Davao City speeds up upgrade of City College temporary site

The City Government of Davao is speeding up the repair and retrofitting of the facilities of the City College of Davao (CCD) at its temporary site to obtain a license to operate from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and open classes for the first batch of students in August 2022.

In an interview with Byaheng Do30 Tuesday, Dr. Wenefredo Cagape, the OIC-President of the CCD, said that they are only waiting for the completion of the repair and retrofitting of the classrooms at the Mindanao Christian Foundation College & Seminary, Inc. in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño. The Mindanao Christian Foundation College & Seminary, Inc. is the temporary site for the CCD. 

“So far, sa atong City College naa nata sa 85 percent ang atoang compliance, ongoing ang repair and retrofitting sa atong location. Daghan ang mga tauhan sa City Engineers naa sa area. Even on Saturdays, they are working para mapadali ang pagtrabaho (So far we are at 85 percent compliance for our City College. The repair and retrofitting of our location are ongoing. Personnel from the City Engineers Office (CEO) are in the area, they are even working during Saturdays to fast track the work),” Cagape said.

Cagape said that the repair and retrofitting is the only requirement they need to complete. The CCD Secretariat is already done with the documentary requirements.

“Ang location is really needed because the CHED Manila will come here in Davao to inspect and evaluate the preparedness and readiness of the City College of Davao before they are going to approve the permit to operate,” he said.

Cagape said that a budget of Php 9.8 million has been allocated for the repair and retrofitting of 14 existing spacious classrooms and other facilities such as offices, laboratories, and many more. The CCD aims to cater to a total of 1,000 students in the first batch. A blended learning modality is also planned to accommodate all students.

Cagape said that CCD aims to offer a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Education Major in Computer Programming, Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BS Entrep).

He said that based on the ordinance, the priority students for admission are from low income (with Php6,000 below an annual income of parents), Indigenous People (IP) learners, working students, students from Alternative Learning System (ALS), and students from Late Afternoon Program (LAP).

Cagape said that job posting for the hiring of 50 plantilla positions – 40 teachers and 10 non-teaching personnel is done. Their appointments will be approved by the CCD President, who will be appointed in July 2022. He added that this is only the initial number as they will hire more teachers in the future.

“Wala pa ta’y interview kay ang interview mahimutang sa July after mapirmahan ang appointment sa OIC-President. Nagbaha ang atong aplikante but we make sure nga ang atoang dawaton based on merit and fitness talaga, ug qualified for the job (We have not conducted interviews because it is set on July after the appointment of the OIC President. We have many applicants but we will make sure that those accepted are based on merit, fitness, and qualified for the job),” he said.

Cagape was also thankful to Mayor Inday Sara Duterte for the Davao City College as a “lifetime legacy to all Dabawenyos” to give chance to the students who cannot afford to pursue college.

“We have existing schools but (the students) they cannot afford to enroll because of tuition fees. We have USEP and UP but they cannot simply go there because of the admission policies. Here in Davao City College everyone is accepted and admitted even those with a grade of 75,” Cagape added.

Cagape assured those who want to enroll in the City College of Davao, that the Secretariat and the city government agencies are doing their best to push for the operation this incoming school year.

“We still do not have the schedule for enrolment since there is no approval from CHED yet. We will post the announcement on our Facebook Page to let you know about the enrollment. We will try our best to finish all the requirements before we can accept your children to enroll in the City College of Davao,” Cagape said. CIO