Origins as a community college
The Mountain Province State University (MPSU), formerly known as Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC), traces its roots to the Mountain Province Community College (MPCC). MPCC was established through Mountain Province Provincial Board Resolution No. 158, signed on April 10, 1969, laying the foundation for higher education in the province.
The resolution authorized the provincial government to establish MPCC, allocate funds for its initial operations, and form an ad-interim Board of Trustees. The board was chaired by Governor Alfredo G. Lamen, with Vice-Governor Jaime K. Gomez as vice chairman. Other members were Superintendent of Schools Raymundo de Leon, Provincial Secretary Timothy Chaokas, Atty. Guillermo Bandonil, Mr. Alfredo G. Pacyaya, and Mr. Alfredo Belingon.
After constituting the board, some members were appointed as the first administrative officials. Vice Governor Jaime K. Gomez was designated as honorary president, Mr. Timothy Chaokas as executive director and registrar, and Mr. Alexander Sumedca and Mr. Alfredo Belingon as part-time administrative and supervisory assistants.
On May 14, 1969, the Secretary of the Department of Education formally recognized MPCC. The MPCC administration was directed to commence its initial course offerings in July 1969, marking the official start of academic operations.
Governance of MPCC was entrusted to a Board of Directors led by the provincial governor. The first chairman was Governor Jaime K. Gomez. The board formulated policies and secured financial support. With limited resources, the college relied primarily on student fees, which were insufficient to sustain its growing needs.
Becoming a state college
Financial challenges motivated advocates to push for conversion of MPCC into a state college. As early as 1975, Regional Director Telesforo Boquiren and Assistant Regional Director Bernardo M. Reyes submitted proposals to Secretary Juan Manuel of the Ministry of Education and Culture, but these did not prosper.
In 1978, during the first election for the Batasang Pambansa, Hon. Victor S. Dominguez was elected as assemblyman for Region I. He sought to file a conversion bill, but efforts were hindered by a national government moratorium on new state colleges.
After the reorganization of Congress in 1987, Hon. Victor S. Dominguez filed House Bill No. 00180 following his re-election, but it did not prosper. On May 28, 1991, he introduced another bill entitled:
“An Act Converting the Mountain Province Community College to be known as the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Integrating therewith the Tadian School of Arts and Trades in the Municipality of Tadian; the Bacarri Agricultural High School in the Municipality of Paracelis; and the Eastern Bontoc National Agricultural School in the Municipality of Barlig, all in Mountain Province, and Appropriating Funds thereof.”
The bill passed First Reading on June 3, 1991, Second Reading on August 15, 1991, and Third Reading on September 4, 1991. On January 17, 1992, it was enacted by the President as Republic Act No. 7182, creating the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC).
Path to university status
- 2009Application for university status begins
Early stages of applying for university status. House Bill No. 6392, titled “An Act Elevating MPSPC into a University of Montañosa,” filed by Hon. Manuel S. Agyao, caretaker-congressman for Mountain Province after the death of Hon. Victor S. Dominguez. Approved and passed through the Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
- 2010House Bill 7141
Proposal revised and renamed House Bill 7141, converting Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) into a university to be known as Mountain Province State University (MPSU).
- 2012House Bill 4449
Push revived by Hon. Maximo B. Dalog and Hon. Edgardo M. Angara, who filed House Bill 4449, titled “An Act Converting MPSPC into a State University.”
- May 24, 2013University law signed, pending CHED compliance
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III signed the bill into law. The law provided conversion would take effect only upon certification by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that the institution substantially complied with operational requirements for university status.
- August 1, 2024Republic Act No. 12016
Republic Act No. 12016 signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
- August 27, 2024CHED approves university status
Past and present presidents
- DMD. Marcelino T. Delson1992 to 2004
First college president after R.A. No. 7182.
- JBJuan B. NgalobAugust 2004 to March 2005
NEDA-CAR director, officer-in-charge president.
- DNDr. Nieves A. DacyonApril 2005 to November 30, 2012
Elected college president.
- DGDr. Geraldine L. MadjacoDecember 1, 2012 to March 18, 2013
Officer-in-charge college president.
- DEDr. Eufemia C. LamenMarch 19, 2013 to December 1, 2013
Elected college president; tenure cut short by death in a car accident on December 1, 2013, after eight months in office.
- DJ
Campuses today
The institution operates across multiple locations for broader access to quality education. Campuses include the Bontoc Campus and the Tadian Campus, with an extension campus in Paracelis as an extension class of the Tadian Campus, primarily for the College of Agriculture. It also manages the Victor S. Dominguez Research and Extension Development Center in Ba-ang, Bauko, Mountain Province, for research, extension, and community development.
For 30 years since 1992 as a state college, MPSPC remained committed to quality education while evolving to meet academic, institutional, and societal demands.
Key challenges
MPSPC remains dedicated to innovation and responding to changing needs and stakeholder expectations.
- Program compliance and accreditation — Ensuring academic offerings meet national and international standards.
- Compliance with international quality management standards — Further enhancing institutional credibility and efficiency.
- Infrastructure and facilities development — Addressing the growing need for modernized and well-equipped learning environments.
Milestone evolution: MPSPC's path to university status
The Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) is the leading state institution of higher learning in Mountain Province. Its transformation from a community college to a state college has had a significant impact on the region, strengthening its role as a major contributor to economic progress and local business growth. It is a significant milestone in the history of higher education in the region. The chronology of events leading to this change is a testament to the collective efforts of visionary leaders, educators, and community stakeholders who aspired for a brighter academic future. It reflects a journey of growth, resilience, and dedication to providing quality education that meets the evolving needs of students and the community.