<P> The forerunner of local colleges and universities or LCUs are the community schools which usually function as elementary or secondary schools at daytime and, toward the end of the day, convert into a community college . This type of educational institution were limited to the old Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) infrastructure, while LCUs are of recent origin . </P> <P> In 1965, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, the first institution of higher learning in the Philippines to be fully subsidized by a local government unit, was established through the Republic Act 4196, which authorizes the City of Manila to operate its own university . For more than two decades, the PLM was the only local university in the country until the creation of other local universities and colleges through the enactment and implementation of the Republic Act 7160, also known as the "Local Government Code of 1991," and the Republic Act 7796, or the Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994 . </P> <P> With an increased share of taxes from 11% to 40% given by the national government units plus their own income as highly urbanized cities or municipalities, a good number of LGUs decided to put up their own LCUs . LGUs are aware that while it is easy even for poor families to send their children to elementary and high school because costs are relatively lower, sending them to college poses a big problem . It is in this light that local government units are inspired to establish and maintain institutions of higher learning (HEIs) in their own localities . </P> <P> Through an LCU, high school graduates from poor families can earn a three - to six - month course certificate, two - year associate degree, or a four - year Baccalaureate degree paying only minimal, if any, tuition fee . This is exemplified by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, and the University of Makati, which have successfully graduated deserving students from low - income families . </P>

List of local universities and colleges in the philippines