Established in 2000, Baao Community College (BCC) has continuously produced a large number of graduates every academic year. Managed and operated by the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, it remains the community college with the largest student enrollment in the province. This year, over 1,800 graduates received their diplomas during the 24th Commencement Exercises on June 29-30, 2026 at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex, Pili.
The graduating class earned degrees across a wide range of courses, including Bachelor of Secondary Education with majors in English, Science, Filipino, Values Education, Social Studies, and Mathematics; Bachelor of Elementary Education; Bachelor of Science in Information Systems; Bachelor of Engineering Technology with majors in Automotive Technology and Electronics Technology; Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with majors in Automotive Technology and Electronics Technology; and Associate in Computer Technology.
“Our family has always believed that the greatest investment we can make is not in building roads, not in infrastructure—it is in our people, especially our youth. Kami, kayo, tayong lahat, naniniwala that the best investment talaga ay ang satuyang kajovenan. That is why today, ang probinsya ng Camarines Sur proud to say, that it is the only province with the most community colleges built and operated in the whole country,” shared Governor Lray Villafuerte during his Commencement Address.
Beyond expanding access to classrooms, Governor Villafuerte detailed his administration’s plans to build a 200-hectare Global City designed to serve as a premier hub for business, education, technology, tourism, manufacturing, and innovation. This mega-project aims to create a robust local job market specifically tailored to absorb local graduates.
“We are not only providing scholarships, we are not only building colleges—we are building a city for the future. Our vision is simple: we want CamSur graduates to find world-class careers without having to leave their families behind. Gusto po namin magkaroon ng mga young professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, nurses, architects, IT specialists, and creatives to build successful careers dito na po mismo sa CamSur. Not because they have no choice, but because CamSur has become a place of opportunity,” the Governor added.
The graduation ceremony highlighted inspiring stories of perseverance against the odds, proving that higher education remains a powerful equalizer.
For 44-year-old Michelle Abad of San Jose, Pili, walking on stage to receive her degree in secondary education majoring in Social Studies was a profoundly triumphant milestone. Juggling her studies, a job, and her responsibilities as a mother of five was an immense challenge—yet her family served as her ultimate inspiration to excel.
Abad was driven by a deep desire to fulfill her late parents’ dream of having a college graduate in the family, proudly dedicating this milestone to their memory.
“Tinupad ko po [na makatapos] para sa mga magurang ko. And para maging inspirasyon din ako sa mga tugang ko, na dawa may family na, gusto ko makapadagos din sinda sa pagklase. Dahil nasa education din po ang work ko, mas na-inspire din po ako kang mga coworkers ko na magpadagos. Very important po ang education kasi dakol ka pong mamo-mold na mga kabataan sa ngunyan and matatawan sindang pag-asa,” Abad shared.
She credited BCC’s flexible educational model for making her success possible.
“Napili ko ang BCC kasi ang mode of teaching nila ay may online, may face-to-face. As a working student po, nabigyan nila ako ng chance na makapagtapos kasi nga yung mode of teaching nila ay naka-align sa aking trabaho. Also, ang quality of education sa BCC ay naka-standard sa CHED. Mataas din po ang rating ng passers nila sa [LET], kaya salute po ako sa administration kang BCC dahil sa goal ninda na talagang higher education,” she added.
Following graduation, Abad plans to review for the Licensure Examination for Teachers while continuing her current role as an Administrative Aide at DepEd CamSur.
Similarly, 23-year-old Shanne SA. Buere, from Sagrada, Buhi, emerged as a proud product of the institution. Graduating with a degree in elementary education, she bore witness to the competence of the instructors who shaped her academic journey.
“Sa apat na taon ko pong pag-eskwela sa BCC, sobrang na-overwhelm po 'yung puso ko kasi kahit na sinasabi nila na ‘BCC lang 'yan,’ pero 'yung quality ng education po sa BCC ay wala pong makakapantay. Nung kinuha ko po itong BEEd, hindi po ako masyadong nakakapagsalita sa unahan. Pero dahil po sa pag-aral ko sa BCC, na-mold po ako na maging confident, lalo na sa pagtuturo at pagsasalita sa unahan,” Buere recalled.
As the youngest of six siblings, Buere faced significant financial hurdles. With her father working as a construction worker, and her mother managing their home, funding a college education seemed nearly impossible. The free higher education scheme offered by BCC became her vital lifeline.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa BCC, sa ating administration, and staff. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa walang sawang pagsuporta sa inyong mga estudyante dahil kung wala po kayo, wala rin po kami kung saan po kami ngayon. And nagpapasalamat rin po ako sa ating governor na si Lray Villafuerte kasi po hanggang ngayon, sinusuportahan niya pa rin po ang BCC,” Buere expressed.
To date, BCC boasts a thriving student population of approximately 9,000 students, with enrollment expected to surge further following its upcoming conversion into Rinconada State College. This institutional evolution promises to unlock vast new opportunities for students, faculty, and the entire administration.
The Provincial Government remains committed to empowering the youth of Camarines Sur by ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of academic and professional excellence. By establishing more community colleges and by expanding accessible, CHED-compliant tertiary education, CamSur is doing more than just granting diplomas—it is actively realizing dreams and securing future for the entire community.
