“Looking back, mas nami gid tani kon madamo nga programs ang pilian.”
Amid her grateful disposition, Iloilo City Community College (ICCC) alumna Apple Belandres shared that she wished she had more programs to choose from during her time at the college. Belandres took up Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, one of only two courses offered when she enrolled in 2018, the other being Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management.
Since then, ICCC has steadily expanded its academic offerings and strengthened its commitment to accessible education for Ilonggos.
“If we want to solve the issue of poverty, isa gid ya ka bulig ang education — free education for the Ilonggos. Ang aton mga students, once makagraduate, ma-employed sang insakto kag makabulig sa pamilya,” said Mayor Raisa Treñas.
With a long-term vision of making the college self-sustaining, the city government is crafting an independent development plan to ensure ICCC’s continued growth, mindful of budgetary requirements and national-level allocations.
The proposed satellite campus in Fort San Pedro, City Proper will include six school buildings with 45 classrooms, an administrative building, library, computer laboratory, school clinic, virtual office, and a covered gymnasium.
“We’re very lucky because Iloilo City is among the few colleges in Western Visayas receiving continued support,” said Mayor Treñas, noting that with the help of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the city is able to sustain free tuition for indigent but qualified students.
The push for expansion gained urgency after CHED national and regional officials visited the campus in 2025 and flagged deficiencies in facilities required under updated standards.
According to Mayor Treñas, the agency sought the city government’s firm commitment to upgrade and expand its college to meet compliance and create a more conducive learning environment.
At present, ICCC offers two additional programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminology (BSCrim) and Bachelor of Special Needs Education major in Early Childhood Education (BSNEd–ECED).
However, with 1,300 enrolled students and only 16 available classrooms, space constraints remain a challenge. To temporarily accommodate the growing student population, classes are being held at the Injap Building, Diamond Jubilee Hall, and the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) Molo campus.
The existing four-storey ICCC building, donated in 2012 by businessman Edgar “Injap” Sia II, will continue to serve as part of the institution even after the expansion.
“Injap has been helpful sa aton school. Since natukod asta subong, whatever nga mga projects, nagabulig gid si Injap,” Mayor Treñas added. (Iloilo City PIO)
