[3][4] The school was established to meet the growing need for businessmen and women in government service and private employment.
[5] In 1940, President Manuel L. Quezon, during his graduation address at Rizal Memorial Stadium, promised a new building for the school.
[5] Subsequently, in 1942, Congressman Manuel A. Alazarte along with the PSC's Department Head Luis F. Reyes formulated a bill to this effect, and it was presented to Congress.
The PCC broadened its program offerings with the inclusion of undergraduate courses in commerce and related fields.
In 1965, the site of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Pandacan, Manila was reserved for the use of PCC through the proclamation of President Diosdado Macapagal.
[6] Two years later, President Ferdinand Marcos also reserved a 10 hectare (24 acres (0.1 km2)) lot in Bicutan, Taguig for PCC's exclusive use.
[8] The governance of the university was also democratized,[8] with students actively participating in making academic and economic decisions.
[8] Among the achievements during this year were: assignment of rooms to the student council, completion of the construction of the Main Library, introduction of new courses, and the institution of several computerization projects.
[10] His administration mainly focused on the upcoming centenary of the school and the improvements of the facilities of the university and its other campuses.
As part of the celebration and to highlight the signing of the Declaration of Peace to be put before the United Nations, the university broke the record for the world's largest human rainbow[12] consisting of 30,365 students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Highlights of his administration include:[14] the construction and inauguration of the executive offices and conference rooms (Mateo, Olonan, and Carague) on the 2nd floor of the South Wing of the main building.
Through Proclamation 1992, President Arroyo stressed the need for a permanent home of the Mabini Shrine for the protection and preservation of its historical and architectural value.
Dr. Guevarra would be replaced by Edicio G. dela Torre, who became the Officer-in-Charge for only two months while the Board of Regents searched for a new University President, although this decision did not set well with the faculty and students.
[16][17] His administration is focused on [18] clearing paths while laying new foundations to transform the Polytechnic University of the Philippines into an epistemic community with strategic objectives that include Pursuing Academic Excellence through Disciplinal Integrity; Embedding a Culture of Research; Assuring Transparency and Participation in Giving Rewards and Sanctions; Modernization and Upgrading of Physical Facilities, Equipment, Library and Campus Development; Reconceptualization of Academic Freedom; Institutionalizing Civil Society Engagement and Involved Extension Service Program; Fiscal Responsibility; and Assessment of the Institutional Processes and Critical-Rational Review of the Entire Organization.