AT LEAST 500 senior high school graduates have flocked to the office of Mandaue City Councilor Malcolm Sanchez, hoping to secure endorsement letters that might boost their chances of getting into Mandaue City College (MCC) for the upcoming academic year 2025–2026.
On Monday, June 16, 2025, the sudden influx filled the city councilor’s office with long queues of hopeful students, many accompanied by their parents, seeking what they believe could be their last opportunity to pursue free college education.
Sanchez chairs the Committee on Education in the city.
He added that MCC has become increasingly sought after, not only for its no-tuition policy but also for its recent recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which has certified all of its academic programs.
“There are definitely more students now because education is free. Aside from that, all our programs are now certified by CHED. We’ve produced board topnotchers,” Sanchez said.
However, Sanchez was quick to clarify that an endorsement is not a ticket to automatic admission.
It is merely a show of support that may help a deserving student be reconsidered.
“They might be expecting that this endorsement letter is a guarantee of admission, but there’s still competition. The final decision lies with the MCC administration and the academic council,” he added.
According to Sanchez, over 300 applicants have already passed the school’s entrance exam and are currently undergoing interviews and medical clearance.
However, MCC has capped its intake at only 500 freshmen this school year due to limited resources—including the availability of classrooms, instructors, and facilities.
“This cap exists because we have to preserve the quality of education,” Sanchez said.
The sheer volume of applicants this year stands in sharp contrast to last year’s numbers.
In 2024, only about 150 students approached Sanchez’s office for endorsements.
At that time, around 400 applicants had passed the entrance exam.
This year, more than 500 students who did not pass are now seeking endorsements in hopes of being reconsidered.
“Last year was still manageable. But now, the number of applicants has really increased. It just shows how many families are truly looking for accessible and affordable college education,” he said.
Among those appealing for a second chance is Christian Tagluco, a senior high school graduate who dreams of pursuing a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing.
He failed the initial entrance exam and interview but hopes an endorsement might give him another opportunity.
“If I don’t get a slot, maybe I’ll just try again next year or next semester. Or go to a private college, but we’re not financially stable. I’m praying to be accepted. I’ll really make up for it in the interview,” he said.
Like Tagluco, many of the students who visited Sanchez’s office come from low-income households and see MCC as their best, if not only, chance at earning a degree.
Sanchez said MCC prioritizes residents of Mandaue City in its admissions.
However, even within that group, competition remains tight due to the high number of applicants.
“While we want to help everyone, we also have to be realistic. Our endorsements are not guarantees,” he said.
As students continue to line up at City Hall, Sanchez’s office is doing its best to accommodate each request while managing expectations. / CAV