Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has assured students and teachers of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) that its main campus will remain on Agham Road in Diliman, Quezon City.
Aquino made the declaration during the 46th commencement exercises and 50th anniversary of the science school on Wednesday, March 26.
“Alam kong may mga agam-agam ukol sa nababalitang paglilipat ng inyong campus. Ako na mismo ang magsasabi sa inyo: Mananatili ang ‘Pisay’ (PSHS) sa Agham Road,” he said.
He stressed that Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, who was also present during the event, will be the first one to oppose the reported transfer.
“Si Mayor Herbert nga ho ang unang tututol kapag ililipat ito. ‘Di ba marami hong nag-aagawang maglagay ng campus sa kanilang mga lugar, papayag ba siyang alisin ang main campus ng Philippine Science High School sa Quezon City? Palagay ko hindi,” the president added.
The Diliman site was the first campus of the school when it was established in 1964. At present, there are 13 campuses of PSHS operating nationwide, four of which were constructed under the Aquino administration.
Unlike all other science high schools in the country which are under the Department of Education, the PSHS — known to students and the public as “Pisay” — is under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Aquino said DOST secretary Mario Montejo is targeting to build PSHS campuses in all 16 regions in the country by 2016.
Admission to the PSHS is by the National Competitive Examination or lateral admission. Out of 20,000 applicants nationwide, the top 240 students of the NCE are qualified to enter the main campus.
Graduates of the school are bound by law to major in the pure and applied sciences, mathematics, or engineering upon entering college.
