More than Just a Day: Unpacking the ‘True’ Founding of BiPSU
Celebrating the Roots and Journey of an Institution
As August comes to a close, the air at Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) grows heavy with anticipation. The bustling campuses prepare for an occasion held dear to the community’s heart — the founding anniversary of the institution. But why is August 31 the chosen date (or for the sake of discussion, one of the dates), despite the university having a longer, layered history? The answer is rooted in not just legal technicalities, but also in the customs, practices, and most significantly, the essence of what it means to be an institution of higher learning.
The Importance of a Founding Anniversary
Founding anniversaries are not merely a reason for festive gatherings, they are the cornerstone for any institution to look back at its origins, achievements, and struggles. Celebrating an anniversary provides the current generation of learners, faculty, and staff the opportunity to honor the visionaries who laid the foundation for the institution. It’s a day to reflect on collective goals, appreciate the distance traversed, and gear up for the miles yet to be covered.
A Timeline of Milestones
To truly understand why BiPSU considers August 31 as its founding anniversary, let’s delve into the historical milestones that have shaped this institution:
- October 30, 1945: Municipal Resolution №. 35 by Naval Mayor Hon. Caneja established the institution as a secondary public high school. 2023 marks its 78th year as a learning institution.
- June 19, 1965: Converted to Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) through Republic Act 4309. This conversion marks the establishment of a higher education institution. 2023 marks its 58th year in this capacity.
- October 14, 2009: Renamed as Naval State University through RA 9718, effective after 15 days from the date. This marks its 14th year as a state university in 2023.
- January 3, 2019: Naval State University was converted to the now Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) through RA 11170, effective 15 days later. 2023 marks its 4th year as BiPSU.
Why August 31?
Given this timeline, you may ask, why not celebrate the founding anniversary on June 19, 1965, when the institution became a center for higher learning as NIT? Legally, the Naval Institute of Technology was established on that day through Republic Act 4309. However, based on interviews with senior and retired university key officials, it wasn’t until August 31, 1972, that the national government finally allotted the budget requirements to NIT for it to effectively operate. This was the same case with Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) where it was converted to a state college through RA 5101 on June 17, 1967, but was only formally organized and operated as a chartered state college on August 31, 1972.
In many ways, this allocation of funds breathed life into the paper entity created in 1965. The leaders of the institution recognized the critical importance of this event. The budget allowed the college to commence its real journey toward academic excellence, fulfill its mandate, and serve the community at large. August 31 represents not just the moment when the institution legally came into being, but the day when it could practically achieve its goals and mission.
My personal take
If I were to unilaterally decide, I would most definitely choose October 30, 1945, as the founding anniversary date for the institution. The reason does not require rocket science. Since it’s the date where the origin of the institution can be traced back as an institution of learning, it’s the justifiable date when founding anniversary celebrations can be reckoned. This argument also aligns with what PIT does. In 2021, for example, they celebrated their 60th founding anniversary. As can be gleaned below and based on RA 3394, the law that established Palompon School of Arts and Trades in the Municipality of Palompon, Province of Leyte, PIT considers 1961 as its founding date, the year when it was founded as a high school.
Arguably, this could be an option for BiPSU in celebrating its foundation, that is, choosing October 30, 1945, the date when it was established as a high school, as the founding anniversary date. After all, BiPSU was established in 1945 based on its official logo.
Nevertheless, I cannot undermine the history and memories of the giants whose shoulders the university stand on, those who, as a community, selected August 31 as the date when the founding should be celebrated.
The Customs and Traditions
The importance of recognizing August 31 as the institution’s founding anniversary has become a significant custom, deeply embedded in BiPSU’s culture. This custom underscores the weight given to the allocation of resources that propelled the institution into effective operation. After all, an institution is not just a sum of legal clauses but a living, breathing entity fueled by resources — both human and material.
What now?
Biliran Province State University has had several milestones in its rich history — each one important, each one contributing to its legacy. Yet, it’s the pivotal moment on August 31, 1972, that stands out as the institution’s reckoning date. It reminds us that laws can establish institutions, but it takes resources and collective efforts to build and sustain them.
As BiPSU celebrates its founding anniversary this year, that is, the 51st following the 1972 reckoning point, the community not only commemorates its various milestones but also cherishes the customs and traditions that keep its identity alive. Here’s to many more years of impactful learning, community service, excellence, and weaving of worthiness!
Happy Founding Anniversary, BiPSU!
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Disclaimer: This article should not be construed as the official stance of the university as my views may not necessarily reflect the institution’s position on this matter.
