The Abra State Institute of Science Technology (ASIST) in the capital town of Bangued and Lagangilang town is now a university.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11574 last July 27 creating the University of Abra, formerly the ASIST.
RA 11574 read ASIST is “hereby converted into a stae university, to be known as the University of Abra. Its main campus shall be located in the municipality of Lagangilan.”
The president signed the conversion of ASIST into the AU due to bills filed and passed in both Houses of Congress.
Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Nino Bernos principally authored the conversion bill and was passed in the Lower House on September 1 last year and which was subsequently tackled in the Upper House and which was approved last May 24.
Bernos was the one who broke the news this week as he got a copy of the signed act.
Abrenians on Facebook hailed the conversion of the school into a university and thanked Bernos for his efforts in having the law enacted.
Netizen Kiem Ags Salibad wrote: “We must have excellent teachers, doctorate teachers and higher standard professors there… And must have also other higher course(s). Thank you for your high dream cong. JB Bernos.”
A certain Bobot Andrada called it a legacy of the congressman when he wrote: “One of the best legacies of our Cong. JB Bernos… Congrats!”
Last May 24, the Senate approved its conversion through a bill filed by Bernos in the House of Representatives earlier.
The Abra Province Facebook page made the announcement last May 27 when it posted: “Babaen iti panangilungalong ni Cong. JB Bernos ti University of Abra Bill wenno ti panagbalin ti Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) a maysa nga Unibersidad, maur-uray laengen ti pirma ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte tapno agbalin daytoy a linteg (Through the initiative of Cong. JB Bernos, the University of Abra bill that will convert the Abra State Instutute of Science and Technology (ASIST) into a university [happened],.. Only the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte is awaited to make it into a law).”
“Maragsakan ti entero nga ASIST iti daytoy gapuen ta ad adun ton iti kurso nga idiaya ti pageskwelaan ken saanen a masapul dagiti agtutubo nga Abrenio iti mapan kadagiti unibersidad iti ruar ti Abra (The entire ASIST [faculty, staff and students] is happy with this development since it is expected that more courses will be offered and Abra students need not go to universities outside of Abra).” ASIST president Gregorio Turqueza said.
“Hopefully (it will happen) so that my child will not go out of Abra and save on expenses like board and lodging,” said a certain Divie Macario.
“Baguio no more,” wrote Chelle Bersamin Bocarile with a smiley emoji and peace sign.
“That is a good news and not just Covid everyday which is tiresome,” wrote Key Vasquez with a laugh.
