The University of the Philippines – Cebu and the Municipality of Sta. Fe on Bantayan Island signed their partnership to build a "UP-Cebu Resort Campus."
UP-Cebu Chancellor Leo Malagar and Santa Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa signed a Memorandum of Agreement last 19 October 2023. It was witnessed by Vice Mayor Lovely Cabrera and municipal councilors.
Malagar told the media 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.
spinosa told DAILY TRIBUNE that the UP-Cebu expansion to Bantayan Island is a very much welcome development.
"We will try our best to build a university in our town," the mayor said.
According to Espinosa, the UP-Cebu Resort Campus will be constructed on a two-hectare property donated by the Holaysan family.
"This means less expense for their families, maybe an opportunity for the students to continue helping their family in their livelihood and 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," the chancellor added.
Aside from the towns of Santa Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos which will benefit 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.
Malagar confirmed to DAILY TRIBUNE the plan but "we cannot yet disclose the details of the plan except that the lot was donated to UP."
No other details on the plan have been divulge.
Bantayan Island is the northmost island in Cebu.