ILOILO CITY – The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) marked a significant milestone on Friday by breaking ground for its new College of Law Building in Iloilo City. This development is set to establish a permanent base for the university’s law extension program, which currently operates with over 100 students.
Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano expressed optimism about the program’s future, stating that it could evolve into a full-fledged College of Law at UP Visayas. He noted that the program’s growth depends on attracting more students and faculty from UP Diliman in Quezon City. Camposano emphasized the need for collaboration with the UP System to achieve this goal.
The funding for the first phase of the building project, amounting to PHP100 million, was secured by Education Secretary Sonny Angara during his tenure as a senator. Angara, along with Iloilo Third District Representative Lorenz Defensor, UP College of Law Associate Dean Andre Palacios, and leaders from other local universities offering law programs, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
Camposano highlighted that the law program, which began during his first term under the initiative of UP President Danilo Concepcion, draws students not only from Iloilo but also from regions like Leyte, Cebu, and Mindanao. This broad student base underscores the demand for UP-branded legal education across the southern Philippines.
The chancellor is confident that the new building will not only serve as a hub for legal education but also enhance Iloilo’s reputation as a center for high-quality legal studies. He envisions a collaborative environment with other law schools in Iloilo, many of which are run by UP Visayas alumni.
The new three-story law building, designed to mirror the main structure of UP Visayas, is expected to be completed within a year.