LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Sangguniang Bayan of Santo Domingo in Albay province approved on Tuesday, March 14, an ordinance establishing a community college in the municipality that will make tertiary education more accessible to residents, especially the poor.
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Alfredo Balbin Jr. Five councilors voted “Yes,” four were against, and one abstained.
Town Mayor Joseling Aguas said the community college is his dream that will benefit residents.
“This is a life-long dream hindi lang sa akin (not only for me) even the time of former Mayor Herbie. Ito po ay isang pangarap natin para sa mga taga-Santo Domingo (It is our dream for people of Santo Domingo), wherein the access for education para po doon sa mga magko-kolehiyo (for those in college) ay (is) very accessible and not just that, it would be free,” Aguas said.
Santo Domingo is among the coastal municipalities of Albay and is 20 kilometers away from this city where tertiary schools are located.
“I am very much thankful sa atin pong (to our) Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Mark Aguas na sila po ang nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob para magka-totoo ang matagal ng pangarap ng mga taga-Santo Domingo (they pursued to make the community college a dream come true for the people of Santo Domingo) ,” Aguas said.
The community college will be put up in Barangay San Andres while the original lot for the school is still under negotiations.
“As of now temporarily we will put it sa (in) San Andres, at ang pinaka-site po natin ay i-a-announce lang po kasi (the actual site will be announced later) under negotiation pa (still under negotiation). Most likely it is a one-hectare lot, kasi dream ko ay ideal community college na may buildings, may laboratories at may gymnasium (my ideal community college has buildings, laboratories, and gymnasium),” Aguas said.
Aguas said the local government unit has allocated P5 million for the establishment of the school and P10 million for the purchase of the lot. He was assured additional funding from Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda who lead powerful committees in the House of the Representatives.