Cabanlas comm backs City College President’s salary grade

Following discussions with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the City Council committee on laws and rules, chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, has affirmed its support for the Salary Grade (SG) 29 level of the City College of Cagayan de Oro’s president.

DBM Chief Budget and Management Specialist Gloria A. Kionisala clarified that, under Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 19, Series of 1992, a local college or university (LCU) is structurally distinct from a local government unit (LGU) and operates as a separate entity.

She noted that staffing for LCUs follows Local Budget Circular (LBC) No. 4D, No. 53, and Chapter 9 of the DBM’s manual on position classification and compensation.

She also cited CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, Series of 2022, which outlines the stringent qualifications for a college president.

“Since city colleges are under CHED oversight, the qualifications for a president are strict. However, if appointing a president with SG 29 is not feasible, the position may instead be designated as College Administrator, which carries an SG of 25,” Kionisala explained.

Engr. Elmer C. Lopez, CHED representative, added that while state universities and colleges (SUCs) have different leveling classifications based on evaluation, local colleges do not.

Under CHED’s Institutional Recognition (IR) policy, the governance of a local college depends on the approved ordinance, designating either a president or an administrator. He emphasized that salary structures must adhere to established policies such as the IOS.

“With the explanation justifying the salary grade of our City College president, this will be included in the agenda this Monday. We fully support this since the budget has already been reviewed and approved by the DBM for 2025 and the ordinance has been enacted,” Cabanlas remarked.

“However, this is an advance request to the president: Do your job, (because) we will be watching you,” Cabanlas concluded. (JAOclarit/SP)