New CEAT building construction to finish by next AY

After two years since the demolition of the previous College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) building, the construction of the new CEAT building has commenced, beginning with its groundbreaking ceremony held on October 18, and expected to be completed before the start of the next academic year (AY) 2019-2020, according to CEAT Laboratory Supervisor Engr. Edgardo Alasco.

“Ang pangako nila (contractors) is baka bago magpasukan ng new school year: school year 2019-2020,” Alasco said.

The construction committee in charge of assuring the quality and maintaining the structural integrity of the building is headed by Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Deodoro Abiog II and comprised of representatives from the Buildings and Facilities Management Office (BFMO), CEAT Dean Engr. Rizaldy De Armas and Engr. Edgardo Alasco from CEAT, hired project manager Eric Yusinco, and contractor Teodoro Construction Corp.

In February of AY 2011 – 2012, former Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Epifania Anfone ordered the academic community to vacate the previous CEAT building after technical consultants deemed the previous CEAT building ‘structurally unfit.’

CEAT construction committee representative Alasco added that “we (admin) learned from past experiences,” referring to the old CEAT building, assuring there will be ‘no structural problems’ in the new building.

Following the Hispanic theme of the University, designed by the Nazareno Guerrero Consultants, the new building shall be constructed with eight stories, with the three lower ground floors allotted for laboratory rooms, ground floor for CEAT administration offices, exhibition rooms, and chapel, with the second to fifth floors for lecture rooms, as per Alasco.

“First lower ground [floors] … [are] exclusive for ME (Mechanical Engineering), CE (Civil Engineer), tsaka IE (Industrial Engineering) ‘yon. And then ‘yong ground floor natin will be mga administration offices … And then from second up, bale eight floors lahat, up to fifth floor is … para sa ECE (Electronics and Communications Engineering), CPE (Computer Engineering), EE (Electrical Engineering), Architecture, BGM—multimedia,” Alasco said. “’Yong layout, almost the same do’n sa old building natin.”

Alasco added that the new building will utilize an VRF air-conditioning sytem, comprising several units in one condensing system, which is ‘more economical’ compared with the window-type previously utilized. Moreover, Wi-Fi routers and CCTVs will be installed within the hallways and laboratory rooms in the building, along with three elevators accessible for the students.

“Halos lahat yata ng program may mga computer lab na exclusive for each particular program,” Alasco furthered pertaining to the laboratory needs of programs under the college which shall be provided with internet access.

As of press time, the concrete pouring for the foundation of the building has initiated, as per BFMO Director Arch. Dennis Pontanilla. Moreover, CEAT shall occupy the new building before the start of AY 2019-2020, according to Alasco. “Kung ang pasukan natin is August, baka by July nasa stage na tayo ng preparation, ibig sabihin ‘non pwede na lumipat, nandoon na ‘yong mga gamit, siguro by June – July.”