ABOUT

Brief History and Statement of Institutional Purpose

On July 1, 1971, the Secretary of Education authorized the first-year operation of the proposed Caloocan City Community College. Following this, Municipal Ordinance No. 1495 appropriated P23,400 to support the national development goal of maximizing participation in attaining and benefiting from economic progress while providing quality educational opportunities to its indigent but deserving constituents. To address the increasing demand for education, the College was authorized in June 1972 to open a second year of the general education course and a one-year secretarial course, with a city budget of P35,100. Then, on June 7, 1973, the Secretary of Education approved the third-year operation of the following College programs: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education and Bachelor of Science in Business Technology. To support this expansion, Municipal Ordinance Nos. 2020 and 2140 allocated P36,760.

The urgent and fast-growing demands of education led to the passage of Ordinance No. 2295 on March 25, 1975, which declared the institution as Caloocan City Polytechnic College. As the population grew, in June 1996, the Buena Park and Camarin Annexes became operational. By 2000, with the construction of new buildings, the College had 3,600 enrollees. Building on this success, Municipal Ordinance No. 0379 paved the way for Caloocan City Polytechnic College to achieve University status. On February 9, 2004, it was officially proclaimed as the University of Caloocan City (UCC).

Under the supervision and direction of Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan, UCC has focused on making education accessible to the youth. His statement, “Sa Caloocan, walang batang maiiwan sa larangan ng edukasyon,” reflects the programs and projects he initiated towards providing quality and globally competitive education for Caloocan residents since his election as the city's chief executive in 2013.

In 2022, under a new administration, UCC continues to progress as it explores other opportunities for the “Batang Kankaloo.” Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, the same person responsible for the “Free-Tuition” enjoyed by every UCCian, made it a priority to expand and build new campuses and offer more diverse programs.

Construction of North and South Campuses

Mayor Oca transformed UCC-South Campus into a newly constructed facility, now known as the Biglang Awa Campus. To meet the educational needs of the northern part of the city, he also initiated the construction of the Camarin Campus. In addition to his Mega-Infrastructure Projects, Mayor Oca established the North-Congressional Extension Campus, creating a positive impact on the New UCC.

Upgraded School Facilities

To support innovation and provide state-of-the-art facilities for students and personnel, the city government constructed an additional 4-storey building for the UCC Camarin Extension Campus, adding new classrooms and laboratories to accommodate more students. Continuing the support of the local government, Mayor Along Malapitan's term has further fortified the foundation of the New UCC. Along with new buildings came additional and upgraded computer, kitchen, and science laboratories; libraries; an audio-visual facility; a sound engineering and radio broadcasting studio; a speech laboratory; and multi-purpose halls. The main and extension campuses also underwent significant refurbishments, renovations, and upgrades. Newly-improved covered courts and stages, improvement of the drainage system, and installation of air-conditioning units were among the upgrades made each year.

100% Free Tuition

Following City Ordinance No. 0053, series of 2014, qualified and deserving Caloocan residents enjoy free education, while selected scholars continue to receive financial assistance every semester.

Increase in the Number of Students

Starting with only forty-two (42) students in 1971, UCC had over 13,000 students by 2022. With the trust and confidence of the community, UCC continues to provide quality, affordable, and competitive education.

Increase in the Number of Permanent Employees

Under the good governance of Mayor Along Malapitan, UCC has seen an increase in the number of permanent employees. Since 2022, UCC has hired more proficient and highly qualified teaching and non-teaching personnel to meet the demands of the growing student population. A significant 34% increase in permanent positions has been awarded to the University, leading to improved service quality for stakeholders.

Graduation at the Mall of Asia Arena

Recognizing the accomplishments and triumphs of students, as well as parents, guardians, and benefactors, UCC has held its annual graduation rites at the Mall of Asia Arena since 2017 with the rental fees for this prestigious venue sponsored by the Office of the City Mayor Along Malapitan.

Licensure/Board/Bar Examinations Performance

UCC's success is reflected in its alumni's exceptional performance in various licensure, board, and bar examinations. In the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), both Secondary and Elementary levels consistently surpass the national average. The university has produced topnotchers such as Marlon T. Torio (Top 7, 2019), Steve Matthew Garcenila (Top 10, 2019), Jolina F. Gutierrez (Top 9, 2021), and Vince William A. Cabotaje (Top 2, 2022). The Institutional Passing Percentage reached 89.76% for Secondary and 100% for Elementary in 2023, with a record high of 94% for Secondary and 100% for Elementary in 2024.

In the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE), UCC consistently achieves passing rates above the national average. Notable topnotchers include Patrick Jefferson (Top 9, 2018) and Ronald Macasero (Top 5, 2019), while others claimed spots in the top 20 the following years. The passing rate for 2023 stood at 51.28%. Similarly, UCC's performance in the Psychometrician Licensure Examination (PLE) showed a steady improvement, with passing rates of 65.06% in 2019, 60% in 2022, and 75% in 2023. In the Criminology Licensure Examination, UCC achieved a passing rate of 61.62% in 2022, 83.33% in 2023, and 81.58% in 2014. To further enhance their global competitiveness, UCC students also pursue professional affiliations and certifications such as NC II and NC III.

The succeeding years have proven the positive development of UCC with the academic support from and successful leadership of Mayor Along Malapitan. UCC’s College of Law has consistently achieved significant milestones, with remarkable BAR examination passing rates of 83.33% in 2022, 61% in 2023, and an impressive 87.50% in the first half of 2024. The Caloocan LGU remained supportive in these academic endeavors through the distribution of financial incentives among passers. UCC is beyond proud to produce exceptional and outstanding lawyers, spirited to serve the nation and their fellow Batang Kankaloo.

New Opportunities

UCC celebrated another academic breakthrough with the launch of its engineering program offerings at the UCC College of Engineering Campus. This three-story building, located in Barangay 176, Bagong Silang, welcomed 200 aspiring engineers for the academic year 2024-2025. The engineering campus currently offers the following programs: BS Electrical Engineering, BS Electronics Engineering, BS Computer Engineering, and BS Industrial Engineering.

Another two-hectare, state-of-the-art campus in Barangay 180 will soon offer health and medical programs, including BS Nursing, BS Medical Technology, BS Pharmacy, and BS Midwifery. UCC also plans to offer BS Social Work and BS Industrial Security Management in the coming years, adhering to the city’s vision of meeting the demands of the industry.

Firmly believing in his mantra, “Aksyon at Malasakit,” Mayor Along continues to lead with educational milestones and trustworthy governance. Together, Caloocan City shall be known further for service excellence both in the city and the entire nation, staying true to its aspiration: “Basta sa Caloocan, walang batang maiiwan.”