City to join bidding for City College land

Sunday, February 20, 2011

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government here will join the bidding for a piece of property by the end of the month in its desire to give the City College permanent and own campus.

During its 31st regular session, the City Council led by Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago had approved Resolution No. 2011-009, authorizing Mayor Oscar Rodriguez to represent the City Government in the public auction of a real property, about 20,267 square meters, in Barangay San Juan.

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According to majority floor leader and committee on appropriations chair Alex Patio, the property is the former site of Orchids Farm Resort, now owned by Sta. Rita Rural Bank. He added that some P28 million are in the bank for the purchase of the land, which starting bid price is reportedly at P800 per square meter.

The funds for the City College campus and building were “frozen” after initial talks for its relocation to the former site of the Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines Terminal in Barangay Del Pilar failed because of some technicalities and legalities.

The City College is temporarily housed at the Pampanga High School campus, where some 500 scholars of the city take up various courses.

But the Commission on Higher Education had earlier noted the near expiry of the term in its provision, which states that the City College should have its own campus within two years.

In a recent interview with Sun.Star Pampanga, Rodriguez said the City Government would comply with the provision, and find alternative areas for the City College.

“In any case, we have studies now for the transfer of the City College, among which is the San Juan property and the other one at the back of Heroes Hall. Marami na ang third year sa City College and we have assured all of them there na tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral,” said Rodriguez.