USM Holds Turnover Ceremony for 21-Million-Peso Academic Building

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) celebrated the turnover of a new academic building, built under a 21-million-peso contract, on December 26, 2024, at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

Conceptualized in 2021, the building marks Phase 1 of a larger initiative and will house eight classrooms to cater to the growing academic needs of the university, especially for general education. Key stakeholders, including the University Infrastructure Project Management and Evaluation Team (UIPMET), the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), and the Financial Management Services (FMS) Director, attended the event. Contractor Engr. Thelmo Bulquerin, who led the project’s construction, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you sa lahat ng tumulong sa akin for this.”

During the ceremony, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Eimer Estilloso, announced an additional project funded through savings from the original contract. The administration will allocate 3 million pesos for site development to enhance the building’s surroundings. “We are maximizing the funds for the benefit and services of our students,” the VPAF emphasized, encouraging the community to care for the new facility. “Sana alagaan niyo tong building na ito,” he added, highlighting the legacy left for future generations.

Dr. Marlyn A. Resurreccion, the dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in the project, including the former dean of CASS and now the current Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Marcos Monderin. President Francisco Gil N. Garcia was specially acknowledged for his unwavering support to the USM community, which was instrumental in realizing the building’s completion.