The local government of La Paz entered into a usufruct agreement with Tarlac State University this morning (August 29) for the construction of an additional building as an expansion of the TSU La Paz Campus in Brgy. San Isidro.
La Paz town mayor Venustiano Jordan and TSU President Dr. Arnold Velasco signed the 25-year agreement at the Engineering AVR with town councilor Robert Mananquil, Office of the Mayor consultant Mr. Fernando Flaminiano, and university vice presidents Dr. Agnes Macaraeg and Dr. Grace Rosete as witnesses.
As the usufructuary, TSU shall implement the plans to add a building with six classrooms to accommodate more students on the said campus.
Per the agreement, the university shall maintain proper infrastructures, perimeter fences, and facilities to make the campus "sustainable and viable for use."
Mayor Jordan and Pres. Velasco shares the same vision for the La Paz campus: bringing tertiary education closer to the town's youth.
"When I got elected, that was 2019, one of the first thing[s] we did was talk to then [TSU] president Myrna Mallari. 'Yun ang unang-unang ginawa ko nang bumisita kami dito sa office niya. Ngayon, it so happened na 'yung dream namin na magkaroon na magkaroon ng campus sa La Paz naging totoo na," Mayor Jordan said.
"Kaya last time, we signed another [agreement] sa La Paz and ito, 'yung sa extension ng campus. We guarantee, Mr. President (Dr. Velasco), our full support dito sa project na ito dahil ang gusto namin 'yung education ng mga bata ay maibigay namin, kasama ang aming kagawad na si (Robert) Mananquil," he added.
The town mayor also shared that the shuttle bus designated to ferry the TSU students and faculty members to and from the Main Campus and La Paz town proper will soon be available.
In a welcome address, Pres. Velasco highlighted that the partnership will bring more opportunities to the La Paz town residents.
"It's really a very significant day for us po to [have] this agreement because this will be of great help, particularly for the hope of the nation – the youth. Ang mga kabataan po ang makikinabang dito (partnership)," Pres. Velasco said.
"Napakagandang pamana po (education) that we can give to our youth, assuring them that they will be finishing their desired degrees, which will be of great help for their future, not only for them but their families," he further said.
Moreover, Councilor Mananquil also expressed his support for the project, noting that the additional infrastructure would mean more programs could be offered at the La Paz Campus.
"Kami po ni mayor, hanggang nanunungkulan kami, hindi lang po siguro two courses (Public Administration and Elementary Education), hopefully, in the future, madagdagan dahil may mga kasamahan naman po tayo at kaibigan na willing tumulong para madagdagan din po ang infra o school building ng TSU La Paz," he said.
The funding for the future building is a GAA insertion from Senator Sonny Angara. TSU's Office of Facilities Development and Management eyes to complete the infrastructure in 2024.
