NEWS BRIEFS

Mandaue projects to be completed in August

THE drainage and asphalting project along a national road in barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, is projected to be completed by August.
This after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) denied allegations that it will abandon the project in Cebu North Hagnaya wharf road from Innodata in barangay Subangdaku heading to barangay Tipolo near San Miguel Corp.
Engr. Myrna Dela Cerna, of the DPWH 6th district said the P39 million project wasn’t suspended since the 600 meters drainage project needs to be done first before it is overlaid with three-inch thick asphalt.
She said the old culvert measuring 24 inches in diameter was raised to 36 inches since the drainage system is 600 meters long. “The rainy weather also delayed its completion,” dela Cerna said.
Dela Cerna said they are now finishing the curve and sidewalk after all new culverts were in place. The project was awarded to Duros Development Corp. in Jan. 23.
“We’re asking the riding public to bear with us a little longer. We’re prioritizing the asphalting over the drainage project,” she said. / Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos

Lapu-LAPU city college prexy probed for fund collection

THE Lapu-Lapu City Council investigated the president of the Lapu-Lapu City College over the collection of over half-million from students without receipts.
In its audit memorandum, the Commisson of Audit (COA) said Dr. Tomas Ramos ordered the collection of P503,800.00 without authority from the school’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Cortes also didn’t issue official receipts and failed to report and remit the amount to the City Treasurer’s Office.
In his explanation, Ramos justified the collection, claiming these are “private funds.”
“The funds belong to the student body, an entity separate and distinct from the city college or the city government,” he said.
But Councilor Eduardo Cuizon said Ramos may still be answerable for collecting fees without issuing official receipts.
He said he would press further investigation on the issue. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza

Lapu-LAPU aviation school operating without permit

STUDENTS and teachers of Sun Eagle Aviation in barangay Basak in Lapu-Lapu City were alarmed after learning that the school doesn’t have a permit from the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The school started accepting students for aviation-related courses, tourism, and education April this year.
It opened classes last June 18 with 16 faculty members for college and high school.
“They announced that classes from July 11 to July 18 will be suspended as the management will try to fix some problems,” said Gary Dwayne Ponce, one of their college students. The teachers also claim they have not received their salaries yet.
Faculty member Quirino Amarillo said the school management is currently processing the permits from DepEd and Ched. / Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla