For three decades and more, the CITE (Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise) Technical Institute, Inc. has been a beacon of hope for underprivileged Filipino youth, offering not just technical skills but also values formation and character development. Founded in 1987 through the inspiration of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, first prelate of Opus Dei, CITE began as a bold initiative to fight poverty through education and has since grown into a TESDA-accredited institution recognized for its pioneering Dual Training System and strong industry linkages.
The history of CITE is a story of vision, faith, and collaboration. From its modest beginnings and early batches of scholars to international partnerships, program innovations, and national awards, CITE has consistently upheld its mission of transforming lives through quality technical education.
This timeline retraces the milestones that have shaped CITE—pastoral inspirations, groundbreaking programs, and the steadfast support of benefactors and partners. More than a chronicle of events, it is a testament to the resilience, hard work, and generosity of the CITE community in building futures with dignity and hope.
February 1987 – Pastoral visit of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo in Cebu and Manila which inspired the many undertakings for the poor
September 1987 – Bilateral agreement inked between the Philippines through the National Economic and Development Authority and Italy to set up CITE.
December 1987 – Fact-finding mission of Italian delegation (Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria)
March 1988 – Project assigned to Associazione Centro ELIS (Italy) as implementing NGO
July 1988 – Meetings held in Cebu and Manila among University of Asia and the Pacific (formerly Southeast Asian Science Foundation, Inc.), Centro ELIS, and MFI Foundation Inc., (formerly Meralco Foundation, Inc.)
September 1988 – CITE personnel sent to Italy for a series of technical training
February 1990 – Groundbreaking ceremony; building construction starts in Barangay San Jose
March 1990 – Memorandum of agreement signed with MFI Foundation Inc. to provide technical assistance package to CITE
July 1990 – Development Board established in Manila
September 1990 – Manpower 2000 Congress conducted in Cebu to introduce CITE
October 1990 – The Department of Education (then DECS) approved the offering of the Industrial Technician Program (ITP). ITP courses include Mechanical Technology, Electronics Technology, and Electrical Technology
January 1991 – First entrance examination conducted to applicants of CITE
February 1991 – Arrival of mechanical and electrical equipment for CITE Contract signed between Primary Structures
April 1991 – First Summer Technician Orientation Program (STOP) conducted for 3 weeks for 126 ITP applicants
May 1991 – First short course in Computer-aided Design offered to industries
June 1991 – Start of the first school year of operation with 96 students; First Scholars’ Day held
July 1991 – CITE chosen to be training center for Sasabe Engineering Company (Japan) and Don Victoriano Technological Development Foundation Scholarship Program for a 10-month course
February 1992 – Former President Corazon Aquino inaugurated CITE
May 1992 – Ceremonial blessing officiated by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal
June 1994 – First commencement exercises held for 83 graduates of Industrial Technician Program
1994 – Received Quality and Productivity Excellence Award for PQPM-Cebu in the NGO category
June 1995 – Consuelo Foundation Inc. funded the opening of Didactic and Prototyping Center with Ayala Corporation CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala inaugurating
June 1996 – Selected by the Association for Non-Traditional Education in the Philippines (ANTEP) as a lead institution that will be developed as a Center of Excellence in the Job Readiness and Entrepreneur Development (JRED) Program
August 1996 – The Department of Science and Technology – Region 7 chose CITE as Outstanding Technical Institution
February 1997 – Chosen by the Cebu City Government as Outstanding Institution during the Charter Day Celebration.
