The local government of Dumaguete City has finalized an agreement to acquire the former Catherina Cittadini-St. Louis School (CC-SLS) for P175 million to address overcrowding and improve facilities at two public elementary schools.

This move will benefit around 800 students currently enrolled at Central Elementary School (CCES) and Calindagan Elementary School (CALES). 

The city government previously owned the buildings used by CCES, but renovations were on hold because they were on the Department of Education (DepEd) property.

“We cannot just immediately transfer the site for the CCES as it has to go through a process. We forwarded the letter to the DepEd Region 7 (Central Visayas) office for guidance and action,” said Dr. Juditha Mapue, chief of the curriculum implementation department of the City Schools Division.

Mayor Felipe Antonio B. Remollo said moving the public elementary schools will allow the city to use the school’s current buildings at the city hall complex.

The 1.8-hectare Cittadini property includes more than a dozen buildings, a gymnasium, laboratories, a cafeteria, a chapel, a road network with parking, a playground, a dormitory, and a grotto. 

These facilities are expected to provide a significantly improved learning environment for students.

“With the acquisition of the Cittadini property, the students and teachers of the two public elementary schools will now have better facilities and safer campuses conducive to learning and sports development,” Mayor Remollo’s official announcement said.

The acquisition was met with positive reactions from parents, teachers, and DepEd officials. 

They expressed gratitude to Mayor Remollo and other city officials for prioritizing the purchase, especially considering the deteriorating condition of classrooms at CCES and CALES.

Finalization of the agreement comes after Mayor Remollo recently inspected the CC-SLS premises. 

The private school, which offered elementary and high school education for over 30 years, ceased operations this academic year.

A use-rights agreement between the local government and the DepEd is still needed. Once finalized, DepEd will be responsible for managing and protecting the property.