History (1952-1971)

This period covers the time where the business school became a college whose main thrust is in commerce.

1952
Through Republic Act (RA) 778 passed by both houses of Congress on May 20, 1952 and signed by then Philippine President Elpidio Quirino on June 21, 1952, the PSC was converted into the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC), with Luis F. Reyes as its first president. The PCC broadened its program offerings with the inclusion of undergraduate courses in commerce and related fields.

1954
This Institution celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

The 50th Founding Anniversary was celebrated on the Lepanto Grounds (October 1954)

1955

For its "dynamic leadership in vocational business education", the PCC was conferred by the Business Writers Association of the Philippines the title of "Business College of the Year."

The Annex Building (also in S.H. Loyola St.), which had housed the Congress of the Philippines, was officially turned over to PCC.

1956
When Reyes retired, Prof. Pacifico A. Velilla took over the PCC presidency.

Pacifico A. Velilla

1960
Atty. Victor dela Torre was designated Acting College President.

Victor dela Torre

1962
Immediately after assuming the presidency, Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente established an Advisory Committee for the President, a CPA review class, a scholarship committee, and a codified set of rules and regulations for the College.

Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente

1963
The College Code was printed, the Public Relations Program established, and the first issue of the PCC Faculty Journal published.   Other initiatives taken during that school year include:

• Inclusion of more liberal arts courses in the curriculum;
• Establishment of the Book Bank and the Student Loan Fund;
• Elevation of high school teachers to the rank of Assistant Instructor; and
• Establishment of the Junior Executive Training Program.

1965
Through Pres. Diosdado Macapagal's proclamation, the Pandacan site of the Bureau of Animal Industry was reserved for PCC's use. The student assistantship program was instituted and a system of financial aid was introduced. Instructors with masteral and doctoral degrees were, as a matter of policy, automatically promoted to Assistant Professor 1 and Assistant Professor 2, respectively.

1967
Important developments during that school year include:

• The reservation, through Pres. Ferdinand Marcos' declaration, of a 10-hectare lot in Bicutan, Taguig for PCC use;

• The adoption of a policy of student involvement in PCC's official functions;

• Revision of courses of study; and

• Enrichment of the traditional vocational course with more liberal arts and cultural courses aimed at the PCC students' holistic education as well as the reinforcement of classroom learning with varied co-curricular activities.

1968
The development of the preceding school year led to the rise of social consciousness among the PCC constituents and to the revision of the college charter by the passage of RA No. 6980 authorizing the offering of courses in the social sciences related to business education. Besides, the Sta. Mesa (A. Mabini) Campus was assigned for the use and disposition of the PCC. Also, the titles of the lots on S.H. Loyola St. were awarded to PCC through congressional legislation.

1969
Initiatives included the following:

• Appointment of the president of the Supreme Student Council as member of the Board of Trustees (now Board of Regents);
• Offering of the following in lieu of the two-year basic commercial course:  Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Business Administration; and
• Securing the exemption of PCC personnel from civil service rules and regulation as well as from the application of the Wage and Position Classification Office (WAPCO) criteria.
• Short-term courses in Electronic Data Processing (EDP) were offered under the Faculty of Accountancy.

1971
Among the important developments were:

• Revision of the College Code;
• Transfer of the Laboratory High School from S.H. Loyola Campus to A. Mabini Campus; and
• Creation of the Katipunan Foundation, Inc.