Historical Evolution

The Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao (CCT), formerly known as the Cagayan Teachers College (CTC), was founded in April 1948, from the rubbles and devastating aftermath of the World War II. The country was still in economic chaos; most schools have been destroyed or burned and were being rebuilt and rehabilitated. There was a dearth of teachers all over the country and people were just getting over their travails and horrifying experiences during the war.

Tuguegarao was not spared by the war. The Japanese forces were everywhere. In fact, the Japanese Army had a large contingent quartered in the Old Selecta, a ladies dormitory owned and operated by the late Mrs. Caridad S. Ventura- Perez, located at the site now occupied by the Dr. Matias Ponce Perez Sr. Building, commonly known as the CCT Main Building. As a result of the bombings of American forces to destroy enemy installation, the Old Selecta as well as the whole "Centro" of Tuguegarao was reduced to ashes and all but few buildings were left standing after the war.

It was during the long war years while on evacuation that Dr. Matias Ponce Perez, Sr. concretized his life-long dream and promise to the Cagayan electorate in the early 30's of founding a school which can afford higher education. At that time, there were no institutions of higher learning in Tuguegarao nor in nearby areas, and one had to go to Manila to obtain a college education.

Dr. Perez had great foresight. He had foreseen that after the war, there would be a great need for more schools for better trained and more qualified teachers. During that period, even teachers in the public schools needed to grow professionally as many of them were just high school or secondary normal college graduates. Thus, in April 1948, with the help of friends, relatives and some public school officials, and with the inspiration and guidance of his wife, Mrs. Caridad S. Ventura-Perez, the Cagayan Teachers College was born.

The Cagayan Teachers College started modestly. Its course offerings during its first year of academic operation (1948-49) were limited to Elementary Teacher's Certificate and Bachelor of Science in Education. Soon after, other courses were offered. Because it was felt that the old name of the Institution was already a misnomer considering the fact that the Institution has begun to offer other courses other than teaching, the Board of Trustees in 1983 amended Article II of the original Articles of Incorporation to change the Institution's name to Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao.

Hand in hand with the Institution's academic expansion, its physical facilities and structures are also being improved and expanded. To accommodate the growing number of enrollees, the Institution maintains two campuses, the College Avenue Campus where the Dr. Matias P. Perez Building is located, and the Balzain Campus with an area of some eight hectares where the other buildings of the Institution are located

The Dr. Matias P. Perez Building complete with science laboratories and a simulated hospital quarters the College of Health while the various buildings at the Balzain Campus house the Colleges of Law, Engineering and Technology, Criminology, Business Education, Hospitality Industry Management, Maritime Education, Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School, the Laboratory Schools, the Linda's Swimming Pool, the Mock Ship Mario and the Greyhounds Gymnasium.

At present, the College of Maritime Education which offers Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation is ISO 900 certified by DNV (Det Norske Veritas). Norway. On the other hand, the Institution's Liberal Arts, Education, Business Administration, Criminology, Master of Arts, Master of Public Administration and Master in Business Administration are PACUCOA (Philippine Association of Colleges and Univerisities Commission on Accreditation) accredited.

At present, the Institution offers six graduate programs, one post-baccalaureate program, nineteen degree programs, eight non-degree programs, and complete secondary and elementary levels to more or less 7,000 student populace.