MABALACAT CITY -- The City Government, in cooperation with the Provincial Government and Hausland Realty Corporation (HDC) and Department of Education (DepEd), is set to establish a satellite campus of the Mabalacat City College in Barangay Madapdap here.
The project will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), said Mayor Marino Morales.
HDC donated a one hectare land near its new low-cost housing site for the extension school. The school site is part of a 27-hectare land, owned by Dr. Rolando Buan, where the Fiesta Communities Madapdap is being developed by Hausland.
Morales recognizes the role of the private sector particularly in the development of the city particularly on building of classrooms in public schools.
The mayor said construction of the two-storey 10-classroom building will start as soon as the HDC finishes the school fence. He said the college is expected to be completed and operational next school year.
Governor Lilia Pineda vowed to allocate P10 million and the City Government will appropriate an equity amounting to P10 million, Morales said.
HDC president Willie Tan suggested the inclusion of a primary and secondary school in the satellite campus.
In response to this, Morales said he will ask the DepEd to provide elementary and high school classes in the school.
Tan lauded the governor and city officials for implementing the school project.
"Nakita po namin ang intensyon ng governor at ng mga city officials na magtayo ng extension school sa Madapdap," Tan said.
According to him, the Mabalacat City College management has seen the need to construct a satellite campus in a thickly populated area.
Tan described the location strategic because it is seated in between at least five big resettlement sites including Madapdap, Camachiles, and Mawaque.
Hausland is also considering affordable education to children for its prospective buyers, said Tan.
"Hindi lang naman nabentahan namin sila ng bahay ay tapos na. Alam naman namin na karamihan sa aming mga buyers ay mga nag-uumpisang pamilya," Tan said. "Masaya po tayo na makapag-donate ng isang hektarya para sa school dahil nakikita rin po natin ang mas mahabang benepisyo nito sa ating komunidad."
Buan, for his part, said it is the responsibility of a successful man to share his blessings to the community and other people.