Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 3, No. 5, December 2015 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 178 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Socio-Economic Desirability of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges’ Extension Campus in Balatan, Camarines Sur, Philippines Seth B. Barandon Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, Nabua, Camarines Sur, Philippines sethbarandon@ymail.com Date Received: October 30, 2015; Date Revised: November 23, 2015 Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 3 No.5, 178-185 December 2015 Part II P-ISSN 2350-7756 E-ISSN 2350-8442 www.apjmr.com Abstract –A government project to be worthy of financing should be geared towards generating not only income but also social and economic benefits to various stakeholders.This descriptive-survey assessed the socio-economic feasibility of the establishment of an extension campus of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges in Balatan, Camarines Sur. It determined the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and their perceived benefits for the residents of Balatan, business sector, local government unit, and the prospective enrolees in Balatan. Convenience sampling was used for the 106 respondents chosen randomly. Data were gathered thru interview using 3-item guide. Follow-up questions were posed to elicit information that will support prior answers. Data were organized and quantified using percentage. Results revealed that the perceived benefits are opportunity for employment within Balatan, prospect to establish new business, and increase in tax collection. Additionally, other benefits identified are the increase in literacy rate, development of tourism industry, and opportunity for infrastructure development. The proposed project will significantly contribute to the social and economic development of Balatan. Keywords –social development, socio-economic feasibility, descriptive survey design, Balatan, Camarines Sur, extension campus INTRODUCTION Higher education institutions (HEIs) are key actors in generating relevant skills, knowledge and innovation and play a critical role in the growth of local and national economies [1]–[5], and determinants in the improvement of a nation’s health, contribution to the reduction of population growth, enhancement of technology, and strengthen governance [6].Clearly, higher education and economic development are inextricably linked to one another [2], [5]. A government project to be worthy of financing should be geared towards generating not only income but also social and economic benefits to various stakeholders [7] and is given first importance for government projects [8]. Socio-economic desirability addresses the influences that a proposed project may have on the social system in the project environment. The planned extension campus will be established at the municipality of Balatan, a 4 th class municipality subdivided into 17 barangays in the 5 th district of the province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region which is in the southern part of the Luzon group of islands. The municipality is situated about 280 km east-south- east of Manila, the Country’s main capital. The town isalmost a 1-hour ride by jeepney, the only available public transportation, andabout 24 km from Nabua, the location of the Main Campus. At present, the municipality does not have any higher education institution that shall cater to its secondary school graduates. If these graduates are to attend their class in Nabua, they have to travel for about one hour and pay a one-way fare of Php40.00. The time of travel and transportation fee significantly contribute to their daily expenses. Balatan is mainly dependent on agriculture as source of income and livelihood for the people. Agriculture production in that area has its ample share of crops, livestock and fishery. In Balatan, farming and fishing are the main occupation of its inhabitants. About 75.04% of the total municipal lands are devoted to crop production including corn, bananas, rice, vegetables, legumes, sweet potato, coffee, high value crops, fruits, sugar cane, coconut, abaca, root crops and other industrial crops. Livestock and other sources of livelihood