AS part of its thrust to provide quality education to its constituents, the local government of Valenzuela opened last Friday the P361.6-million Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) campus along Tongco Street in Barangay Maysan.
“This new campus is designed to make the students globally competitive, and in the long run, to accommodate 10,000 Valenzuelano youth who are seeking quality, yet affordable, tertiary education,” Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian said.
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, former Valenzuela chief executive and proponent of the nationwide Free Higher Education Act, praised the city government for the inauguration of the new campus.
“Since my time as mayor of the city, we had envisioned a world-class university because we always believe that our youth is the hope of this city and nation,” the senator said during the opening ceremony.
Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles of the First District of Davao City, who also graced the event, congratulated the local government for yet another educational milestone. He said the local government has invested a lot in order to raise the bar of excellence and standard of public tertiary education in the country.
“This university is undoubtedly on a par with what private learning institutions have to offer,” he added.
The 1.7-hectare modern campus is comprised of three Western Mediterranean-inspired buildings with a total floor area of 16,305.15 square meters at a cost P22,175.48 per sq m.
It features high-tech amenities, such as the laboratories for mechanical, electrical and electronics and communications engineering; information and communications technology; materials testing; fluid mechanics; chemistry; physics; and speech communication.
It also boasts of a library with audio-visual room, lecture rooms and student’s lounge.
Even before the signing of the Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Valenzuela City has already implemented in October 2016 the full subsidy on tuition fee and miscellaneous fees, including school identification card, medical, newsletter, handbook, laboratory, sports, multimedia and guidance and counseling fees in its public tertiary institutions, such as the PLV and the Valenzuela City Polytechnic College.
Launched alongside the new campus is the PLV World card, which is radio frequency identification-enabled, for students’ access to experience the school’s top-notch amenities.
Likewise, it will serve as the students pass to enter the campus. Once they are tapped, the students’ parents or guardian are notified through a text message whether they went in or out of the campus.
What’s more, the PLV World card allows them to obtain their online university records, class schedules and university advisories, as well as get discount to merchants inside and outside of the campus.
Another highlight was the unveiling of the restored Eduardo Castrillo sculpture, which now serves as the campus’s symbol of pride on its maxim of academic excellence.
Nograles lauded the city and university officials in their commitment to provide the students with cutting-edge facilities that will hone their skills and knowledge.
Opened in June 2002, the PLV is a state-funded institution that initially catered to 500 students. It now enlisted over 5,000 students, including senior high-school learners.
To accommodate more underprivileged yet deserving students, Senator Gatchalian also pledged for the additional funding for the construction of the building of College of Education.
Mayor Gatchalian envisioned PLV as a truly world-class university with a productive, competitive and decent students and work force.