DAVAO CITY — The City College of Davao (CCD), now on its third year of operation offering free tuition to students, has opened the first semester of academic year 2025-2026 with 938 enrollees.
Acting CCD President Dr. Wenefredo Cagape said the latest enrolment includes 357 first-year students, 297 second-year students, and 284 third-year students. This year, the school increased its first-year intake to 357 from the initially proposed 320, after observing that some students do not proceed to higher levels for various reasons.
The college offers four degree programs:
- Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education major in Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology (HVACRT) – 116 students
- Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education major in Computer Programming – 228 students
- Bachelor in Early Childhood Education – 341 students
- Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship – 253 students
Catering to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities remains a priority for CCD, which currently has 368 IP students.
Classes began on July 28, marked by the institution’s first ceremonial flag ceremony for the semester.
One of CCD’s major goals this year is to secure Institutional Recognition (IR) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The IR would make the college fully state-funded, with CHED subsidizing tuition fees, which are currently covered by the Davao City Government.
To qualify, CCD must have a president officially approved by CHED. A search is underway, with qualifications posted on the CCD Facebook page and the City Government’s Human Resource and Management Office. The IR is also a prerequisite for offering additional courses.
“While we still do not have an official president, we cannot apply for the IR, and we also need the IR to open new programs,” Cagape explained.
For facilities, the college aims to complete within the year upgrades to classrooms, electrical connections, the library, and the HVACRT workshop.
“Our operations are now smooth sailing in our third year, as we have already addressed the challenges we faced in the past,” Cagape said, expressing hope that CCD can continue to expand, improve its programs, and hire more teachers.