Government scholars studying in Guihulngan City will soon have the chance to benefit from a free dormitory that a lady legislator is planning to erect inside the Negros Oriental State University campus.{{more}}
This after Board Member Jessica Villanueva was able to secure funds from government officials for the construction of her proposed P3-million dormitory intended for government scholars in Guihulngan City.
Villanueva said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Gov. Roel Degamo have each pledged to sink P1 million for the construction of a two-storey dormitory building within the NORSU Guihulngan Campus.
Set up barracks-style, the first floor will be for male students while the second floor will accommodate female students with a common mess hall, laundry area and study rooms. “Sen. Cayetano has emphasized that there should be a study area in the dormitory,” said Villanueva.
The dormitory can only house 100 students in a campus with close to 2,000 scholars. “A committee will be formed to screen the students who are interested to stay in the dormitory. We will be prioritizing those who are from far-flung and hinterland areas,” explained Villanueva, who sits as chairman of the the Committee on Education at the Provincial Board.
Villanueva is hopeful that the dormitory will address the financial woes of parents who have a hard time ensuring that their children finish their college education. “With the free dormitory, it will lessen the expenses faced by parents in sending their children to college,” said the lady board member.
Guihulngan City Mayor Ernesto Reyes have also pledged to provide sand and gravel for the construction of the dormitory and for a dormitory caretaker which will be paid for by the city government while soldiers of the Philippine Army unit based in Guihulngan will serve as the manpower resources during the construction.
Villanueva is targeting the dormitory completion before the start of school in June. However, as of this writing, construction has not yet started pending the arrival of the promised funds from the office of Sen. Cayetano. (RMN/PIA-7)