CEBU City needs a city college now, Mayor Edgardo Labella tells opposition in the City Council.
Labella, in a statement, said that what his administration is proposing is a public institution that offers courses tailored to the aims of the city’s sustainable development.
He said local technocrats must be trained to work on issues plaguing the city for close to three decades like garbage, flooding and dysfunctional water systems.
He also pointed out the traffic problem and the lack of social workers, the need for affordable housing and the need to upgrade areas identified with the workforce.
Labella said experts from different countries, through their consulates, will help him set up the college, which will offer courses that will help address problems that beset the city.
The Cebu City College (CCC) will offer four-year programs on solid waste management, flood control, traffic systems, environmental management, water systems, nutrition science, hospital administration and nursing.
It will also offer two-year programs on caregiving, welding, hotel and service industry, sustainable farming and robotics.
“The city ordinance on the college is already in the pipeline, awaiting approval but currently blocked by naysayers. Remember what is at stake here. Private institutions in the our city only marginally admit low-income students. Where does opposition want the diligent but underprivileged students to go, forward with development or back to the hovels? The people, especially the poor who work hard and long for advancement, truly need the Cebu City College. The sooner we inaugurate it, the better we can boost our city’s demographic strength,” the mayor said.
Labella said the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) 7 has given the green light for the CCC.
But the proposed ordinance for its creation, authored by Councilor Raymond Garcia, is opposed by Councilor Joy Young, who wants City Ordinance (CO) 2320, which Young authored, to be the basis for the creation of the college.
During the public hearing on Garcia’s proposed ordinance, Ched and the City Legal Office headed by Rey Gealon recommended revoking CO 2320, which was passed in 2012 yet, since it doesn’t follow the guidelines the commission released on the establishment of city colleges.
Garcia said his proposed ordinance specifies what Ched requires so Cebu City can operate a local college.
The City Government is still looking for a property where the school will rise. Funding will come from the National Government with a local counterpart.
Once all the requirements are met and Garcia’s proposed ordinance is passed, construction can begin next year
Labella said the establishment of the CCC was one of his campaign promises. (FROM PAC OF SUPERBALITA CEBU / PJB)