1st 24/7 study center in Pardo opened

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government opened the first 24/7 study center in the city outside the public library yesterday called the  A+ Study Center, which is located at the second floor of the Barangay Poblacion Pardo Market building.

The study center can accommodate over 100 people.

During the ribbon-cutting yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said more study centers that will be established in the city so that students will have more options where to study.

These will be in Barangay Mabolo; the abandoned barangay hall in Calamba; first floor of the Ramos Market, two floors of the dormitory along N. Bacalso Avenue, second floor of T. Padilla Market, and second floor of San Nicolas Market.

“Atong i-spread out kay daghang mga students sa lain laing lugar. The government is there to serve you,” he said.

Elaine Tabura, a medical student, expressed her gratitude to the city government and the barangay for opening the study center round-the-clock.

Tabura usually goes to the Cebu City Public Library when it operated 24/7 but she is from Barangay Poblacion Pardo which is located over seven kilometers away.

“Since open ang public library, adto na gyod ko mag-study kay mahal ang coffee shops. But karong open na ang study center, anhi nako kay convenient sa akoa kay duol ra kaayo sa amoa,” she said.

She hopes that there will be more books that will be displayed in the newly-opened study center.

Raphael James Bullecer, a Grade-9 student, thanked the city government for “making them a priority.”

City Councilor Joy Augustus Young, deputy mayor for education matters, said the next study center will be launched after the Lenten season and this is Barangay Mabolo.

He said the city government will come up with guidelines on how to use the public library and the study centers since there are already reports that some people are treating the study places as their houses.

For the A+ Study Center in Poblacion Pardo, Young said it took the city and the barangay over two weeks to prepare the area for its operation.

“Pasalamat ta kay daghan kaayo ang misulti nga mo-donate sila og tables and chairs para sa atong study centers maabot after sa Semana Santa nasiguro maong for now, nanghuwam lang usa mi og tables and chairs,” he said.

The air-conditioned A+ Study Center has tables and chairs, few books, among other facilities.

Young said the city government will install WiFi routers for the internet access of the students.

For the first two months of operation, he said the use of the facility will be for free.

But he will propose for a minimum payment of P5 in the coming months so that the students will not abuse the use of the centers.

Young said the students should also wear decent clothes when they enter public library or the study centers.

He will let a group of persons with disability (PWDs) in Poblacion Pardo to sell dry goods for the snacks of the students.

Young said the city government is eyeing to open all study centers before the school opening in June this year.

Barangay Councilor Manolita “Litang” Abarquez will oversee the operation of the 24/7 study center in the barangay.

Abarquez said she is hoping that the students will assist them in maintaining the study area conducive for learning.

City Councilor Margarita Osmeña said she hope that Barangay Poblacion Pardo will be responsible and be a model for other barangays to follow.

“We should be part because we are the first and the only one sa tibuok nasud to have 24/7 public library. This has become a national phenomenon. This is what Cebu city is known for now,” she said.

“It is something that defines Cebu City. I challenge the people of Poblacion Pardo to make this a good example for all. You are the first barangay to have a public center,” she added. —MBG (FREEMAN)