The Cebu Provincial Government will construct a two-storey, six-classroom building for each of the soon-to-rise extension campuses of the Cebu Normal University (CNU) in three Cebu LGUs, namely, Municipality of Catmon in the north; and the Municipalities of Alegria and Argao in the south.

“The Province will commit, tulad ng binigay ko sa CTU (Cebu Technological University) na six classrooms,” Gov. Gwen Garcia told LGU and CNU officials during a meeting at the Capitol on July 5. 

Gov. Gwen was referring to the classrooms the Capitol built and inaugurated for CTU San Remigio and CTU Balamban; while the Capitol-funded buildings for CTU Toledo and CTU Pinamungajan are in varying stages of construction. 

Present during the meeting at the Governor’s Office were seventh district Congressman Peter John Calderon, Alegria Mayor Gilberto Magallon accompanied by Vice Mayor Verna Magallon; Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo, and Catmon Mayor Avis Monleon. 

CNU officials were led by Vice President for Administration Dr. Joseph Tubilan; while the Commission on Higher Education was represented by regional director Dr. Maura Cristobal. 

The mayors sought an audience with Gov. Gwen to ask the Capitol’s aid in expediting their applications with CNU and CHED so that their own extension campuses could start operations as early as the opening of classes in August. 

If their applications are granted, however, the mayors said it would be inevitable that some students would hold classes in covered courts and makeshift classrooms for the mean time. 

Mayor Monleon said Catmon so far has already 600 hopeful applicants who will take up any of the five programs CNU Catmon will be offering. Mayor Magallon, for his part, said Alegria has already completed submitting all requirements and are awaiting the response from CNU and CHED. 

Argao Mayor Sesaldo admitted, though, that they are yet to compete their papers. 

CHED 7 director Dr. Cristobal informed Gov. Gwen that the regional office only endorses documents to the central office as it does not have the authority to give approval. It is the responsibility of CNU management 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,” Dr. Cristobal explained.

For his part Dr. Tubilan said that they are still evaluating the documents submitted by the LGUs, but assured Gov. Gwen and the mayors that they will collaborate closely with CHED to ensure that these extension campuses can commence classes as planned.

The mayors welcomed this development and thanked Gov. Gwen for her prompt response to their call, as these initiatives will greatly benefit their constituents, especially in providing easier access to quality tertiary state-funded education.

CNU Catmon will rise in Barangay Panalipan; CNU Argao will be built in Barangay Binlod; and CNU Alegria is located in Barangay Filomena. | BJR