CNU needs P19.7 M to fix quake-hit buildings

The president of Cebu Normal University (CNU) sought the help of the Cebu City government to repair five of their buildings that were damaged by the Oct. 15 earthquake.
However, this isn’t a high priority for City Hall.
CNU president Marcelo Lopez said they need P19.7 million to repair  buildings occupied by the College Teachers Education, the College of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences, Applied Science Academics and university library.
His request in a  Nov. 14 letter to Vice Mayor Edgar Labella was  included in the Cebu City Council’s agenda last Wednesday.
Financial constraints
Mayor Michael Rama said while he recognizes the need to repair “historically embedded buildings”, the city is facing financial constraints.
“We still have to build our own hospital,” he said, referring to the closure of the 300-bed Cebu City Medical Center which he wants replaced with a 1,000-bed modern hospital.
Once he receives a copy of Lopez’s letter, Rama said he will suggest that CNU ask the National Historical Commission for help.
Rama yesterday said CNU is funded by the national government and  that building repair must be included in their budget.
“If the city has money, I will not hesitate to help. Their building should maintain its heritage value,” Rama said.
Personnel from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) inspected the 15 buildings in the CNU campus along Osmeña Boulevard last Oct. 18.
The  Teachers Building was declared unfit for occupancy by City Hall structural engineers while  four other buildings need repair.
About P9.8 million is needed to repair the College Teachers Education building and P4 million for the library.
About P3.7 million will be spent to repair the College of Nursing building, P1.3 million for the College of Arts and Sciences and P0.9 million for Applied Science Academics. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac