Sunday, July 20, 2008 Morales lauded for putting up Mabalacat college By Reynaldo G. Navales
MABALACAT -- Officials of the Mabalacat National College (MNC) have commended Mayor Marino Morales for effecting the establishment of a public tertiary school, which offers low tuition to students.
Dr. Neonita Faustino, dean of the MNC Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Secondary Education, said Morales has shown determination to establish an affordable college in this first-class town.
"The Mabalacat National College sprung from the heart of Mayor Marino Morales," said Faustino.
Faustino and Morales led the blessing of a two-storey, 15-classroom facility at the Northville Subdivision in Barangay Atlu Bola here on Friday.
The mayor said his dream to have a college within the reach of poor folk's budget is now here.
John Paul Pallasigui, dean of the MNC Information Technology (IT) center, disclosed that there are 62 students enrolled in the college.
He added that 27 of the 62 students are taking IT courses and the rest are education students.
Pallasigui said an IT or education student had paid an average of P5,000 per semester. He said an IT course in other schools in Pampanga cost about P20,000 per semester.
"Payment for an education course is about P18,000 per semester," said Pallasigui, who was a former professor at the Guagua National Colleges (GNC).
He said 10 teachers with master's degrees will teach at MNC on a full-time basis. There are also five part-time teachers in the school.
Morales said "education is the priority of my administration." He added that since he had become mayor in 1995 he established several public and elementary schools.
"But I am happy that the first community college is now a reality. Education is the best weapon against poverty," he added.
Carmelita Sotto, district supervisor of the Mabalacat East, said MNC will stay in Atlu Bola for one year but it will be transferred to the Mabalacat Community High School n Barangay Dolores.
According to Sotto, they have provided additional managerial support and assistance to the community college.
