The local government unit-funded Tagbilaran City College is initially set to open in June this year as its facilities have reached partial completion, said City Administrator Leonides Borja.

According to Borja, the city government is now awaiting permits for the college to operate while potential administrators of the school have been sent to Manila for training.

“Hopefully by June or July mo-open ta, kung mo gawas na tong tanang permit. Naa pud tay mga taw na gipada’g Manila ron kay gipa-training sila,” said Borja.

He however noted that the school which is located in Barangay Dampas will first undergo a “soft opening” and only offer limited courses.

“Dili sa gud bongga, ngana mana kung magsugod mga pila sa ka courses,” he added.

Maximo C. Aljibe, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 7 director, described the city government as “hell bent” in acquiring all the necessary permits for the college to start operations during the next school year.

“I went to the City Hall and they were saying, ‘sir ganito, we are really hell bent on really complying with all the requirements so we could open up our classes by June,” he said.

So far, the first floor of the initially planned four-story building has been completed.

“I think they are on their way of getting the nod of CHED, pero meron pa kaming mga kailangan e-require sa kanila such as yung faculty complement nila. So far as infrastructure requirements are concerned, maganda ang building nila na nagawa for the proposed Tagbilaran College,” he said.

It was earlier noted that the college will primarily offer technical-vocational courses and select four-year undergraduate degree programs to deserving underprivileged students . (A. Doydora)