A House Bill which aims to reclassify 292 hectares of public land in Barangay Lourdes, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, from timberland to agricultural land to serve as the site for the Science and Technology Park of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) has been approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on February 4, 2025. House Bill 4922, filed by Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, has been sent to the Senate for its approval.
House Bill No. 4922 seeks to amend the classification of this public domain land to facilitate the development of a research and innovation hub in Northern Mindanao.
The USTP Science and Technology Park is envisioned as a center for innovation, research, and industry collaboration. It will house laboratories, startup incubators, and technology-driven enterprises that will strengthen USTP’s role in advancing science, technology, and engineering education in the country.
Rep. Rodriguez highlighted the economic and academic impact of the project, stating, “This initiative will help bridge the gap between education and industry, creating opportunities for students, researchers, and businesses.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Rodriguez also filed House Bill No. 1451, which seeks to allocate P1 billion for the infrastructure development of the USTP Alubijid Campus. The bill emphasizes the need for funding to enhance facilities, construct academic buildings, and develop the Science and Technology Park. This bill is pending with the Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
On the other hand, House Bill No. 1457, also filed by Rodriguez, proposes the creation of the Techno-Parks Development Fund (TPDF). With an initial allocation of P4 billion, plus an additional P1 billion per year for five years, the fund aims to ensure the sustainability of industry-academe partnerships within the USTP Techno-Park. HB 1457 is pending with the Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
The USTP Alubijid Campus was designated as the university’s main campus under Republic Act 10919, principally authored by Rodriguez. The law merged the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) into a single institution, laying the foundation for USTP’s growth as a premier science and technology university.
