Brief History of CICOSAT Colleges
CICOSAT COLLEGES, formerly Central Ilocandia College of Science and Technology (CICOSAT), originated with the establishment of Ilocandia Driving Institute (IDI) in 1985 by its founders, Engr. Jose B. Abella and Mrs. Perla E. Abella. The driving school was located at Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union which was then under the supervision of the Land Transportation Office. On this year, the enterprising owners initially rented a building where classes were conducted. Engr. Abella was the lecturer on engine principles while Mrs. Perla E. Abella took charge of administrative functions as well as taught their students on traffic rules and regulations.
In 1987, Driving Course became popular in San Fernando, La Union and throughout the province of La Union. This paved an increase of enrollment in the driving course; thus, additional six (6) instructors were hired to teach driving course and engine trouble shooting.
Years passed and enrollment increased tremendously. Such phenomenon made Engr. And Mrs. Abella decided to put up their own technical school in 1990. Having a strong determination to help lot of young people to learn and be educated. Engr. Abella and his wife built CENTRAL ILOCANDIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL (CITS) located at Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union. The establishment of this technical / vocational graduates both local and international.
As conceived by the founders, technical / vocational courses were offered after duly complying with TESDA standards. These courses were: 1 ? Year Automotive Technology, 1 ? Year Electronics Technology, 1 ? Year Electrical Technology, 1 ? Year Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, 6 ? Months Dressmaking and 6 ? Months Cosmetology.
The quest for a more intensive education and as a response to the demands of this year, the founders decided to expand its course offerings to ladderized program courses. Permits to operate two year courses were granted by TESDA RO1 in 1993. It was on this year also when the previous name of the school Central Ilocandia Technical School was amended to Central Ilocandia College of Science and Technology. The courses which are given permits to operate were: 2 ? Year Automotive Technology, 2 ? Year Electronics Technology, 2 ? Year Electrical Technology, 2 ? Year General Radio Communication Operator (GRCO) and 2 ? Year Police Science.
In that same year, 1993, the founders of CICOSAT COLLEGES opened another branch, the NORTHERN ILOCANDIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL located at Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
It was in 1994 when several tertiary degree programs were given permits to operate; these included BS Criminology, BS Industrial Education and BS Electronics and Communications Engineering. The construction of a four-storey building was rushed to accommodate the influx of student enrollees. Applicants for teaching positions were screened to ensure quality instructions. Laboratory equipment and facilities were provided for the Criminology students especially the forensic apparatuses. In fact, this school became known to be the only school in Northern Luzon offering BS Criminology with complete criminalistics laboratory. Continuous physical improvements were gradually done by the founders to meet growing and changing needs of the students.
In 1995, the Central Ilocandia Institute of Technology (CIIT) with the driving course was established in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
In 1996, the permit to operate Basic Education or High school level was granted. This was opened at CICOSAT compound, Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union.
It was in 1997 when the ?Abella couple?, opened a Driving School at Urdaneta, Pangasinan.
In 1998, another driving school branch was established at Bangued, Abra named Joe-Pearl Abella (JPA) Driving School.
In 1998, CICOSAT had its first batch of fifty three (53) graduates in BS Criminology. Of this number of graduates, only two took the Licensure Examination for Criminologist who successfully passed. A significant number of examinees successfully passed the Board Examination in the succeeding years.
In 2000, permits to operate degree courses were granted by CHED RO1, namely BS Aeronautical Engineering, BS Avionics Technology, BS Automotive Engineering, BS Industrial Technology and BS Non-Formal Education.
An average of 83 percent CICOSAT Criminology graduates were employed from years 2000-2001, mostly with the Philippine National Police. In addition, two BSECE graduates passed the Licensure Examination for Electronics Communication Engineers. On the other hand, 9 out of 11 Education graduates also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers in the same year. The graduates from the technical / vocational courses showed remarkable performance as they achieved 100% passing during the administration of Trade Tests both the knowledge and skills aspects.
These remarkable achievements exemplified the excellent performance of the CICOSAT students, reflective of the commitment of the Institution to foster and sustain quality instruction/education. This further confirms its ascendancy over the other Institutions.
