House starts talks on TCC conversion

CEBU, Philippines - A congressional deliberation seeking to convert the Talisay City College into a state college is now underway in the House of Representatives.

Cebu first district and House assistant majority floor leader Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas said the technical working group of the Committee on Technical and Higher Education has already started discussing the planned conversion.

Gullas, who presided the meeting as vice-chairman of the Committee on Technical and Higher Education, said yesterday there is a need for an amendatory bill for TCC to become a state college because the school has failed to comply with some requirements.

The TCC reportedly failed to comply with some requirements mandated under Republic Act 10594 or the law converting a local college into a state college.

RA 10594 is a bill that established the Talisay City College.

One of the requirements that the TCC lacks is Level 3 accreditation for some of its programs, said Gullas.

Based on the law's provisions, TCC needs Level 3 accreditation for at least four of its undergraduate programs, one in liberal arts, one in the sciences and two of its graduate programs before it may be converted into a state college.

Gullas said he will amend RA 10594, particularly the provision requiring TCC to acquire Level 3 accreditation for its programs.

Another amendatory bill, according to Gullas, will be the amendment of the title of the bill. "It should be converting or absorbing Talisay City College to Talisay State College," Gullas said.

According to Gullas, if this is accomplished, Talisay will no longer have to appropriate funds for the operation and salaries of TCC because this will be shouldered by the national government.  (FREEMAN)