By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — The Central Philippine State University (CPSU) has named its Cauayan campus after the town’s vice mayor, but some sectors appear to be against it.
A photo of the campus’ entrance and a document with the letterhead, “Central Philippine State University Jerry M. Tabujara University Campus,” was left at the media center of the provincial capitol here.
The photo printed on a bond paper showed the right wall of the campus entrance bearing the words “Jerry M. Tabujara University Campus.”
It bore the caption, “CHANGE OF NAME. Isn’t it that the authority to change names of public institutions such as streets, buildings, parks rest on Congress? Did Congress now approve the change of CPSU Cauayan’s name [sic]?”
A message written in Hiligaynon attached with the photo stated that new identification cards will also bear the name “Jerry M. Tabujara University Campus.”
Dr. Ma. Evageline Perez, campus administrator, confirmed that only the campus was named after Vice Mayor Tabujara, not the entire university.
Perez said the campus name change “was approved by the Board of the school.”
“It is in recognition and in honor of his (Tabujara) efforts to help the CPSU Cauayan Campus,” she said.
Dr. Alfredo Maningo, CPSU president, who is based in the main campus in Kabankalan City, clarified that the university’s name was not changed.
Tabujara’s name was placed on the right wall of the campus’ main entrance “to honor his numerous contributions to the school,” he said.
Maningo said he finds no issue in it. He said that perhaps Tabujara’s political opponents were making it a big deal.
Tabujara said he knew that his name was placed on the main entrance’s wall but not with the word “university” after it.
He said a Cauayan resident, whom he identified as Raymund Agbay, was behind the issue.
Perez said the people should not dwell on this “petty issue.” They should instead help the campus, which needs more facilities, including classrooms, she said.
“If they (could) help us, we will put their names on the buildings, too,” Perez said.
Ask for comment, Commission on Higher Education assistant regional director Rex Casiple said in a text message, “Please inform the parents and students of CPSU to write us. We will present your query to CPSU board [sic].”/PN
