The West Visayas State University (WVSU) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the P800-million twin four-story College of Law (COL) building, each valued at P400 million, near the Alumni Center, January 25.

WVSU President Joselito Villaruz said that the funding for these structures will be derived from the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

 

“For the past years, we have had no capital outlay insertion in the budget… And for the first time, she (the First Lady) facilitated the insertion of P400 million for the COL building with the help of Speaker Martin Romualdez,” said Villaruz.

“And just this year for the 2024 budget we have another 400 million insertion for the package 2 of the building. So, there will be two buildings that will be built for the COL,” he added.

 

The planned four-level structure that is set to increase the intake of students has a total floor area of 3,456 square meters with each floor spanning 864 square meters.

 

Commission on Higher Education Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III revealed that the Legal Education Board (LEB) is mandating law schools to establish a dedicated building, as part of new regulations.

“The WVSU-COL building will do two things. [First], it will start complying with the LEB and [second], it will allow the law school to increase its student population,” said de Vera III.

 

Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel of the Department of Public Works and Highways Region VI disclosed the key features of the upcoming establishment, which will include fully air-conditioned classrooms.

The new building is also set to house an auditorium, a prayer room, designated faculty areas, a conference space, a library, the Journal for Law Advocacy Office, a legal clinic, an arbitration room, and two moot courts.

The facade of the said building will integrate elements from the Quezon Hall, emphasizing its historical significance.

First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos served as the guest of honor for the event. She is currently a faculty of the COL and is teaching second-year Juris Doctor students.

 

Among the other key officials of the government present at the ceremony were Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Cong. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Uswag Ilonggo Rep. Jojo Ang, WVSU administration officials, and higher figures from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

WVSU is the only state university in Western Visayas that offers a Juris Doctor program.

 

Story by Timothy James Sampang

Photos by Franz Chrysler Marie Delgado and Rogie Ken Villarin