JRMSU-Tampilisan Campus History
The History of Jose Rizal Memorial State College, Tampilisan Campus(1958-2007) By Conrado D. Rillera
Establishment Period
The history of Jose Rizal Memorial State College Tampilisan Campus is a remarkable epitone of educational landmark. The municipality of Liloy was the original site for the establishment of the school. The limited land area prompted the pioneers to move to valley known today as Tampilisan. The crystal falls of water cascading from the foot of Mt. Gampoy was the natural charm that convinced the pioneers of the ideal location for a future college. Mt Gampoy’s falls symbolized the fountain of wisdom which Dr. Jose Rizal acclaimed as the heritage of mankind.
On June 22, 1957, H. No 1899 otherwise known as RA 1896 was approved by congress “to established, organize and maintain one national agricultural school in the province of Zamboanga del Norte”. Thus on Dec. 16, 1958, the Zamboanga del Norte National Agricultural School was established. A few years later, it was converted into a college by virtue of H.No 741 under RA 3889 duely approved by Congress on June 18, 1964. Congressman Alberto Ubay spearheaded the conversion of the Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural College.
The Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural College has an erea of 2,330 hectars prime land reservation under Proclamation No. 113, dated May 25, 1963 during the era of President Diosdado Macapagal.
Early Courses
As stated earlier, ZNAC started as an agricultural high school in 1958. In 1965 the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with majors in Agronomy and Animal Husbandry started in 1978, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education was offered train vocational agricultural teachers. The Bachelor of Science in Forestry was 4 S 1981 the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Major in Agricultural Education was implemented in lieu of the B.S.Ag.Ed Course. In 1991, Technology and Home Economics was added as a major study of the BSA Curriculum.
The Administrators(1958-1964)
The pioneers assigned to administer the newly established school were men of courage and vision. Thier eperience it the various fields of government services paved way to the adoption of the ZNAC logo represented by torch and book for education, carabao and plow for labor industry in agriculture and wheel of business and entrepreneurship.
The first Administrator of Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural School was Mr. Doroteo P. Barbon in 1958. He was designated as the Teacher-in-Charge of the newly established agricultural high school.
Mr. Florencio Caguioa succeeded Mr. Barbon as principal from March 1959 to July 1960. The term of Mr. Caguioa was just a year when another administrator was appointed Mr. Jose M. Juban served for 3 years as principal form August 1960 to December 15, 1963.
Mr. Benigno G. Talamisan was the transitory administrator being the principal during the conversion of the Zamboanga National Agricultural College to Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural College(ZNAC). Mr. Talamisan served as principal from December 20, 1963 to 1964.
THE VOCATIONAL SUPERINTENDENTS(1964-1983)
The first administrator to be appointed as Vocational School Superintedent of ZNAC as Dr. Pedro L. Esteban. He pioneered in the opening of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. His six years term from 1964-1970 brought a promising future of employment for the new college graduates. He was hard working Ilocano.
Mr. Fernandico M. Cuaresma became the third Vocational School Superintendent. He served for eight years (1975-1983) in the Campus. The AgriTech Buiding, now College of Education was started during the time of Mr. Cuaresma. The expansion of the rubber tree planting was also embarked. The ZNAC school hymn “Paaralan Hirang” composed during his time, Dr. Conrado D. Rillera composed the lyrics and music with arrangement by Mr. Elidio S. Quiboyen Sr. This school song echoed for 20 years until its reintegration. The lyrics became the bonding reminder of the idylic pastoral scenery of thier alma mater.
The College Administrators(1983-2007)
The retirement of Mr. Fernandico M. Cuaresma in 1983 ushered the way of younger administrator, Dr. Wilfredo O. Albos who was fresh from his assignment as administrator in Sindangan National Agricultural School came to ZNAC with the mission to accomplish the programs started by his predecessors. The Research and Extension Program were given emphasis. The College of Education building was completed and the New Administration building was started. Elementary and High School Teachers in the region.
By virtue of the Reintegration Program of the Commission on Higher Education, the Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural College was reintegrated to the Jose Rizal Memorial State College based in Dapitan City. Thus, Dr. Wilfedo O. Albos was appointed as the Administrator until his retirement in February 19, 2002.
After a short period under the umbrella of Jose Rizal Memorial State College, ZNAC was integrated to the Western Mindanao State University during the time of Dr. Eldegario Gonzales, the WMSU President Dr. Rosa Acaso Albino became the second Campus Administrator under the reintegration program of the Commission on Higher Education. Her administration was an era of austerity. The New Administration buildings ground floor was finished during Dr. Albino’s term. A brand new vehicle was also purchased. Additional courses in Agricultural Engineering, Liberal Arts and Criminology were opened.
The issuance of CHED en banc resolution No. 332-2006 which provided for the recall of ZNAC from Western Mindanao State University for reintegration with Jose Rizal Memorial State College brought an atmosphere of unrest in the campus. A one year transition period was provided for the effectivity of the reintegration as per letter of the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education Carlito S. Puno.
On June 22, 2007 the student populace stage public rally against the reintegration of ZNAC WMSU ot ZNAC JRMSC. This is the first time since ZNAC became a College in 1964 that the student rally happened. It could be also the recalled that in 2006, the student attempts to stage a public rally during the reintegration and installation of Dr. Vicente Cabarse as OIC Campus Administrator of ZNAC. The plan however of the students was pacified after the negotiation with the student leaders. The June 22, 2007 student rally led by the Supreme Student Government President Ramel Carumba ended peacefully after a half day indignation program.
Dr. Francisco P. Tabiliran was installed as the new Campus OIC Administrator of the Jose Rizal Memorial State College on June 22, 2007. He is the ambassador of goodwill destined to unite the divided sympathy among the teachers, employees and student. His experience as an Administrator of the Katipunan Agricultural School JRMSC was indeed dynamic. He demonstrated the giant leap of changes in the ZNAC Campus. The five months period of his administration captured the hearts of this constituents. his participatory approach is demonstrated by his organization of the Executive Committee (EXECOM). The old Social Hall became a new with the improvement of the stage and glowing paints with installed electric fans. It serves as Students’ Activity Center. The total ban against smoking and alcoholism was strictly enforced.
The great challenge brought about by Dr. Tabiliran is the program for Accreditation. This indeed would propel JRMSC, Tampilisan Campus as the center of excellence in Zamboanga Peninsula. December 16 which is the foundation day of ZNAC will mark another milestone of historical record of the campus. Through the initiative of Dr. Tabiliran, the Jose Rizal Plaza shall be opened to the public . This features the monument of our national hero. Behind the scene is a beautiful landscape with the memoir of the past Campus Administrators of former Zamboanga del Norte Agricultural College. The visionary outlook of Dr. Tabiliran with his constituents headed by Dr. Milagros L. Rodriguez in the Academe will answer to the mission-vission of this campus as the center of excellence in the education of our youth as Rizal’s dream to be the hope of our fatherland.