- Pangasinan Polytechnic College expands its scholarship intake by 700 additional slots, increasing access to free tertiary education for local students.
- Admissions under the CHED UniFast program will support eligible students with full or partial tuition subsidies in skills-based courses.
- The initiative strengthens higher education accessibility and workforce-focused training in Pangasinan while easing provincial education funding pressures.
The Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) in Lingayen is opening wider doors for higher education as it begins admission tests for an additional 700 scholars, expanding opportunities beyond its existing 1,200 scholars. This move is drawing strong attention from nearly 2,000 Pangasinense students who registered for the entrance examination held from April 15 to 16, highlighting the rising demand for accessible free tertiary education in the province.
Successful examinees will be eligible for free college education supported under the UniFast program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which provides full or partial subsidies for qualified students in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and selected private higher education institutions. According to Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, this transition marks a major step forward in making higher education accessibility more sustainable while optimizing government resources.
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Previously, PPC’s scholarship initiatives were funded through the provincial government’s educational budget. With CHED UniFast funding now taking the lead, freed-up local funds can be redirected toward other priority needs such as education infrastructure, additional school buildings, and campus development projects. This shift is expected to strengthen long-term investment in the province’s education system while maintaining strong student support.
As a polytechnic college, PPC continues to focus on skills-based education, preparing students for real-world careers through programs in Public Administration, Multimedia Arts, Special Needs Education, and Agribusiness. The institution aims to equip young learners with both academic knowledge and practical training to enhance employability after graduation.
Established through a provincial ordinance passed on June 26, 2023, and operational since 2024, the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) is governed by a board led by the governor and the college president. This expanding scholarship program reinforces PPC’s growing role in shaping skills development, youth empowerment, and inclusive higher education access in Pangasinan.