In 2001, the enterprising founders decided to expand their infrastructures through the construction of the CICOSAT Annex, Lingsat, City of San Fernando located in front of Lingsat Community School. This is an annex building which was initially planned to accommodate the Engineering courses and Post Secondary courses like Electronics Technology, Computer Programming and Front Office Management. However, since late 2006, renovations started to suit the requirements for the construction of CICOSAT HOSPITAL.
In 2002, a new building was constructed for the Ilocandia Driving Institute and CICOSAT Pre-Elementary Department located at Carlatan, San Fernando City. Laboratory facilities and shop work are also within this campus providing the instructional needs of students enrolled in Automotive / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering and other Technical / Vocational courses.
Permits to offer BS Nursing and BS Commerce were granted in 2003. In this same year, Central Ilocandia Institute of Technology (CIIT), a school branch at Candon City, Ilocos Sur moved to a new building as its name was amended to Northern Ilocandia College of Science and Technology (NICOSAT).
CICOSAT COLLEGES accomplished distinctive breakthrough in 2004, primarily the awarding of Accredited Level II Status of its B.S. Criminology Program by Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities ? Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA). Moreover, various degree courses were also granted Government Recognition namely, BS Automotive Engineering, BS Pharmacy, Bachelor in Secondary Education and BS Management.
Year 2005 became a more challenging year for the founders as they pursued the offering of post graduate studies. It was in May 2005, that a permit to operate Master of Science in Criminology was granted.
The amendment of the school?s name from Central Ilocandia College of Science and Technology to CICOSAT Colleges, Inc., was approved by Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2005.
Government Recognition to operate BS Nursing was granted by CHED ROI in 2007. In this year, 57 students graduated as the pioneer batch of graduates in the College of Nursing.
It was in year 2007 when the renovation started for the establishment of CICOSAT HOSPITAL. This was envisioned by the founders to be a medical center catering the medical needs of the community, thus, it is said to be the Best Value Hospital. This was completed in August 2008 having in it all the basic hospital facilities. Thus, on August 8, 2008, the dream hospital of the founders was inaugurated; likewise, its first day of operation was the launching of a medical mission benefitting the community members.
It was also in year 2008, when the new administrative building was completed now accommodating the administration offices, faculty room, laboratories and classrooms. Likewise, it was in this year when the PACU-COA accreditors evaluated the Criminology program on its Level II Reaccreditation level which was a successful endeavor of the institution..
On this same year, permit to operate the BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management course was granted by CHED ROI.
With the successful undertaking of the Level II Re-accredited status of the Criminology program, the administration has applied for Level III accreditation level at PACU-COA. Simultaneous with this activity is the application for accreditation also of the High School or basic education department of this institution to the same accrediting body.
CICOSAT COLLEGES Inc. and its branches continue to expand its physical resources as well as offer timely and in demand academic programs for its primary clients as envisioned by the founders to attain its Vision and Mission as a renowned Educational Institution for Prosperity.
CICOSAT Seal: Its Meaning
CICOSAT is the acronym for Central Ilocandia College of Science and Technology. The founder and owners are Engr. Jose B. Abella and Mrs. Perla E. Abella and family.
The seal has an oblong figure or s
hape which stands for the college in gradual pursuit to perfection. The different disciplines that the college offers are represented by its corresponding symbols. The book and the flame is at the center of the seal as it encompasses finite periphery of education on all the disciplines, the nursing and pharmacy programs are represented by the medical symbol: a rod entwined with two snakes; the criminology program symbol as represented by the beam balance which stands for the rules of law and justice; manpower skills manifest the technology department as it stands for a continued quest for technical excellence; and the engineering program is represented by drafting instruments as it stands for skills competency in drawing and measurements.
The red, white and blue colors of the seal symbolize the CICOSAT banner inspired with values of nationalism. The red color stands for bravery and dauntless peace anchored on academic freedom and responsible information dissemination; the white symbolizes a quintessence of purity and immaculate purpose in the transfer of knowledge and technical know-how to the youth on the different fields of specialization, and an uncompromising resolve to achieve the avowed goals of the College.