Leyte province formally turned over donated lot to LNU

By Provincial Media Relations Center
October 9, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  About P2 billion worth of real property was formally donated by the provincial government of Leyte to the region’s premiere university – the Leyte Normal University – 89 years after being under usufruct.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla led the turn over Wednesday of the 80,000 square meters property that consists of 21 lots that belonged to the provincial government and now formally given to LNU. The properties house the more or less 24 buildings of the university including the area along Youngfield district where the university dormitory is located.

In his turn-over speech, the governor said this act by the province reflects the intent of his administration to give importance to education.

It is recognized in the region, he stressed, that LNU is a “premiere university” that has produced quality graduates and committed professionals in the fields of education, hotel and restaurant management, communication and other courses.

Considering the appraisal of the commercial value of the lot estimated to be about P2 billion, the provincial government he added, has given more weight to the value of education that the university can provide more than the financial gain the province can earn from the said property.

The resolution donating the 80,000 square meter property penned by the Provincial Board was started in March 2008 until its recent approval.

Meanwhile, LNU President Dr. Evelyn Cruzada said they could finally lay claim to the property and have the 12 lots titled as mandated of them by the Commission on Audit.

“We are very, very thankful to Gov. Petilla, himself an alumnus of the school, for finally donating this lot to the university. We would forever be grateful,” Dr. Cruzada said in her acceptance speech.

It was likewise learned that LNU, for its part, would support the province in its commitment to the people of providing “social services” particularly education.

According to Mr. Pablo Amascual III, LNU Chief Administrative Officer, the university has provided scholarships for deserving students coming from the province of Leyte. Each of the board members were given 5 slots each for the scholarship grants and 10 slots for the governor and vice-governor.

“These scholarships are already filled up and the scholars are presently enrolled in various courses in the university,” Mr. Amascual said.

University officials likewise described the turn-over of the donated lot as “timely” as the school would celebrate its 90th founding anniversary in 2011.