Ochoa Heirs Visit CSU

On April 28, 2017, all four great grandchildren of the first congresswoman of the Philippines Elisa Rosales Ochoa passed by Caraga State University for a visit to a relative and to see what they heard about CSU, its Eco-park, goods, and services. Unmindful of a great benefaction their great grandmother left for humanity.

CSU was first conceived in 1918 as the Agusan Agriculture High School (AAHS) thru the passage of an Omnibus Bill filed by the first congresswoman of the Philippines Elisa Rosales Ochoa. On February 14, 1920, Proclamation Number 4 was passed by the American Governor to the Philippines Francis Burton Harrison, declaring the reservation of a 232-hectare virgin forest land in Barrio Ampayon, in the Municipality of Butuan, province of Agusan del Norte as the grounds of the young school.

The first framework of the school building was laid down in 1937. However the development of the school was deferred as the government deviated to giving priority to serve the Manobo cultural minority through the creation of the Bunawan Agricultural High School in Agusan del Sur. It was at the close of World War II in 1946 that the Agusan Agricultural High School was established in the reserved area. The funding for the establishment of the school came from the Rehabilitation Act of 1946, the FAO-PHILCUSA, and the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia contingency fund.

After 17 years, in June 22, 1963, Republic Act 3604 was passed converting the school into the Northern Mindanao Agricultural College (NORMINAC). Nineteen years after, House Bill No. 25 was filed by Assemblyman Antonio Rosales Tupaz converting NORMINAC to the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST). The House Bill became Batas Pambansa Blg. 241 when President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed it into law on November 11, 1982. CSU came into being thru House Bill No. 5110 filed by Congressman Jose S. Aquino III with Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante as co-author and President Gloria M. Arroyo signed R.A. 9854 on December 16, 2009.

CSU President, Dr. Anthony M. Penaso emphasized the value of creating and leaving a legacy in one’s lifetime. He mentioned the values of commitment, dedication and devotion to be inculcated in the minds of the CSU family. He urged everyone to be thankful for the people who paved the way for the present. He also challenged everyone to make their own pathway and to leave a trail for everyone to emulate and to follow.

The Ochoa heirs expressed admiration to the development of CSU and vowed to continually support its undertaking in whatever way possible. The heirs Elbert, Enrique, Shanda, and Kristine toured the campus and visited the Public Information, Alumni, and External Affairs, Office of the President, snappily met Dr. Armie Leila M. Mordeno, Vice President for Administration, and ended with a courtesy call with the Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rolando N. Paluga who received them with so much candor and warmth. RAL