Catbalogan City – Samar State University’s (SSU) completion of the gymnasium formally commenced during its Ground Breaking Ceremony held at Maceda Gymnasium, July 4.
Having awarded the PhP64-million gym completion to EM Paule Construction and Trading under RMR Group of Companies, the ceremony officially kicked off around 10 AM. This was participated by Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan, City Mayor of Catbalogan; Mr. Roland M. Roque, EM Paule Construction and Trading Vice-President for Visayas; Mr. Michael Rodrigo I. Mondoy, Manager of DBP Catbalogan; Dr. Ronald Orale, Vice-President for Planning, Research and Extension; campus directors, deans, faculty and selected students from different colleges; unit heads; faculty and student regents; and EM Paule Construction and Trading staff.
On behalf of the University President Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso, Dr. Orale opened the event by imparting how the gym has been envisioned as a “venue of very important events” in SSU and, generally, in Samar.
He was thankful to the former university presidents for their plans on the gym’s completion ever since its construction more than two decades ago. Dr. Orale stressed the importance of the completion through people’s impression of the unfinished gym and by quoting the remarks of Dr. Emerlinda Roman, the former UP System President, during the selection of the new SSU president in 2015.
He attributed the completion phase of the gym to the Regional Development Council, the Philippine government, and to Dr. Cardoso, finally ending the long wait.
As a response through his message, Mr. Roque aspired for the urgent completion of the gym.
“For the strict implementation, you can rest assured na masasagawa po natin ito at matatapos sa (that we will build this and finish it in) December 2017,” said Mr. Roque. He also has pledged to help SSU in its development, with their resources and their influences.
The messages were followed by the Rite of Blessing led by Rev. Father Guillermo Aloro. The Laying of Cornerstone/Ground Breaking Rites was preceded by Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan, Mr. Roque, Fr. Aloro, Mr. Mondoy, Dr. Orale, Engr. Jerome T. Valencia of EM Paule Construction and Trading, Dr. Bonifacio Villanueva, Engr. Wella Yangzon, Mr. Jesus Racuyal, Dr. Esteban Malindog, Mr. Arthur Poblete, Mr. Randy Pacadaljen, Dr. Gina Españo, Dr. Lydia Gonzales, Dr. Victoria Tafalla, Dr. Florabelle Patosa, Dr. Ponciano Macapañas, Dr. Tomas Bañez, Mr. Jose Panganoron, and Engr. April Cathy Manota.
During the Ground Breaking Rites, twenty golden shovels and white hardhats were used. The ceremony was sealed with photo opportunities on the cornerstone. This was followed by lunch courtesy of EM Paule Construction and Trading.
