• RITZY R. MALO-OY
The vision of making Binalbagan town the center of education in the southern part of Negros Occidental is slowly becoming a reality with the donation of three hectares of land from Carmen Agricultural Development Corporation (CADC) to the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas (TUPV).
The deed of donation and agreement were signed between CADC led by its president, Lucia Villafranca, and TUP system president, Dr. Reynaldo Ramos, in a ceremony this week at Natures Village Resort in Talisay City.
Rep. Emilio Bernardino “Dino” Yulo (5th District, Negros Occidental), in an interview with the DAILY STAR, said “as an ardent believer of TUPV, its entry to the fifth district will change the economic as well as the profile of the district,” and expressed his strong commitment and support for the project.
He pledged P10 million from his budget to start the construction of the school which he believes will usher technologically-advanced professionals in the fifth district and team up with local industries such as sugar mills.
Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, on the other hand, thanked the donors of the property for their benevolence and committed P5 million from his budget to augment the construction of the school.
Meanwhile, Franklin Fuentebella, CADC director, expressed that the said project was 20 years in the making, started from dreaming of having their workers’ children educated in TUPV, which, according to him, will give them a good chance of landing a job and even working abroad. He, likewise, pledged another P10 million for the school.
“This is a realization of our dream to have a TUP in southern Negros where parents will not spend much for their fare, accommodation, and allowances,” Fuentebella added.
The property where TUPV in Binalbagan is soon to rise is located at Brgy. San Jose.
The ceremony was attended by CADC chairman Aurora Fuentebella, TUPV campus director, Dr. Eric Malo-oy, and former campus director, Eng. Leoncio Jamora, Dr. Lainie Mae Bala-an, Engr. Mark Siason – TUPV assistant director for academic affairs, Engr. Jovel Young and Rutchel Pabalinas.*
