Sibonga to open community college

For a third-class municipality with an annual income of only P9 million, having its own community college seems to be a big leap. But Mayor Lionel Bacaltos of Sibonga town is willing to take his chance by opening the Sibonga Community College this June that is expected to help educate residents especially those who can barely afford a college education.

With an average tuition fee of P2,900 per semester, Bacaltos, in an interview, said even those in the low-income class can enroll in the courses that the community college is offering.

The mayor said courses like elementary and high school education, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and a two-year Information Technology course will be offered.

The neophyte mayor explained that his point in putting up a college in his town, which is 50.7 kilometers south of Cebu City, is to help his young constituents especially those in the mountain barangays get a college education that is much cheaper than getting it from a private school.

And they don’t need to spend too much for transportation. Bacaltos said that in their town where farming is the main livelihood, only about 30 percent of the graduates from high school can go to college.

“When I think of that, maluoy intawon kaayo ko sa mga bata. Ngitngit kaayo ang ilang kaugmaon,” he said.

Already P1.5 million was earmarked by the government as startup budget for the project. As of the moment, however, Bacaltos said they are still hooking up with the Sibonga Central School for their temporary building while funds for the construction of the community college building are still being sourced out.

Bacaltos, however, said he already has the assurance of first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas to help him in this project. It was Gullas who established the Talisay City College in 2004.

Also, three additional high schools will be built in the town as promised by Gullas. There are currently four national high schools in this town of 25 barangays. — Liv G. Campo/MEEV