Bill converting CNU-Medellin into a regular campus okayed

CEBU, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved the bill converting the Cebu Normal University-Medellin satellite campus into a regular campus of CNU.

The House approved Monday the House Bill No. 5885 containing the joint report of the Committees on Appropriations and on Higher and Technical Education chaired by Representatives Isidro Ungab and Roman Romulo, respectively.

The bill provides that CNU-Medellin satellite campus to be known as the CNU-Medellin Campus.

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez welcomed the development, saying the law will provide “security of tenure for those connected as instructors and finally recognized as part and parcel of CNU.”

On July 25, 2013, Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon filed House Bill No. 1944 providing the CNU-Medellin Campus a budget separate from CNU Main Campus.

Since its establishment in 2008 through the effort of Ramirez, it is the local government of Medellin that appropriated millions of pesos for the operation and maintenance of the branch campus.

With the growth of enrolment and the increasing requirement for administrative personnel and school facilities, Salimbangon said the local government of Medellin is facing financial challenge in the operation of the campus.

“The present system works inimical to the purpose for which the campus was created. Without a separate budget of its own, CNU-Medellin will soon fall short of providing quality education which CNU is known for,” Salimbangon said.

Under the bill, the municipality of Medellin will continue providing assistance until full funding requirements of the CNU-Medellin Campus is included in the annual General Appropriations Act. — Gregg M. Rubio/LPM (FREEMAN)