University of Rizal System - Rodriguez

              The University of Rizal System-Rodriguez was selected for the conduct of the study since the researchers and their respondents are both studying in this campus. This is one of the campuses of URS. It was formerly known as Rizal National College in Tanay, which stated in 1959. It became Rizal State College after several years of its operation and extended its branches to the neighboring town of Rizal such as Angono, Antipolo, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, Tanay and Taytay.

              Rizal State College is an extension college of which the main campus is in Tanay, Rizal. This is a chartered state college whose main thrusts are agriculture, science and technology, teacher education and occupational needs of the constituents of Rodriguez and neighboring towns. It aims to provide among others appropriate technologies on community-based enterprises, which would in the long run benefit most of the residents of Rodriguez and its neighboring towns. Its commitment to education, service and development extends not only to the community, town or province but the regional and national level as well.

              Rizal State College Rodriguez came about as a result of concerted effort of three key figures in the province of Rizal whose common goal is to make Rizal an education center that can eventually accommodate the growing population of the metropolis who are expected to take a suburban alternative where they could pursue their courses and have gainful jobs in the end.

              The three key figures are Congressman Emigdio Tanjuatco of Rizal, who proposed to Dr. Heralco D. Lagrada, the College President, that an extension campus of Rizal State College be erected either in San Mateo or in Rodriguez, and Rodriguez Town Mayor Pedro S. Cuerpo who offered a school site for the extension campus of Rizal State College.

              In April 1996, Rizal State College Rodriguez was a reality. Under the supervision of its first director Dr. Virgie N. Callo, in the semester of its operation school year 1996-1997, the college was able to borrow sex classrooms from San Jose Elementary School. But in the second semester of the same school year, when its first building was ready for occupancy, the college was permanently transferred to its present site, Amityville Subd. Barangay San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal. At that time also, Mr. Jonathan R. Peñada succeeded the directorship from Dr. Vergie N. Callo.

              With the initial enrollment of 245 students in June 1996, Rizal State College Rodriguez barely on its second year of operation had doubled its enrollment in the first semester and had turn down more than fifty percent of the total number of enrollment to ensure a high level of proficiency in the instruction and in the learning level.

              In response to the growing population of Rodriguez Campus, two buildings were constructed, the Tanjuatco Building and the Rodriguez building with six classrooms. A few years later, the Ynares building with eight classrooms was also erected.

              On August 11, 2001, by virtue of Republic Act 9157, the RSC, RPC, and RTU complex were renamed as University of Rizal System. As university, it shall embody the ideals of education and strive to uplift the literacy level of Rizal folks and its neighboring towns as well as provide the needs of the community by preparing students for gainful occupation through quality education.

              Hence, school year 2001-2002 marks the birth of an additional and new institute, the Institute of Social Work and Community Development. It started with 75 students with Mrs. Ma. Lo Anne L. De Mundo as head of the institute.

              At present, the University of Rizal System Rodriguez has four buildings: School of Education (SE), School of Business and Commerce (SB), School of Agriculture (SA0, and College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD). The courses offered in the campus are Bachelor of Secondary and Elementary Education, Social Work and Community Development, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, Bachelor in Cooperatives, Diploma in Computer Secretarial and Associate in Cooperatives.

              Once and for all, University of Rizal System has truly become the alternative education center away from the traffic and pollution problem of its neighboring metropolis-Manila, Quezon City and Marikina City – and yet responsive to the basic needs of the constituents of Rodriguez and its neighboring towns.