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QUEZON PROVINCE — More students in Quezon could soon have access to public higher and specialized science education as the provincial government pushes plans for a new Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) campus in Sariaya and a Philippine Science High School (Pisay) campus in Lopez.

The proposed education projects are part of the province’s broader efforts to bring quality and affordable education closer to students, particularly those who may face financial or geographical barriers to studying in larger urban centers.

New PUP campus proposed in Sariaya

The Quezon provincial government is working with PUP on a plan to establish a new campus in Sariaya, Quezon.

According to the provincial government, Governor Helen Tan met with PUP President Manuel M. Muhi on July 8 to discuss expanding educational opportunities for students in the province.

Tan and PUP officials also inspected a property in Barangay Tumbaga I, Sariaya, which is being considered as a possible site for the proposed campus. The planned school is expected to offer various academic programs and make affordable public higher education available closer to communities in the area.

The proposed Sariaya campus would become the fifth PUP campus in Quezon Province if the project moves forward. PUP’s existing campus network in the province already includes locations such as Lopez.

For students and families, the potential impact is significant: attending college closer to home could reduce transportation, housing and other living expenses associated with studying farther away.

Pisay campus also being considered in Lopez

The province is also pursuing a separate proposal to establish another Philippine Science High School campus in CALABARZON, with Lopez, Quezon being considered as the location.

The initiative comes amid a broader national push to expand the PSHS System and give more students access to specialized science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

The expansion gained additional momentum following the enactment of Republic Act No. 12310, or the Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act, which provides a legal framework for expanding the country’s network of Philippine Science High School campuses.

The PSHS expansion is not limited to Quezon. Other regions are also preparing new campuses. For example, the PSHS-Negros Island Region campus in Bacolod is targeted to begin operations in July 2027, with an eventual capacity of up to 720 students.

Why the expansion matters

The proposed campuses could give more Filipino students access to government-supported education without requiring them to leave their home province.

The demand for specialized and public education remains strong. Earlier this year, PSHS reported that 78.06% of applicants for the 2026 admission cycle came from public schools, highlighting strong interest among public-school students in gaining access to the country’s specialized science high schools.

For Quezon, the proposed PUP and Pisay campuses could therefore become important additions to the province’s education infrastructure—particularly for students from communities far from existing major campuses.

Still, residents should note that the projects are plans and proposals at this stage. The announcements do not mean that either campus is already open for enrollment or that construction has been completed.

The provincial government says it will continue coordinating with the concerned educational institutions as plans move forward.

If realized, the projects could mark another major step in bringing affordable higher education and specialized STEM opportunities closer to Quezonian students.