The newly completed four-storey building at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Mabini Campus significantly expands access to quality, flexible higher education for thousands of Filipino students under the PUP Open University program.
The building stands as a modern learning hub dedicated to PUP’s open and distance education programs, Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon of the Department of Budget and Management said after DBM officials inspected the facility on June 10 to assess implementation and ensure public funds translate into meaningful services.
Built at a cost of PhP 185 million, the new facility _”strengthens the university’s capacity to offer affordable and flexible degree and non-degree programs, helping democratize access to quality higher education beyond the limitations of conventional classrooms,”_ De Leon stressed.
The project is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide better learning opportunities and ensure that public funds translate into meaningful services for the Filipino people.
“Malinaw ang direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na dapat maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino ang bawat sentimong nagmumula sa pambansang budget. Kaya sa bawat proyektong natatapos at bawat silid-aralang naipatatayo, pinatutunayan natin na ang budget ay hindi lamang numero sa papel, kundi konkretong serbisyo, tunay na oportunidad, at mas magandang kinabukasan para sa ating mga kababayan—lalo na para sa ating mga mag-aaral,” De Leon said.
According to De Leon, the project exemplifies how the national budget can be turned into real opportunities that directly improve people’s lives.
“Sa DBM, naniniwala kami na dapat nakikita at nararamdaman ng mamamayan kung saan napupunta ang kanilang buwis. Ang gusaling ito ay patunay na kapag maayos na napaplano at naipapatupad ang budget, nagiging tunay itong puhunan para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
He further noted that expanding access to education remains one of the government’s most important investments for nation-building.
“Dapat bida ang mag-aaral. Dapat bida ang mamamayan. At dapat bayan ang makinabang. Naniniwala ang administrasyong Marcos na ang de-kalidad na edukasyon ay hindi gastos—ito ay pamumuhunan sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa.”_
Working professionals, teachers, out-of-school youth, and learners facing financial, geographical, or time constraints who cannot attend traditional classroom-based programs will benefit from the project.
The PUP Open University System plays a vital role in democratizing access to education by offering affordable and flexible pathways to degree and non-degree programs. Through dedicated facilities designed for open and distance learning, the new building strengthens the university’s capacity to reach more Filipinos and provide quality education beyond the conventional classroom setting.