City College to have own campus

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City College of San Fernando would soon have its very own campus and building complete with facilities.

This, as the City Government led by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez will forge a pact Tuesday with Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines President and Chief Executive Officer Natividad Paras-Niece for the use of the bus firm’s terminal along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Del Pilar, very near the new public market.

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Rodriguez said the move came after Niece personally offered the property after learning that the City Government was looking for a site to house the City College, which is temporarily located at Pampanga High School campus in this city.

“It is such an endearing move that Mrs. Niece offered us the property at a way low price despite offers tendered before [that] were actually double the existing rates. She even worked on our terms when she got to know that it would benefit the poorest of our students who want to pursue college,” Rodriguez said.

He said the move would stir up economic in the south part of the city since it would be an economic enterprise complemented by the conversion of the new public market as a “bagsakan center” and the city’s vision to become a highly urbanized city soon.

“With the City College there, it would boost the development of our southern communities as we push to become a highly urbanized city. Eventually, we are looking at the City College to become part of the University of the Philippines so many more, even those who could afford it, could get the same high quality education the City College offers. With all structures in place, we see the new City College operational by June this year,” said Rodriguez.

Presently, some 600 students are enrolled at the City College taking up baccalaureate degrees in Information Technology, Education and Business Administration.

City Councilor and education czar Jimmy Lazatin said the move would boost the college’s growth and assure its sustainability.

“Our Adopt A Scholar Program is doing very fine and a lot of families, even those abroad, continue to adopt scholars at our City College. This ensures its sustainability as we move ahead,” he said.

As this developed, the City Council headed by Santiago approved the supplemental budget of P61 million to realize the project, including the provision of complete facilities for the new City College campus.

“We are always ready to support the City Government’s top agenda, which is education. We at the City Council have issued landmark ordinances on education and we vow to continue doing so to alleviate poverty through education,” Santiago said.