Loyola College of Culion is a private, Catholic secondary and higher education institution run by the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order in Barangay Libis, Culion, Palawan province, Philippines. The school was opened for the purpose of having a school for the children of leper patients. So since its establishment in 1936, the School was accepting only children of leper patients. Then in the mid-1950s, with the enactment of the Liberalization Law for Lepers, the doors of the school were opened to all. With this development, the School sought to identify what it is now for and what it hopes to achieve. In October 2015, the administrators, faculty and staff of the School convened to re-think and eventually formulate its new vision and mission. Beginning School Year 2016-2017, the Loyola College of Culion had a new vision and mission.
History
Beginnings
In 1936 the Sisters of St. Paul of Charters were running Hijas de Maria Dormitory for female lepers. Mother Superior Donatienne persuaded Jesuit Fr. Hugh J. McNulty to open en elementary school for the girls, originally in portions of their dormitory. In June 1939 the Philippine government recognized this first private educational institution in Culion, Palawan: Culion Catholic Primary School. With the outbreak of World War II, the school was forced to close in 1938. It reopened in 1948 as a co-educational grade school, called Culion Catholic School, remaining exclusively for those with leprosy. Then in the mid-1950s, with the enactment of the Liberalization Law for Lepers, the doors of the school were opened to all. In 1952 Fr. Walter Hamilton, S.J., responding to an expressed need for secondary education, opened St. Ignatius High School for graduates of the Culion Catholic School. After 3 years, Jesuit Fr. Pedro Dimaano merged the two schools into St. Ignatius Academy. The desire of the Jesuits for the educational development and spiritual uplifting of the people in the area around Culion gave rise to the only private college in the area. In 1985, under Director Fr. John Chambers, S.J., the school initiated a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and it became St. Ignatius College. which in 1988 was changed to Loyola College of Culion.
Current situation
Although leprosy in Culion has been eradicated, the stigma remains. The small municipality is poor and mostly dependent on fishing and farming. Loyola College of Culion continues to help finance education for Culion and its surrounding islands and municipalities. In 2008-2009 the college numbered 554 students. The school's survival depends on subsidies from various agencies, including the Society of Jesus and various agencies offering scholarships. Until May 2009ANESVAD supplied 60% of the funding but that was discontinued and funds are being sought from other sources. The local government has been developing the area for tourism based on its beaches and diving prospects. It also is interested, through education, in protecting the people from abuse of their dignity, and in preserving their heritage as a people.
