For TESDA use Rama willing to donate prime lot

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama is willing to donate or allow the use of a city-owned property across the Asia Town I.T. Park in Barangay Lahug for the planned expansion of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Region 7 (TESDA-7).

TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva was at City Hall yesterday to discuss with Rama TESDA’s plans for Cebu City. The city has come out as an emerging area for Business Process Outsourcing.

Rama said the city has a property of over 1,000 square meters across I.T. Park right beside the main entrance of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. When facing the hotel’s main entrance, the lot is located on the right. 

Rama said the city may allow TESDA to use the property “if there will be programs for purposes of job generation and programs that will address the technical capability” of residents here, especially the youth.

Villanueva said the agency is consolidating its plans for the office and training center in Central Visayas located on a prime lot beside Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

Villanueva said the court has already confirmed the right of the agency over the property and since it stands on a prime lot, the agency intends to maximize it.

He said that the national government has appropriated P500 million for the BPO trainings and programs and Cebu City, as one of the BPO hubs, will be one of TESDA’s priority areas.

The provincial government has claimed ownership over the TESDA property and offered to relocate the center somewhere else. The province reportedly wants to use the lot for commercial purposes because its location is ideal for business or for other commercial purposes.

But several court decisions have ruled in favor of TESDA after the agency proved though a Transfer Certificate of Title that the property was donated by the province on Feb. 12, 1973 during the time of then Governor Osmundo Rama. The lot was donated to TESDA's predecessor, the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC). – (FREEMAN)