September 10, 2024 – The House of Representatives of the Philippines has approved on third reading House Bill No. 10820, which seeks to convert the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) in Malita, Davao Occidental into a state university. This approval marks a crucial step toward enhancing the institution’s educational services and its role in regional development.
Authored by Congressman Claude P. Bautista of Davao Occidental, the bill aims to transform SPAMAST into a full-fledged state university, providing broader academic programs, improved research facilities, and increased funding. This transformation is expected to benefit both the student body and the surrounding community, with a particular focus on advancing the agriculture and marine industries—key economic drivers in the area.