June 1997 – Pilot run of Dual Training System (DTS) as delivery mode for Mechanical Technology students
June 1998 – Full implementation of DTS in all technologies
July 1998 – Pastoral visit of Bishop Javier Echevarria, prelate of Opus Dei
August 1998 – Selected by the Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) as Kabalikat National Awardee for its Dual Training System Implementation
October 1998 – Former President Fidel V. Ramos visits CITE
January 1999 – Received grant from Lucent Technologies and Consuelo Foundation, Inc. for the design and development of web-ready training modules
February 1999 – Telecommunications Technology Program offered in CITE in partnership with Globe Telecom (formerly ISLACOM Philippines)
October 2000 – First DTS Recognition Day held to recognize the industry partners
June 2000 – Creation of Information Technology course through grants from Fundacio Codespa of Spain to address the IT sector
July 2000 – Recognized as a Cisco Local Networking Academy and later on as Regional Academy
2000 – Recognized as one of the Centers of Excellence (COE) by the ASEAN HRD Working Group
September 2000 – Inauguration and launching of E-skills Training Project
October 2000 – Training Center for Out-of-School youth and Displaced Workers (now ATC Training Center) opened under the grant from the Association for Cultural, Technical and Educational Cooperation (ACTEC) in cooperation with TESDA-7 which houses the facility
June 2001 – Creation of multi-skilled technician course called Electromechanics Technology
July 2001 – Became an implementing partner for Network Administration Course Program under the Cisco Networking Academy Program for OSYs in coordination with the Philippine Out-of-School Children and Youth Development Project
October 2001 – First commencement exercises held for 35 graduates of 6-month Industry Assembler and CADD Operator Course of ATC Training Center
October 2002 – Founder of Opus Dei Josemaria Escriva proclaimed as saint. His teachings have been the strongest driving force of the school
March 2003 – Picked as one of the five finalists for the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Triennial Award for Outstanding Institution
May 2003 – First curriculum review held by industry experts and CITE faculty to improve ITP delivery
June 2003 – Electrical Standards and Testing (Calibration) Laboratory was inaugurated by Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro
October 2003 – CITE was awarded Best DTS Practice of Dual Training System by the TESDA-7
October 2003 – CITE launched its official website, www.cite.edu.ph, designed by Glenn Lomon
June 2004 – CITE offered Instrumentation and Process Control System Analyst (Biomed Technology
August 2004 – Alumnus Glenn delos Reyes named as national awardee for Ramon Magsaysay Outstanding Filipino Worker for Wage-Employed category. Delos Reyes was then the process engineer at Fairchild Semiconductor
January 2004 – Implemented the Information and Literacy in Rural Areas (ILIRA) Project in the Visayas and Mindanao using solar-powered facilities in cooperation with Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED)
July 2004 – CITE began its quality journey towards achieving ISO certification
November 2004 – Two-year Computer Technology Technician Program was offered with 24 students
July 2006 – Certified to ISO 9001:2000 for Quality Management System by Technischer Uberwachungsverein (TUV-SUD)
February 2007 – Chosen by the Cebu City Government as Outstanding Institution during the Charter Day Celebration
April 2007 – CITE was named child-friendly company by the International Labour Organization
November 2007 – CITE’s documentary “Road to Hope” launched
2008 – Alumni Center was opened in MEZ 2 to provide alumni with access to CITE programs
August 2008 – Received the National Kabalikat Award from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
May 2009 – Chosen by TESDA-7 as one of the implementing institutions to provide training tor unemployed and displaced workers through the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship (PGS) program
August 2009 – Certificate of Registration for Consumer Electronics Servicing and Instrumentation and Control Servicing (NCII level) awarded by TESDA-7
October 2009 – CITE was named regional awardee in the Productivity Olympics, a national competition of best productivity practices by the Department of Labor and Employment
November 2009 – Unveiling of benefactors wall that displays names of perpetual grantors
November 2010 – CITE passed ISO 9001:2008 certification by TUV-SUD
June 2011 – His Excellency Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma visited CITE
June 2012 – MOA signed between the University of San Jose Recoletos to implement the Continuing Education Program – Progressive Learning Through the Regular Schooling Program (CEP-PLRS), a program which enables alumni to finish bachelor courses
June 2012 – Feeding program in partnership with Century Pacific Group-Ricardo S. Po Foundation launched to help students of CITE and public schools
September 2012 – New CITE Training Center was inaugurated as part of the Center for Unified Training on Industry and Employment (CUTIE)
February 2013 – CITE passed the ISO 9001:2008 certification audit by AJA Registrars, Inc.
