PLM holds the distinction of being : the first tertiary-level institution in the country to offer tuition-free education ; the first university funded solely by a city government ; and the first institution of higher learning in the country to have its official name in Filipino .
PLM holds the distinction of being the first in several ways -- the first institution of higher learning in the country and perhaps in Asia to offer tuition-free tertiary education ; the first university funded solely by a city government ; and the first institution of higher learning in the country to have its official name in Filipino .