Cosalan praises, challenges BSU on progress, budget

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - Representative Ronald Cosalan lauded achievements of the Benguet State University but challenged the institution to do more.

Cosalan challenged the state university to hurdle the budget cut for institutions by tapping resources to maximize their assets.

The university is celebrating its 25th year as a premier state university in the region known as a pioneer of organic agriculture with the theme "BSU: Sustaining Commitment towards Excellence."

Cosalan said improved marketing strategies will bring the institution to greater heights as well as economic gains.

University president Rogelio Colting opened exhibits with the university museum, Wednesday morning.

For the foundation day celebration the university is opening services for the public including dental services, legal services, critical incidence stress debriefing, nutrition counseling, plant health clinic, soil testing analysis and anti-rabies vaccination.

Farmers interested to join the plant health clinic and the soil testing analyses are advised to bring soil and plant samples for free technical advice.

Colting in his speech paid tribute to past school presidents Fortunato Battad and Lucio Victor who were vital in the university's progress.

BSU is a 90-year-old school. Its history dates back 1916, the year when the La Trinidad Experiment Station of the Bureau of Agriculture was turned over to the Bureau of Education.

In 1946, the school became the La Trinidad Agricultural High School. Four years later, a provincial normal curriculum was added to its agricultural education program. The said curriculum was abolished in 1953 and a two-year post high school certificate in agricultural education was offered.

The school was renamed La Trinidad National Agricultural School (LTNAS). Four months later, it was nationalized and named the Mountain National Agricultural School (MNAS). It was soon converted into the Mountain National College (MNAC); Mountain Agricultural College (MAC); and eventually, the Mountain State Agricultural College (MSAC) in 1969 through RA 5923.

On Jan. 12, 1986 , the college was converted to a state university by virtue of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 2010 signed by President Marcos. (Ma. Elena Catajan)