NIT’s application for university status now in Senate – Dr. Genson

By RODRIGO S. VICTORIA, PIA-Biliran
March 21, 2006

NAVAL, Biliran  –  The application for university status of Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) appears brighter after several years of delay in the House of Representatives as it is now in the Senate, said Dr. Edita S. Genson, President of the college.

In a letter sent to the different national government agencies in the province of Biliran, Dr. Genson informed that the application for conversion of NIT into Biliran State University (Bilsu) authored by Congressman Gerry Boy Espina, Jr. of the Lone District of Biliran has already been approved by the House of Representatives through House Bill No. 4918.

House Bill 4918 is entitled “An Act Converting Naval Institute of Technology in the Municipality of Naval, Province of Biliran into a State University to be known as the Biliran State University, Integrating therewith the Biliran National Agricultural College in the Municipality of Biliran and Appropriating Funds Therefore”.

Dr. Genson said that the college’s application for university status is now in the Senate Committee on Education chaired by Senator Juan M. Flavier.

It was also mentioned in the letter the record and performance in the field of education of the college that would warrant the conversion of NIT into a state university such as the consistent rating of Noteworthy and Very Satisfactory of the College of Maritime every year since its International Standard Operation (ISO) Certification by the Det Norkes Veritas (DNV) on Rules on Maritime Academies in the year 2000 based on its findings on the annual DNV Surveillance Audit and other educational achievements of the college.

In order to further strengthen the application of NIT for a university status, Dr. Genson sought the support of the different sectors and high ranking government officials in the province of Biliran and region 8 by signing an endorsement paper to be submitted to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon for the early passage of the bill into law in the Senate.

Meanwhile, in a previous interview with Congressman Gerry Boy Espina in one of his visits here, he said that converting NIT into a state university is his top priority being the representative of the people in Biliran province.

Congressman Espina said that he only continued what was started by his father, former Congressman Gerardo S. Espina, Sr. now mayor of Naval, who also worked hard for the conversion of NIT into a state university.

The young representative further said that the realization of the university status of NIT is the biggest thing he can contribute for the improvement of the educational status of the Biliranons and which can also contribute to the economic development of the province as a whole.