CHED takes over TCC management

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education – 7 will take over the management of the controversial Talisay City College until such time that the issue concerning the school’s president is resolved.

The TCC Board of Trustees is supporting acting pre-sident Ritchel Bacaltos but Talisay Mayor Johnny De los Reyes has appointed Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete to the post.

Since then, the college has been caught in the middle of a tug of war, including its graduation rites and enrolment.

However, in a closed-door meeting at the CHED office, the BOT members decided unanimously to let CHED take over. The body believes the current dilemma can only be resolved if CHED takes over the affairs of the school.

In effect, CHED Regional Director Freddie Bernal will sit as officer-in-charge of the college.

The meeting yesterday was presided over by De los Reyes who sits as chairman of the board.

The TCC board has 11 members with the mayor as chairman, the college president as vice chairman, Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas as honorary member and Talisay City District Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo as board secretary.

The present members of the board are the chairman of the committee on education, the chairman of the committee on budget and finance, the president of Cebu Normal University, the president of Cebu Technological University, the regional director of CHED, the city treasurer, and the president of the Talisay Chamber of Commerce.

Except for the presidents of CNU and CTU president, all the other members were present in yesterday’s meeting.

“Since time immemorial, I have said that I will abide whatever decision of the Board of  Trustees is. The decision of the BOT is for CHED to take over in running the school, then I will abide,” Bacaltos told The FREEMAN.

Bacaltos, who also sits as vice chairman of the college, was present in the meeting.

With classes resuming next week, Bacaltos said the decision of the BOT is timely. This way, possible academic issues can be prevented.

Before the decision was made, the board approved the minutes of its previous meeting, including its reaffirmation of Bacaltos’ appointment and its decision to set aside De los Reyes’ executive order, which formalized Cañete’s appointment.

A source told The FREEMAN that De los Reyes reiterated his choice for president but the board members reportedly reminded him that only the BOT as a whole can make an appointment, as provided for by a city ordinance.

“There was a negotiation. Mi-insist man gyud ang mayor nga si Cañete iyang gitudlo pero ang BOT insisted to recognize Ritchel Bacaltos as the city college acting president,” the source said.

Bacaltos reportedly did not say anything during the meeting.

After the meeting, Bacaltos confirmed an agreement was reached.

“The only way nga dili magsamok-samok na si Cañete is ako pud ma-out sa city college. I did not object because the BOT decided that CHED will take over,” Bacaltos said.

As part of the agreement, De los Reyes said he will revoke the executive order he issued, which formalized Cañete’s appointment. 

Bernal said the school board will activate a “search committee” and will set guidelines in looking for a new college president. — /JMO (FREEMAN)