The municipal government of Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island has recently inked a pact with the University of the Philippines-Cebu for the establishment of the "UP-Cebu Resort Campus."

UP-Cebu chancellor Leo Malagar and Santa Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 19 October 2023 and was witnessed by Vice Mayor Lovely Cabrera and municipal councilors.

Malagar revealed that the partnership will bring UP-Cebu closer to deserving students from far-flung areas who have no access to quality education in urban centers.

"This is consistent with the vision of the new UP president to continue its mission of serving the public, especially those who are far from the center or urban areas.

Espinosa, on the other hand, told DAILY TRIBUNE that the UP-Cebu expansion to Bantayan island is a welcome development.

"We will try our best to build a university in our town," Espinosa said.

He added that the proposed UP-Cebu Resort Campus will be constructed on a two-hectare property donated by the Holaysan family.

Malagar, for his part, said that the establishment of the campus can become an opportunity for students to help their families.

"This means less expense for their families and it will avoid students from being uprooted from their communities or separated from their families where they are needed," Malagar said.

"The additional campus and these programs have the same purpose to help deserving students from poor families who may not have the resources to go to Manila to train and develop their talents," he added.

Aside from the towns of Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos — which will be benefiting from the resort campus — deserving students from nearby islands may also enroll in the school's academic programs and new varsity programs for athletically and culturally gifted students.