By Liway C. Manantan- Yparraguirre

OF the four cities in Pangasinan, it is only Alaminos City that does not have a big college or university. The first district is very wide yet there are no universities that could really address the educational needs of the people especially the poor.

There is a PSU campus in Infanta but it basically offers agriculture courses, I think.

This corner learned that one of the medium term development plans of the city government is to put up a city college just like Urdaneta City.

The Pangasinan State University (PSU) headed by President Victoriano Elira, on the other hand, aims to increase its enrolment by 50% by June 2008.

One of the strategies being adopted, said Elira, is the expansion or putting-up of a PSU campus in Alaminos City. The vision of the two entities jibed.

PSU’s plan to branch-out to the city is now in the drawing, I hear.

I learned that the city government is willing donate a lot in the Poblacion area to PSU. But this, of course, would need a resolution from the city council for the Deed of Donation.

With a PSU campus, the city need not really have to erect its own city college (for the meantime) saving a lot of money, but it will still realize its dream of having a university courtesy of PSU.

Dr. Elira is bullish about this project. If and when everything is ironed out between the city and PSU, he said construction will immediately start early next year in time for the school opening on June 2008.

He said part of his administration’s program is to bring quality education and affordable tuition fee closer or more accessible to the people in the first district.

Initially, they will be offering courses in agriculture and fisheries, tourism, hotel and restaurant management.

Dr. Elira assured there will be no tuition free increase at PSU (the rate is P100 per unit). “If you increase the tuition, education will beyond the reach of the poor. The intelligent ones from the low income bracket will not be given opportunity to study,” he stated.
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San Carlos City Mayor Julier ‘Ayoy’ Resuello said last Friday afternoon that his brother, Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello received a text message morning that day about an alleged bomb placed at the city hall.

The mayor, accompanied by City Police Chief Perfecto Pagador, were conducting occular inspection at the city’s slaughterhouse and livestock market when he received the call from his brother.

On-going at the Bulwagan of the city hall was the regular meeting of the Liga ng mga Barangay headed by Councilor Jose Pagsolingan.

Pagador immediately instructed Deputy Police Chief Bernardine Barbiran to conduct sweeping and clearing operation at the city hall.

“The bomb threat sowed fear among the employees and the barangay captains who were having a meeting. Although it was a bad joke, we’re glad it was a hoax,” Mayor Ayoy said.

He revealed that while they were at the slaughterhouse, they observed two vehicles suspiciously roaming the area. He was told by the police chief that the bomb threat text might be a diversionary tactic to make the police officer leave the mayor and personally check on the situation at city hall.

The text message was received around 11a.m. The clearing operation was finished at about 1p.m.

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