MANDAUE City Mayor Glenn Bercede plans to request Mandaue City College (MCC) to open more slots for senior high school graduates. MCC currently has 150 slots for those who did not pass the entrance exam in late May 2025.
In an interview on Monday, June 23, 2025, Bercede said he will appeal to MCC Administrator Joey Rivamonte as many students are seeking endorsements from the City Council's Committee on Education after failing the exam.
While Bercede did not specify a number, he said his request aims to help more students, especially those from low-income families, access MCC's free college education.
"We will request Mr. Rivamonte if it would be possible to add more slots so we can help other students who really want to study. There are so many who are hoping for free education," Bercede said.
MCC's current capacity for incoming freshmen is 700. The final list for endorsed students depends on exam scores and interviews.
In a separate interview, Rivamonte said the college would follow the mayor's instructions as the mayor chairs the MCC board, and MCC operates under the local government.
"That would not be a problem. We will acknowledge the request because the mayor is the chairman of the board. MCC is under the LGU, and we are one of its departments. We will simply follow and wait for the mayor's instructions," Rivamonte said.
Rivamonte added that increasing student numbers would require more resources.
"Our only request is that additional manpower, facilities, and classrooms be provided so we can still properly cater to the students," he said.
When asked about his message to students and parents who are still hoping to get into MCC despite not passing the entrance exam, Rivamonte expressed understanding and said the final decision would depend with the incoming administration.
"We hope the incoming mayor will approve the request, since he will serve as the new chairman of the board. They are the ones who approve, sign, and give instructions. As for us, we only follow," he said.
Mayor Bercede will make his request before his term ends.
Mayor-elect Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano takes office on June 30, weeks before MCC classes start in August.
Bercede hopes the new administration will continue to expand educational access for Mandauehanons. (Jeanette Arinque, HNU Intern)