■ FIRST PUBLIC STUDY CENTER OPENS IN CEBU CITY'S PARDO MARKET

Medical technologist Elaine Tabura, who is pursuing a degree in medicine, has been burning the midnight oil and spending heaps of money on caffeine in coffee shops. It wasn’t until the recent conversion of the Cebu City Public Library into a 24/7 facility that Tabura found herself a better study center.

But while she appreciates the comfort she has found in her new study center, Tabura would still want to have the same facility closer to her home, approximately 6.6 kilometers from the library on Osmeña Blvd.

This wish came true yesterday as the Cebu City Government formally opened the first public study center in the city.

A+ Study Center, located on the second floor of Pardo Public Market, will operate 24/7 and has a seating capacity of over 100.

“It is really convenient because it is nearer (than the library). Hopefully daghan pang muopen (many others will open),” Tabura said.

The establishment of the study center was initiated by Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Councilor Joy Augustus Young. Young, deputy mayor for education, said this is just the first of many study centers in the city that are targeted to be operational in June, when classes open. The other areas being prepared for 24/7 operations are the upper levels of the markets in Barangays Cogon Ramos and T. Padilla, and the barangay hall in Mabolo.

Young is also checking for available Cityowned spaces in Barangays Labangon, Guadalupe and Talamban to establish branches of A+ Study Center.

For now, the councilor said the one in Pardo will serve as the model for other study centers soon to operate in the city.

It will be supervised by Pardo Barangay Councilor Manolita “Litang” Abarquez. Half of the area, though, will be temporarily occupied by personnel of the barangay health center while their building is still being constructed.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, for her part, said several benefactors have already pledged support for the amenities and renovations for all the study centers soon to launch.

In response, Grade 9 student Raphael James Bullecer thanked the City for the “unwavering support and making the youth a priority.”