quiz bees, feasibility studies, and design . The most recent is the second place in the PSME National Design contest held in SMX Mall of Asia by the Mechanical Engineering students. Passing percentages in licensure examinations went up and the number of passers in all board courses escalated to a greater margin. A good number of faculty members on the other hand, pursued then finished their Master degrees. Research became more intensive thereby enabling the teachers and the students to be more research oriented. Their social affiliations in various local , regional and national organizations encouraged. maximum participations in conventions , seminars and trainings for academic upliftment.

All throughout its history, PUP-Maragondon Campus has moved forward through the guidance and inspiration of PUP past Presidents: Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente; Dr. Zenaida A. Olonan; Dr. Ofelia M. Carague; Dr. Samuel M. Salvador, Dr. Dante G. Guevarra and OIC Estelita Wi Dela Rosa. At present, PUP Maragondon Campus’s progress is being accelerated through the stewardship of the present University President, Dr. Emanuel C. de Guzman.

Altogether the administrators, administrative and academic staff have worked hand in hand with local government officials to realize a common objective: the total development of the students to become active contributors to the growth of the nation. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Maragondon will continue to stand on its ground to work for that cause.

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