June 2013 – Full implementation of system approach delivery called Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) in the Industrial Technician Program
March 2014 – Executive Director Ruben Laraya was invited to speak in the international study conference at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Italy) on the impact of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo at CITE
September 2014 – First Prelate of Opus Dei and CITE founder Bishop Alvaro del Portillo beatified in Madrid
January 2015 – CITE ranked 86th by Cybermetrics Lab (Spain) in terms of online web presence among Philippine schools, ranked 673rd in Southeast Asia.
May 2015 – CITE re-certified against the standards of ISO 9001:2008 by AJA Registrars, Inc.
June 2015 – Groundbreaking ceremony held for the Alvaro del Portillo Hall
March 2016 – Certificate of Achievement from Character Education Partnership (CEP) conferred to CITE for its noteworthy effort in promoting core values through its various promising practices, championing Principle 1 of CEP Philippines in an exemplary way.
June 2016 – CITE was chosen as one of the pilot schools for TESDA’s Diploma in Engineering Technology program for graduates of SHS for the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Diploma in Computer Engineering Technology, Diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology, and Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology.
March 2016 – CITE hosted 1400 participants for the International Conference with renowned author and teacher Dr. Hal Urban at Waterfront Hotel. The conference is entitled “Life’s Greatest Lessons: Better Character for a Better Quality of Life”.
June 2017 – Mr. Jose Soberano III, chairman and chief executive officer of Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) and CITE Chairman was named by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) as Entrepreneur of the Year. Three months after, Mr. Soberano was conferred with “Industry Entrepreneur of the Year” award by Ernst and Young.
October 2017 – CITE received its Certificate of Program Registration from TESDA to offer diploma programs
December 2017 – CITE students were among 200 scholars who were granted scholarships by SM Foundation.
April 2018 – CITE held its graduation rites for the first batch of graduates of the senior high school program for the following courses: Industrial Arts Machining NC II, Mechatronics NC II, EPAS NC II and Information and Communication Technology CSS NC II
June 2018 – Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry named Mr. Mario King, president and chief executive officer of Nito’s International Ventures, Inc. and vice-president of CITE as Entrepreneur of the Year.
July 2018 – CITE recognized by TESDA Board as pilot implementor of four Diploma Programs
July 2018 – Memorandum of Understanding signed between CITE and the University of Cebu for credit transfer program for its diploma programs
August 2018 – Memorandum of Understanding signed between CITE and the University of San Carlos for credit transfer program for its diploma programs
September 2018 – Faculty and administrators from Ora et Labora Foundation of Indonesia trained in CITE to set up Indonesia’s first private vocational school specializing in Electrical Engineering Program (SMK Program Teknik Ketenagalistrikan)
December 2018 – First Work Camp is held in St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Bogo City with 16 student volunteers conducting repainting and refurbishment of the church.
April 2019 – CITE’s adaptation of Paul Dumol’s “Ang Paglilitis Kay Mang Serapio” was staged in Talamban Times Square
April 2019 – Second batch of scholars of Apex Mining Company, Inc. (AMCI), a gold mining company operating in Maco, was accepted into the diploma program.
May 2019 – Foreign technical internship was forged between CITE and AKTIO Corporation, a leading construction equipment rental business in Japan, to provide training and employment opportunities to 20 highly skilled graduates of CITE in its headquarters in Tokyo.
June 2019 – Industry Linkage Manager Bonifacio Mercado Jr. spoke before delegates from ASEAN during the 9th Regional Policy Dialogue on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on how to improve TVET’s quality, image and outcomes.
February 2020 – TESDA granted 2 STAR (System for TVET Accreditation and Recognition) level rating in Mechatronics, EPAS, and Computer Systems Servicing and 1 STAR level rating in Machining during the onsite validation against CITE’s quality team’s self-assessment of its registered programs. The STAR Program is a system of recognizing TVI programs that have exceeded the minimum requirements of program registration set by TESDA.
