Manila: The new annex of the local government-run Universidad de Manila (UdM) in Tondo is expected to boost the city's efforts to provide quality tertiary education to poor but deserving students. Mayor Honey Lacuna made the assurance as she led the groundbreaking of the university's 10-story annex campus on Thursday, which would rise at the location of the Vitas Skate Park in the city's First District. The city government is looking to finish the construction of the 1,500-square-meter annex building by 2026 with a total cost of PHP400 million. Once completed, the lady mayor said the new UdM campus would accept more students, especially from Tondo, who want to avail themselves of the city's free college education with monthly allowance. The Vitas campus will have 48 classrooms, 15 multi-function rooms, and a multipurpose gymnasium. In her message, Lacuna thanked 2nd District Rep. Rolan Valeriano for allocating funds for the project despite being out of his district. "I learned that I can ask a friend fo r funds, a friend who is concerned not only about his district but for the whole Manila as well. I am not ashamed to ask for funding from people whom I know I can rely on, in terms of helping our city," she added. Lacuna, citing data provided by UdM president Dr. Felma Carlos-Tria, noted that the project would benefit the majority of the university's students who are Tondo residents. Students of UdM and another city-run university Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila receive a PHP1,000 monthly allowance from the city government. For his part, Valeriano thanked House Speaker Martin Romualdez for helping him get funding for the project, which was requested by Lacuna. 'This is both a request from a friend and an order from a mayor. We are both products of public schools. Tondo's children dreaming of getting into college. We want to make it happen, even without borrowing money," he said. Also present during the event are 2nd District Councilors Dr. Ruben Buenaventura, Macky Lacson, Uno Lim, Rod Lacsamana, Roma R obles and David Chua among others. Tria thanked Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Servo, and Valeriano for supporting the UdM, adding that the university currently has a student population of over 10,000. She said the project would help accommodate more students, as the university also holds classes at nighttime and on weekends. Source: Philippines News agency