Republic Act 9854 integrates the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) in Ampayon, this city, and the Northern Mindanao College of Science and Technology (NMCAST) in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, with its main campus in Butuan City.

In her message, President Arroyo was hopeful for the continued growth and development of the University for a better Caraga Region. “Nga unta, sa  panghitabo, sa paghimong University, nga ang inyong Institute mulabaw pa ang kaledad ug investments diri, ug mao nga muabot kamo sa daghan pa nga kauswagan ug kalambuan dinhi sa Caraga, Congratulations sa inyong tanan!”, the President said in the local dialect. (President Arroyo learned the local dialect while spending some of her childhood years in Iligan City.)

The President also mentioned that she had been to NORMISIST before and was happy to be in the same place again. She remarked that “history repeat itself, but this time around, it is no longer NORMISIST but as a University already”. Big cheers and applause from the audience punctuated the end of her speech. 

Congressman Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II led all officials from Butuan City, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte in the ceremony. Congressman Aquino was the sponsor of House Bill 5110 in the House of Representatives which created the new University. Prior to the ceremonial signing of RA 9854, Congressman Aquino greeted all his colleagues from the House of Representatives who were present to witness the ceremony. He then gave his own message and introduced President Arroyo before she gave her speech.

According to the new law, Caraga State University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses within its areas of specialization, specifically, but not limited to the fields of agriculture and environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine and other health related programs, information technology, arts and sciences and other fields as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives particularly to meet the needs of the Caraga Region.

The existing secondary level will now be transferred under the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education but it was provided under RA 9854 that the students currently enrolled shall be allowed to remain until they have completed their secondary education.

President Arroyo’s delegation included her cabinet officials namely: Secretaries Joseph “Ace” H. Durano (Department of Agriculture), Cerge M. Remonde (Press), Victor Domingo (DPWH) and Marianito Roque (DOLE). 

Also present were the key Regional Directors and staffs from the different Government Offices such as the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Education (DepEd), among others.

President Arroyo left the venue soon after giving her message and traveled later to Bayugan City to inaugurate the Corn Post-Harvest Processing and Trading Center.

First posted: January 7, 2010. Written by: Engr. Jeffrey T. Dellosa. For comments and suggestions, please write the author at his email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it