July 2020 – CITE held its virtual ceremony for the 3rd and last batch of graduates of senior high school program
August 2020 – TESDA granted scholarship slots to students of CITE through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) The scholarship program increases the chances of scholars to find a job after the training as CITE diploma offerings are considered a key employment generator.
December 2020 – TESDA accredited CITE Assessment Center to host assessments leading to national certification for various qualifications under the diploma program
January 2021 – TESDA VII awarded Certificate of Accreditation for following qualifications: Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing NC II, Mechatronics Servicing NCII, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NCII, Machining NCII, Technical Drafting NCII, Computer Systems Servicing NCII, and Machining NCII.
April 2021 – CITE forges partnerships with the Engineering Department of the Cebu Institute of Technology -University and the University of San Jose Recoletos on credit transfer program for its diploma program
May 2021 – CITE held the virtual graduation for the first batch of diploma program graduates, marking the 37th commencement exercises ceremony for CITE
June 2021 – Public hearing held to name the Kauswagan road after the first prelate of Opus Dei, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo
July 2021 – Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) granted a 3-year certification to CITE as donee institution for having met its organizational standards for good governance, management, transparency and accountability.
October 2021 – CITE emerged triumphant during the TESDA Provincial Skills Competition with eight competitors awarded as gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in five different trade areas.
October 2021- TESDA VII awarded 13 DTS (Dual Training System) accreditation certificates to 4 industry partners who are compliant to the training standards of TESDA.
August 2022 – Agro-Industrial Technology and Enterprise Center (AI TEC) based in La Libertad, Negros Oriental ties up with CITE to provide training program for 62 scholars of Diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology and 26 scholars taking up the Production Technology.
September 2022 – Groundbreaking of the 6-storey RIAN dormitory project that will house CITE students.
November 2023 – Inauguration of RIAN Dormitory
March 2024 – TESDA Region VII awarded the Dual Training System accreditation certificates to two industry partners: NKC Conveyors Philippines Corporation for four programs and Mactan Rock Industries, Inc., a water and wastewater treatment company, for five programs.
February 2024, CITE joined over 1,000 participants from 35 countries at the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) World Congress held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino. With the theme “Family Life and New Technologies,” the congress highlighted topics such as virtuous leadership, artificial intelligence, mental health, and marriage. It was held alongside the 2nd World Congress of Personal Project for young professionals.
August 2024 – Alliance Software Inc., a global IT leader, launched a Low-Code Programming Course for 34 CITE Computer Engineering Technology students and alumni. Graduation was later that year.
October 2024 – TESDA Region VII awarded the Certificate of TVET Program Registration (CTPR) valid for five years and integrating 21st Century Skills. This certification affirms CITE’s readiness to deliver high-quality Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs and its full compliance with TESDA’s registration standards.
December 2024 – CITE received the Certificate of TVET Program Registration (CTPR) from TESDA for its one-year Production Technology course affirming its commitment to deliver industry relevant training.
March 2025 – CITE transitions to clean and renewable energy after Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) Foundation and Sasonbi Inc. (Sasonbisolar), a pioneer solar energy solutions provider in the country, officially inked a MOA for the CITE Solar Panel Project.
April 2025 – CITE’s Assessment Center is now accredited by TESDA to conduct competency assessments for various National Certificate (NC) qualifications.
April 2025 – Graduates from Negros Occidental were conferred certificates of completion during the graduation ceremony of CITE Technical Institute under the Negrense CITE – AI TEC (Agro-Industrial Technology and Enterprise Center) Scholarship Program held in Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol.
June 2025 – CITE alumnus and instructor Joemar Candilada was proclaimed TESDA Idol both at the provincial and regional level
July 2025 – In partnership with Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and AFOS Fish Visayas, CITE launched the Seafood Plant Assistant Qualification under the Dual Education and Training (DET) Program, welcoming its first 50 scholars in the one-year Production Technology course.
August 2025 – CITE formally adopted San Jose Day Care School through a memorandum of understanding signed between Dr. Jose Ramiro Carpio, Jr, CITE Executive Director and Hon. Edgardo Borces, barangay chief of San Jose.