nanci gate

History of NANCI

NANCI is an acronym for Negros Academy and Negros College Inc., two private non-sectarian educational institutions that occupy the same campus and wholly upholding its quest to make people’s lives better thru quality education. The two schools were formed out of the desire of its founder, Mr. Serapion “Apyon” N. Dayagdag, to provide affordable education to the young individuals of Ayungon, Negros Oriental, and its neighboring municipalities.

Negros Academy

For decades until the mid-1960’s there were no secondary schools in Ayungon. The closest were located in the capital city of Dumaguete City, around 80 kilometers south of Ayungon.

Recognizing the need for a secondary school in Ayungon, then papa Apyon and a few associates established Negros Educational Institution, Inc. which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 1970. Adopting the trade name Negros Academy (NA), it is a non-stock, non-profit educational institution built on a sprawling 5,890m2 plot of land donated by papa Apyon himself. The school still sits on this original grant to this day.

On July 1, 1970 the government issued a temporary permit to Negros Academy to operate as a secondary school. NA formally opened its doors in school year 1970-1971, admitting 1st year to 3rd year students. Negros Academy produced its first batch of high school graduates after just one year of operations in school year 1971-1972.

In 1980, Negros Academy was finally granted full government recognition as a secondary school and today with its enduring vision of providing quality education, postulates educational plans and programs that are intended to develop our youth’s full potential.

Negros College

The founding of Negros College (NC) was not by mere chance. It was established in response to the need for a tertiary level school where children from low to middle income families in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, and nearby towns can acquire affordable quality college education.

On October 11, 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a certificate of incorporation to Negros College, Inc. – or more commonly known as Negros College – as a non-stock, non-profit tertiary school erected on same location with Negros Academy.

In May 2000, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued a permit to Negros College to offer 5 associate and degree programs:

In school year 2000–2001, Negros College welcomed enrollees for undergraduate courses.  During its first year of operations, the total undergraduate enrollment was 80; for school year 2019-2020, total enrollment was 1,822. During that time, Negros College has enrolled over twenty thousand students, with around ten percent of these have graduated from NC’s various programs. Approximately 67% of the College’s BEEd graduates have passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Negros College conveys with pride that alumni of the College have become successful professionals working locally and abroad, with a number of graduates having become excellent entrepreneurs. as well.

In 2016, Negros College was permitted by the Department of Education to offer a Senior High School (SHS) curriculum.  Up until school year 2019-2020, NC SHS enrolled a total of 1,611 students and graduated 657 Grade 12 students. SHS graduates have a great chance to be admitted into the Negros College undergraduate programs.

NANCI’s Ongoing Expansion and Improvements

The early 2000’s saw NANCI floundering with issues in management and leadership. But in 2011, Jonathan B. Dayagdag, the youngest child of papa Apyon’s six children, returned to Ayungon and spearheaded a dynamic revival of NANCI’s facilities and academic plans. Since then, the campus has seen a renaissance and a return to relevance accompanied by continuous expansion and improvements. Under new management headed by President Maria Nenita Tubio Dayagdag, a streamlining of the business processes and operations of Negros Academy and Negros College have become a priority. Quality of education – the original mission – was upheld and classrooms, buildings, facilities underwent a tremendous face lift. These changes led to unprecedented growth in students’ headcount as well as regaining its reputation as a school of quality education.

Sustaining the Gains

At present Negros Academy and Negros College endeavors to be fully compliant with the rules and regulations of the Securities & Exchange Commission, Social Security System, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Home Development Mutual Fund (more popularly known as Pag-IBIG Fund), the Department of Labor & Employment, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Negros College currently offers 3 undergraduate degrees, 7 Senior High School strands, and 3 TESDA-approved certificate programs.

Campus facilities and services have improved dramatically:

  • A school canteen which is currently retrofitted has been provided offering healthy meals to everyone
  • A medical and a dental clinic using modern equipment has been operational
  • A teachers’ lounge created with employee lockers each has been installed
  • An expansion to 40 classrooms, each with a 32” smart TV
  • Some classrooms have accordion walls that can be moved to create one big hall that can accommodate a group of 300 people
  • Two libraries with computer stations and Starbooks have been set up
  • A science laboratory helps greatly in the students’ research
  • 80 functional desktop computers in two computer labs
  • New offices for the Presidents of NA and NC, Principals of SHS and JHS (NA), Dean of Office Administration, Dean of the College of Education and faculty members give ease in teaching, conferences and administrative work
  • Likewise, separate offices for the Registrar, Legal Counsel, Cashier, Accounting, and Human Resources, National Service Training Program, and CARE Center have been established

Other facilities include:

  • A State-of-the-art TESDA Accredited Assessment Center
  • TESDA-approved SMAW facility
  • TESDA-approved Computer System Servicing training center
  • TESDA-approved all-stainless kitchen used by the Education and SHS technical-vocational students, NA students, and the TESDA Assessment Center
  • An uncovered basketball court
  • Added covered walkways
  • Water fountain which provides cold drinking water for the campus
  • A copy center with printers and photocopiers for students and staff
  • A LOT of Fancy toilets for students and school administrators
  • Newly launched official website
  • Areas around campus with canopies that are designated as student lounges

The Future

NANCI is among the schools of the future. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has swept the country in 2019 and up to present times left the School with no option but to adapt to the social environment of the times and Internet technology, has made it possible for students to learn, interact, socialize, grow and develop. Home schooling for NANCIans shall continue for as long as it is deemed by the government, however, shall welcome students in the school environment when the times permit, NANCI administration is always organized and equipped. The School is always ready and all set to welcome anyone who wants to learn, develop and grow, whatever their background or socio-economic status. To all the sons and daughters of Ayungon and neighboring communities, if you want to live out your dream, intellectual curiosity, if you want to discover, and explore, if you want to look beyond the scope of your vision, come to NANCI and let us fulfill your dream together.

The Board of Trustees of Negros College will carry on to keep the founder’s – Papa Apyon’s – legacy alive. They will continue to emphasize NANCI’s goals of academic quality, of nurturing and cultivating intellectual and cultural diversity, of providing access and affordability of education, of making contributions through our teaching, research, and outreach, and becoming an important player in contributing to the economic security of our communities and our country as a whole.

To this end, NANCI shall do more to bring the School to the 22nd century.

  • Installation of Fiber Optic Internet Connection
  • Long Term Lease of Land for classrooms and offices expansion
  • New Program Offerings
  • Competitive Salaries of NANCI Teachers

Take a tour of NANCI campus and be amazed at its growth and find out what you can contribute to sustain it.