First female head named at TCC: Velasquez in, Galleon out

CEBU, Philippines - After less than two hours of deliberation during a special meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Talisay City College yesterday named a new acting president with the temporary appointment of former Cebu Normal University president Dr. Ester Velasquez.

Velasquez, who became the second CNU president in 2000, was chosen to replace Dr. Joseph Sol Galleon, the associate dean of Cebu Normal University, as she committed to work closely with the school. 

In a closed door meeting held at the Commission on Higher Education Region VII, six of the 11-member BOT unanimously approved the temporary appointment of Velasquez until such time the BOT-screening committee will have its permanent president of the city college.

Of the 11 members, present yesterday were only Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas as honorary member, City Councilors Edward Alesna and Richard Francis Aznar,  Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez, the president of Cebu Normal University and Dr. Victor D. Villaganas, the president of the Cebu Technological University and Alan Bucao, the president of the Talisay Chamber of Commerce.

Ironically, Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, who sits as the chairman, was absent. Also not in the meeting were Talisay City District Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo who is the board secretary; the regional director of CHED; and the city treasurer.

According to Aznar, there were two other nominees aside from Velasquez. They were Dr. Heidi Limosnero, who was installed as its first president in 1998 and Gregorio Gamboa Jr., acting campus director, CTU-San Fernando Extension.

However, Limosnero and Gamboa declined the position.

"It's agreed by the BOT that OIC president preferably be an academician, educator and committed to render full-time service, among others," Aznar said, adding that Velasquez committed when she was called by the BOT.

It was Lopez who presided the meeting yesterday.

Aznar believes that Velasquez can perform well at the city college. 

During her term as CNU president, Velasquez initiated several major academic programs which were said to have greatly increased the enrollment of the university and enhanced its prestige.

Notable among these initiatives are the Center for Excellence in Teacher Education, Language- Intensive Kindergarten Education, AMUMA (a school for caregivers), BSN - HAP or BSN for Health - Allied Professionals, Diploma in Professional Education for graduates of other courses who wish to teach and GASAKA, among others.

Earlier, the Commission on Audit and first district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas noted that whoever sits as next Talisay City College president must render full-time service and not concurrently hold any other government position.

Gullas said anyone who will sit as president of the city-run college should work full-time in conformity with Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 04 and Talisay City Ordinance No. 2008-11.

Gullas is a member of TCC board which is headed by Mayor Johnny De los Reyes.

In a related development, COA called the attention of then mayor and now Councilor Socrates Fernandez after it noted that the city hired the services of Dr. Tomas Ramos as college president while concurrently holding the same position in another college in Lapu-Lapu City.

COA said as Ramos was serving two schools, he could have sacrificed his time for TCC on occasions where his presence was also needed in Lapu-Lapu City College.

After Ramos, the TCC board has not appointed any permanent president.

In his resignation letter, Galleon earlier pointed out, "I don't have peace of mind in Talisay City College, and I feel I cannot survive in there."

Furthermore, Galleon said he has been suffering too much physical, psychological and emotional stresses in handling the affairs of the school. (FREEMAN)