This year CHED-7 won't be able to occupy new building

CEBU – The Commission on Higher Education in Central Visayas might not be able to transfer to its new building in Sudlon, barangay Lahug by the end of this year as planned.

This is because the lack of funds has delayed the completion of the construction on the original target date which is before the end of October.

Efren Sucaldito, CHED-7 education supervisor II who is also the information officer, said that the construction of their new building in Sudlon is still 60 percent complete.

The construction of the building to house the CHED regional office worth P10 million started in April this year.

Originally, the target date for its completion is before the end of this month. But because of the lack of funds from the central office in Manila, Sucaldito said that construction will likely be finished early next year instead.

Sucaldito said that the flooring and walling have not been completed yet and that fencing has not even started. However, the basic structure has already been built. CHED-7 right now is renting, at P65,000 monthly, an office space on the third floor of the LDM building along Legaspi Street corner MJ Cuenco Avenue this city.   Sucaldito said that every region was given the funding for the construction of its own office. The regional offices, however, are tasked of scouting for the building site.

In Region 7, the provincial government donated a 1,700-square-meter lot at the Ecotech Center in Sudlon for use by the higher education department.

Sucaldito said the P65,000 monthly rental fee will be saved and used for other educational plans by the department once the new building is ready for occupancy.

It will be a three-storey building. The Office of the Director will be located on the first floor, the division offices on the second floor, and the conference room on the third floor. — Jessica Ann Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)