To celebrate the university’s 20th anniversary, the Marikina City local government inaugurated on Wednesday, Jan. 18, a new building of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) at the SSS Village in Barangay Concepcion Dos, Marikina City.

The inauguration was led by Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, District 1 Congresswoman Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro, Vice Mayor Marion Andres, along with PLMar President Dr. Erico Habijan, city and university officials.

PLMar is the city’s first “city government-funded university” and created through Ordinance No. 015, Series of 2003.

The new building is part of the second phase of the PLMar expansion.

The six-storey, fully-furnished building features wider facilities for classrooms and function rooms, catering to the many courses and programs offered by the university.

The local government hopes that the renovations will facilitate more efficient transactions, a more inclusive learning environment for students and teachers, and breed better modes of teaching that will entice and inspire students.

The local government added it will continue to provide quality and affordable tertiary education to the students in Marikina City.

"Muli nating pinatunayan ang positibong bunga ng pagtutulungan at mabuting pamamahala upang maipagpatuloy at mapagtagumpayan ang isa sa aming mga pangarap para sa kabataan -- kalidad at abot-kamay na edukasyon (Once again, we proved the positive outcome of cooperation and good governance in order to continue and accomplish one of our dreams for our city's youth – quality and accessible education)," said Congresswoman Teodoro at the event.

Congresswoman Teodoro has also committed to providing the materials and equipment, as well as other supplementary needs of the university.

Meanwhile, Mayor Teodoro congratulated the university administration, the teachers, and the students present at the event.

Beyond the benefits of the new university building, he asked the teachers and administrators to continue caring for the well-being of their students, and to always consider their circumstances in life.

"Hindi natin nais na makadevelop lamang ng mga indibidwal to their full potential. Iyon ang pangarap natin, pero higit pa doon, ay ang makapagtapos tayo (We do not simply aim to develop individuals to their full potential. That is our goal, but more so, we wish for them to finish their studies)," Teodoro said.

Construction is ongoing for a third phase for PLMar. The soon-to-rise building extension will be home to more classrooms for the university and serve more students.