The Loyola College of Culion, before it has reached its present status, underwent various stages. Pertinent documents and records tell that in 1939, the Philippine government recognized and authorized the operation of Culion Catholic Primary School. The school was then limited to the education of women lepers who were called, “Hijas de Maria”. They were housed in a government dormitory, portions of which were utilized as the first classrooms. The establishment of this first private education institution in Culion, Palawan, was made possible under the auspices of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). In 1948, the school turned into a full-pledged co-educational grade school. It, however, remained exclusive for the victims of leprosy. Only in the mid-50’s, with the enactment of the Liberalization Law for Lepers, did the doors of the school opened for all.
The demand for higher learning was the clamor of the time; thus, the school was expanded by having a secondary education. Consequently, from 1951 to 1955, it was named St. Ignatius High School. In 1962, it was elevated to an academy, thus, was renamed St. Ignatius Academy.
The desire of the Jesuits for educational development and spiritual upliftment of the people of Culion, including the natives and the inhabitants of the neighboring municipalities, gave birth to the first and only private college in Culion. In the beginning the college was named St. Ignatius College, but was changed later to its present name, Loyola College of Culion.
With the support of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres and the local government, it cannot be denied that the Society of Jesus Philippine Province has successfully established a total and complete educational institution in Culion, enough to combat illiteracy and ignorance of the constituents thereat.
Current Situation
Although leprosy in Culion has been totally eradicated, the stigma, however, still remains. The small municipality is poor and is mostly dependent on fishing and farming. Loyola College of Culion, therefore, continues to help finance the education of many of the poor inhabitants of Culion and its surrounding islands and municipalities. For this school year 2008-2009, Loyola College of Culion has a total of 554 students (262 in Grade School, 218 in High School, and 74 in College). But the survival of the school mostly depends on the subsidy from the Society of Jesus - Philippine Province and ANESVAD. The education of each students is, in fact, 70% subsidized (60% by ANESVAD, and 10% by the Jesuits). Furthermore, about 40% of the students receive scholarships from various agencies over and above the huge subsidy that is already provided by ANESVAD and the Society of Jesus.
However, the contract with ANESVAD, a funding institution from Spain, is ending in May 2009. ANESVAD has already announced the cessation of the contract and its non-renewal.
The poor families of the students of Loyola College of Culion clearly cannot afford to shoulder the full amount of the cost of education of their children. The Society of Jesus also cannot afford to take on the 60% subsidy that ANESVAD has been giving. With the eventual withdrawal of ANESVAD in 2009, therefore, Loyola College of Culion will have to look for alternative sources of funding to sustain its operation, otherwise, the school will have to close down.
Education of the people in Culion remains a very important and a much-needed program in uplifting poverty in this place. Furthermore, since Culion together with its neighboring islands in Calamianes have wonderful natural resources such as beaches and diving sites, the local government has slowly been developing the area for tourism. Education of the people of Culion and its neighboring islands (with indigenous people) will be helpful in protecting and ensuring the people from abuse of their dignity and their natural heritage as a people.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 June 2009 05:59
