CNU-Medellin produces first batch of graduates

CEBU, Philippines - After having berated by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia last year for not implementing her Expanded Greening With Our Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) program, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez recently earned praises from the governor not only for the fruit-bearing trees already planted along the highway but most importantly because of the success of the local government unit in operating a branch of the Cebu Normal University.

Garcia noticed last Tuesday the transformation of Medellin when she visited the town to grace the first commencement exercises of the CNU-Medellin campus.

The governor lauded the municipal officials for taking the “brave” move in asking the CNU to put up a campus in Medellin. The CNU campus in the said town started during the administration of then mayor Manreza Lim. Ramirez was vice mayor then.

The municipality allocated P8 million every year from its general fund to defray the salaries of the needed personnel, maintenance and other operating expenses.

“The municipality took a great lead of faith believing that it was the right thing to do in order to give you and so many others the opportunity to earn a college degree,” Garcia said before the first batch of 119 graduates of education and computer courses.

Garcia said that since the past four years, Ramirez and the municipality “look with concerned eyes at the balance sheet which by the figure show exactly how heavy the burden this can be to continue to see to it that CNU-Medellin will continue to offer the opportunity of education to our youth.”

“But beyond the balance sheet, today this morning, I wish to congratulate the municipality of Medellin led by Mayor Ricky Ramirez because beyond the balance sheet, I see the balance of hope reflected in each of our 119 graduates’ faces,” she said.

Garcia also commended Ramirez and the rest of the town officials as well as the barangay officials for transforming the municipality since her last visit in December.

Garcia earlier scolded Ramirez for not implementing the E-Gwen program. The incident snapped Ramirez and the town officials into action and took the challenge.

Garcia noticed the big changes most notably the clean and well-groomed highways in the barangays.

“Daku kaayo ang deperensiya (the difference is really big), I really wish to congratulate kay nakita gyud ang effort,” Garcia said.

Ramirez assured that the Katubhan Festival of Medellin will be participating the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo for the first time in August not just for compliance but to win.

He is also assured of getting into the top 20 LGUS for the eGwen program and get one unit of Coaster van from the Capitol. — (FREEMAN)