While the bill granting national polytechnic university (NPU) status to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) was vetoed, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains supportive of the university’s efforts to achieve such recognition.

In a briefing on Friday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro affirmed the President’s continued support for PUP’s aspiration to become a national polytechnic university.

“Mananatili naman po ang Pangulo at umaasa siya na ang PUP po ay magkakaroon din po ng national university status kapag po na-comply po nila lahat ng mga requirements,” Castro said.

Castro confirmed the President’s veto of the bill granting NPU status, citing the university’s non-fulfillment of certain requirements based on an earlier assessment.

“Ang sinasabi pong bill ay na-veto ng Pangulo dahil nagkaroon po ng direktiba noon pa po ng 2016 na dapat magkaroon ng assessment. At sa ngayon po, lumalabas na hindi po nagkaroon ng compliance para sa assessment ng nasabing paaralan,” Castro said.

The NPU bill aims to strengthen and empower the PUP by amending its charter.

If enacted into law, the NPU “shall offer primarily higher occupational, technical and professional instruction and training in the fields of engineering and architecture, applied sciences, accountancy, law, education, business and management.”

It shall also promote applied research, advance studies, and foster progressive leadership in these fields. | PND