MABALACAT CITY – Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda inaugurated the newly constructed satellite campus of Mabalacat City College (MCC) at barangay Dapdap here on Thursday.
The two-storey building with 20 rooms situated in a one-hectare lot cost P21 million. The provincial government allotted P11 million for the construction approved by the Provincial Board.
1st district Rep. Joseller ‘Yeng’ Guiao also augmented P10 million for the construction of the satellite campus while the Mabalacat City government pledged P10 million for the laboratory equipment needed in the building.
Gov. Pineda said the construction of the building was also made possible through the donation of the one-hectare lot by Dr. Rolando Buan, a US-based Kapampangan surgeon and philanthropist through the coordination of Willy Tan of the Fiesta Communities.
The governor said the project aims to bring the MCC closer to the resettlement areas of Sta. Lucia, Mawaque and San Isidro.
“The construction of this building started from a simple request for a school transport. But we want to have a lasting project that will be beneficial to residents of Mabalacat City and other nearby towns,” the governor said.
During the ceremony, the City Council handed a resolution of appreciation to Gov. Pineda, Cong. Guiao, Dr. Buan and Tan who paved for the funding and erection of the building.
Mabalacat City Mayor Marino ‘Boking’ Morales for his part lauded Gov. Pineda and Cong. Guaio for making the project into a reality.
Morales said the satellite campus of MCC will be of great help to students especially the less fortunate who are relying on the projects and programs of the government.
“For the past years this place served as a sugar cane field, but today this place is a land of dreams,” Morales said.
Currently, there are 157 students at the MCC satellite campus and by the start of the next academic year the campus will be open for senior high schools who will be taking academic and technical vocational tracks, according to Carmelita Soto, president of the MCC.
Also present during the event were Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson, board members Cherry Manalo and Crisostomo Garbo, Department of Education Region 3 Director Malcolm Garma, Pampanga DepEd Superintendent Dr. Leonardo Zapanta, City Schools Superintendent Estelita Pineda, Dr. Christina Nuque of the Commission on Higher Education Region 3, capitol department heads, and other local officials.
By: Liezel Cayanan
(Photos by Jun Jaso, Pamp PIO)
