Celso backs WMSU extension in Curuan
Mayor Celso Lobregat has expressed full support to the proposal of barangay and education officials in the Curuan and Vitali districts for the establishment of the External Studies Unit of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) undergraduate program in barangay Curuan starting school year 2010-2011.
A staunch education advocate, Mayor Lobregat said he will strongly endorse the proposal to the WMSU Board of Regents (BOR) and do everything possible to ensure that it is granted.
The resolution, signed by all barangay chairmen of Curuan and Vitali districts, the Curuan National High School principal and the Curuan Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) officials, was presented to Mayor Lobregat during a program celebrating Curuan National High School day, yesterday, March 9, at the school’s gymnasium.
Upon receipt of the resolution, Mayor Lobregat immediately signed the documents together with Councilor Rudy Lim, chairman of the Council committee on education signifying strong support to the proposal. At the same time, the chief executive called WMSU President Dr. Grace Rebollos through cellular phone to inform her about the resolution and his strong support to the same.
The mayor was expected to formally endorse the resolution to the WMSU BOR upon his return to City Hall from Curuan yesterday afternoon.
The proposed WMSU ESU in Curuan will cover barangay Curuan and the neighboring villages of Calabasa, Quiniput, Latuan, Panubigan, Muti, Dita, Bolong, Sangali, Sibulao, Limaong, Tagasilay, Licomo, Tictapul, Bungiao, Tigbalabag, Mangusu, Quiniput, Tumitus and Vitali.
Mayor Lobregat, whose administration has been continuously cited for the unceasing support to education, believed that the proposed establishment of WMSU extension services would make tertiary education accessible to youths in the area.
Every year, thousands of high school students graduate from these areas comprising the Vitali and Curuan districts. Most of them have to commute to the city proper to take up tertiary courses. The tertiary school located in the area is the Vitali Technical-Vocational School, an institution operated by the city government.
Curuan National high School Principal Laarni Abad thanked Mayor Lobregat for the continuing support to education and most especially for the positive response to the plea of the barangay and education sector in the area.
The Curuan National High School Day celebration was attended by thousands of students, parents, teachers and barangay officials and folks and was also graced by Councilors Cesar Iturralde, Nonong Guingona, Eddie Saavedra, council aspirants Roseller Natividad, Mike Alavar and VP Elago, City Engineer Luis Despalo and City Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Norma Vecina. (Sheila Covarrubias)