City Councilor Joyleen Mercedes “Girlie” Balaba has called for the preservation of the Searsolin Building located within the Xavier University Manresa campus in Cagayan de Oro City, even as Cebu Landmasters Inc. continues its “Campus of the Future” project.
In her report to the City Council, Balaba noted that several alumni oppose the project, citing the historical, educational, and social significance of the structure. Built in 1964, the Searsolin Building played a vital role in training rural development leaders across Asia, Africa, and Oceania, and forms part of the legacy of Fr. William Masterson, SJ.
The council suggested exploring options such as preservation, conservation, adaptive reuse, or possible demolition, depending on the outcome of upcoming hearings.
A joint hearing is expected to be conducted by the tourism and agriculture committees, with Cebu Landmasters and Xavier University invited to present their positions on the issue.
