ACC gains strategic insights from Metro Manila universities, advances vision toward local university status
Reaffirming its commitment to institutional transformation and academic excellence, Abuyog Community College (ACC) conducted a series of strategic benchmarking visits to three leading local universities in Metro Manila namely, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP) on July 28, Quezon City University (QCU), and Universidad de Manila (UDM) on July 30, 2026, to gather best practices that will strengthen the College’s roadmap toward becoming a future local university.
The benchmarking initiatives formed part of ACC’s long-term strategic vision of achieving local university status by enhancing governance, quality assurance, academic innovation, institutional branding, sustainability, and public service while aligning with national standards for higher education.
Leading the ACC delegation were Hon. Mayor Lemuel Gin K. Traya, Executive Chairman of the ACC Board of Trustees; Hon. Luz Concha K. Daganzo, Municipal Administrator and ACC Board Member; Hon. Erwin V. Belleza, Sangguniang Bayan Member and ACC Board Member; and Dr. Clemelle L. Montallana, College President. They were joined by members of the Board of Trustees, municipal officials, college administrators, faculty representatives, and distinguished ACC alumni recognized for their outstanding performance in the Licensure Examination for Teachers.
The first benchmarking engagement took place at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, where the delegation was warmly welcomed at the PLP Banquet Hall. The university showcased its institutional best practices alongside innovative governance and public service initiatives presented by the Pasig Public Information Office.
The discussions highlighted effective models in higher education management, strategic governance, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships that contribute to institutional growth and responsive public service.
The delegation likewise visited Quezon City University, where ACC officials explored innovative programs focused on environmental sustainability, urban greening, smart campus initiatives, robotics, and technology-driven learning.
Continuing its learning journey, ACC visited Universidad de Manila, where the delegation was welcomed by UDM President Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, who emphasized the shared responsibility of local higher education institutions to provide accessible, inclusive, and quality education that contributes to nation-building and community development.
Recognizing ACC’s aspiration to become a university, UDM shared its own institutional journey from a city college to a recognized university, providing valuable lessons on strategic planning, governance structures, quality assurance systems, and organizational development that supported its successful transition.
Across the benchmarking activities, discussions centered on seven strategic areas: institutional growth and university transition, governance and Board of Trustees performance, strategic budgeting and resource management, public information and institutional branding, accreditation and quality assurance, industry-responsive academic programs, and inclusive education initiatives that promote social mobility.
Among the key takeaways were effective governance mechanisms in policy formulation, curriculum enhancement, maximizing local government support for institutional development, pathways toward Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and ALCUCOA accreditation, strategic public communication, and the development of academic programs aligned with workforce demands and community needs.
For ACC College President Dr. Clemelle L. Montallana, the benchmarking visits represented more than institutional exchanges—they reflected ACC’s unwavering commitment to continuous innovation and long-term institutional readiness.
“This benchmarking visit strengthens our journey toward universityhood because it allows us to see beyond where we are today and prepares us for where we aspire to be. It is a strategic innovation on ACC’s part. We need to continuously enhance our operational systems, academic programs, governance, and institutional directions,” Montallana said.
He underscored that ACC’s vision is to become a local university, inspired by the successful journeys of the institutions it visited.
Montallana further emphasized that universityhood remains a strategic aspiration anchored on deliberate preparation and higher institutional standards.
“Our goal is to become a local university—not a state university. The universities we visited have demonstrated that transformation is possible through sustained commitment to quality. If we achieve ALCUCOA accreditation, we move closer to that vision. We will not simply settle for CHED compliance; we aspire to pursue higher accreditation that reflects institutional excellence.”
He added that transforming ACC into a university may seem ambitious, but every established university once began with a vision supported by careful planning and sustained development.
The benchmarking visits reinforced ACC’s commitment to translating the best practices gathered from Metro Manila universities into concrete institutional initiatives that strengthen quality assurance, improve governance, promote sustainability, enhance organizational efficiency, elevate academic competitiveness, and expand meaningful community engagement.