Bacolod City chosen as site of PSHS-Negros Island Region Campus

Originally published by DOST on 13 August 2026. Read the original DOST report. This reports a proposed campus; the planned 2027–2028 intake remains subject to completion of requirements.

The DOST-Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System has selected Bacolod City as the site of the PSHS–Negros Island Region Campus (NIRC) after a comprehensive, year-long site selection and evaluation process that assessed multiple locations across the newly created region.

In a letter dated August 4, 2026 and a subsequent coordination meeting between PSHSS and City Government of Bacolod officials and representatives on August 5, 2026, DOST-PSHS System Executive Director Ronnalee N. Orteza formally informed Bacolod City Mayor Greg G. Gasataya that the proposed property in Barangay Granada in Bacolod City had been selected as the site of the PSHS–NIRC.

The establishment of PSHS–NIRC follows the creation of the Negros Island Region in 2024 and advances the DOST-PSHS System mandate under Republic Act No. 9036 to provide every region equal opportunity to benefit from the System and expand access to quality STEM education nationwide.

Once established, the PSHS–NIRC will become the first PSHSS campus for the region, broadening access to premier STEM education for academically gifted students from Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and nearby areas.

The search for the campus site formally began in September 2025 and continued through July 2026, during which PSHSS conducted a series of site inspections and technical evaluations of proposed locations across the region.

To oversee the process, the PSHSS Board of Trustees (BOT) created the Site Selection and Evaluation Committee, chaired by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Maridon O. Sahagun. The committee was tasked with evaluating proposed sites for the PSHS–NIRC and recommending the most suitable location to the PSHSS BOT based on the results of the evaluation.

The evaluation was guided by the criteria prescribed under the PSHSS Site Selection and Evaluation Guidelines, which include lot size, topography, accessibility, hazard exposure, mode of land acquisition, proximity to higher education and research institutions, availability of utilities, community services, development potential, natural resources, residential facilities, local government support, and the overall learning environment.

Throughout the process, the committee visited prospective sites, consulted with local government units and prospective donors, validated land ownership and donation commitments, and assessed each proposal against these established criteria. The committee also validated technical information from platforms, like HazardHunterPH, to assess potential geologic and hydrometeorological hazards affecting each proposed site.

Findings from the field inspections and technical assessments were consolidated into an Initial Comparative Assessment Report, which served as the primary reference for the committee's comparative evaluation and final deliberations.

Following the site selection process, the 9.23-hectare Bacolod City site emerged as the preferred site for the proposed campus.

The committee found that the property offered a strategic location, favorable land configuration, sufficient area for campus development, accessibility, and strong long-term development potential.

Equally significant was the City Government's commitment to supporting the establishment of the campus, including the donation of the property, construction of a dedicated access road, provision of interim campus facilities, and assistance in facilitating project implementation, among others.

Once established, the PSHS-NIRC will become the largest campus in the PSHS System in terms of land area.

With this development, the DOST-PSHS System is preparing for the admission of the pioneer batch for Academic Year 2027–2028, subject to the completion of the necessary requirements.

According to Executive Director Orteza, the PSHS–NIRC is also envisioned to serve as the model campus for future PSHSS campuses to be established pursuant to Republic Act No. 12310 or the Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act, which mandates the progressive expansion of PSHSS to at least two campuses in every region, subject to the availability of funds and the System's standards for campus establishment.

The Philippine Science High School is one of the attached agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph