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Cebu News

Capitol to construct buildings for three new CNU campuses

Le Phyllis F. Antojado-Orillaneda, Kristin De Dios - The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu provincial government has pledged to construct a two-storey six-classroom building for each of the soon-to-rise extension campuses of the Cebu Normal University (CNU) in three towns of the province.

These campuses will be built in the Municipality of Catmon northern Cebu, and in the Municipalities of Alegria and Argao in the south.

In a report by Sugbo News, the official media arm of the province, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assured the concerned local government units (LGU) and CNU officials in a meeting last Friday that the Capitol will fund a building for each campus.

“The Province will commit, tulad ng binigay ko sa CTU (Cebu Technological University) na six classrooms,” said Gov. Gwen Garcia.

In 2022, Capitol also built and inaugurated a classroom in CTU San Remigio Campus, while Capitol-funded buildings for CTU Toledo and CTU Pinamungajan are still being constructed.

Further, Catmon Mayor Avis Monleon, Alegria Mayor Gilberto Magallon, and Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo sought the help of Governor Garcia in expediting their applications with CNU and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to start the operations of the extension campuses as early as the opening of classes next month.

In the report, the mayors said though that if their applications are granted, students would have to hold classes in covered courts and makeshift classrooms for the meantime.

CHED-7 director Dr. Cristobal informed Governor Garcia that their office has no authority to give approval for the operation. Instead they can endorse documents to the central office.

Cristobal clarified that the CNU management has the responsibility to decide whether to approve or reject the documents submitted to them by the LGUs.

“Ang action po, Gov, manggagaling sa CNU kasi yung papel nila na ibibigay sa amin, yun ang i-evaluate ng regional office as to completeness. Then these documents will be submitted to the Central Office,” said Cristobal.

For their part, CNU Vice President for Administration Joseph Elvir Tubilan said that they are still evaluating the documents submitted by the LGUs.

Tubilan assured the governor and the town mayors that they will collaborate closely with CHED to ensure that these extension campuses can begin classes as planned.

Currently, Catmon Mayor Monleon said there are already 600 hopeful applicants who will take up any of the offered programs of CNU Catmon.

Alegria Mayor Magallon, for his part, is still waiting for the decision as they have already submitted all the requirements, while Argao Mayor Sesaldo admitted that they have yet to complete their papers.

In preparation for the new CNU campus in Alegria, the town conducted a comprehensive study which showed that residents preferred to have Education (Elementary and Secondary Education), Engineering (Maritime Engineering), Criminology, Nursing, and IT as degree programs or courses to be offered.

“While we may not be able to launch all five courses simultaneously in the pioneer year, rest assured that we are dedicated to gradually introducing them. Our aim is to ensure that our young Alegrianhons have access to the education they need to succeed in their chosen fields and contribute meaningfully to our community and beyond,” Mayor Magallon said in his facebook account.

In a separate interview, Tubilan further told The Freeman that there will be four more extension campuses of CNU, which will be in the towns of Compostela, Dalaguete, Ronda, and Poro in Camotes Islands.

The vice president for administration added that this is their way to share CNU’s branding even in the remote areas of the province. He also added that the main campus can no longer cater to the number of aspiring students.

“I think its high time nga mu-expand ang Cebu Normal University because there’s a need right now. Ang main campus can no longer accommodate, puno na g’yud kaayo ta, gamay ra kayo atong lugar so kinahanglan na g’yud mu expand. We’d like also na ang brand sa CNU atong ma share even to the remotest area in the province, kay mao nay importante nato, gusto natoang contribution sa tanan maka-eskwela,” said Tubilan in an interview.

Agreement

Meanwhile, a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been inked by CNU, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the local government of Alegria to realize the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) Program in Alegria, southern Cebu.

According to CNU, the said agreement “aims to help Alegria in crafting technology-based development plans for the agri-based, manufacturing, and service sectors; in identifying technology-based investment areas following the validated plans in collaboration with the LGUs; and in engaging Researchers, Scientists, and Engineers (RSEs) who will support technology-based investments and projects in the region”.

The signing was led by director of the Research Institute of Tropical Biology and Pharmacological Biotechnology (RITBPB), and SUC president Dr. Daniel Ariaso, Sr., who was represented by VP Tubilan.

OIC-Regional Director of DOST-7 Dr. Tristan Abando and Alegria Mayor Magallon were also present during the signing at CNU main campus. (CEBU NEWS)

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