December 2021 BUzzette

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DECEMBER 2021 | Vol. XIII Issue 12 ISSN 2094-3991 Bicol University, Legazpi City Telefax No. (052) 480-0167

PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

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BUzzette AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

BU to offer Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program next A.Y.

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efore we get lost in the frenzy of lastminute Christmas shopping, and frantic preparations for our noche buena, let me greet each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

2021 has been a year of challenges and opportunities for Bicol University. With the COVID-19 pandemic still restricting faceto-face classes and mass gathering, the past months have shown that flexibility, adaptability, and innovation are crucial in ensuring the successful operation of any academic institution.

In the face of unprecedented changes upending the established order, we at Bicol University have adapted and thrived in the “new normal” by putting in place strategic measures, and implementing new policies and guidelines that allowed us to navigate our COVID-19 environment without sacrificing our commitment to academic excellence.

As you all very well know, at the heart of Bicol University’s programs and initiatives is the desire to ensure the safety and protection of the BU personnel amid the global health crisis that has already claimed millions of lives worldwide.

As we prepare to take on a new year, may we build on our 2021 milestones to jumpstart the year 2022 with so much optimism, passion, and hope. May our accomplishments in 2021 further fortify our collective resolve to “make the best better” by never wavering on our commitment to provide quality Pres Outbox | P7

uring the initial deliberation, the Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE), headed by Congressman Mark Go, approved House Bill 10203 or an Act Establishing a College of Veterinary Medicine in Bicol University in the City of Ligao, Province of Albay to be Known as the Bicol University College of Veterinary Medicine and appropriating funds thereof.

Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero made the motion, which was appropriately seconded by Cong.

Salceda and Bordado.

The CHTE approved the aforementioned bill and its Committee Report as stated in a Facebook post of Cong.

Didi Cabredo.

Prior to the approval, endorsements from Bicol

News | P3

Feature | P4-5

Mascariñas inspects proposed site of BU College of Veterinary Medicine Bldg.

Paskuhan sa BU commences ceremonial Christmas lighting held

University President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, CHED Region 5 Director Freddie Bernal, and PASUC President Tirso Ronquillo has been accepted by the committee.

In support of the program, the Local Government of Ligao will provide a onehectare land to the university for the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine campus.

According to Mascariñas, BU will still push through and offer Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program this 2022 while waiting for the congress’s approval. It can also be recalled that BU will also begin offering Doctor of Dental Medicine program next academic year. The university will start releasing updates and more information regarding these new programs.

BUzzette | P7 DSWD V forges partnership with BU to promote job opportunities

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The BUzzette

NEWS

Gift-giving - Job orders of Bicol University receive noche buena packages from BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas meanwhile College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) in partnership with and BU Association of Non-Teaching Staff (ANTS) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office V also held the Pamaskong Handog: Noche Buena ng Pamilya at the Arcilla Hall, Daraga Campus on December 17, 2021.

Noche Buena packs pour for BU JOs T

o continue the annual gift-giving tradition, the Job Order (JO) personnel of Bicol University (BU) receives Noche Buena packages from BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP).

As one of his yuletide activities, Mascariñas initiated the Noche Buena packages for the JOs of the university ever since his presidentship. This year, at least 300 packages were filled with face masks, canned goods, spaghetti pack, and cheese distributed to the JOs across

the university.

Meanwhile, the CSSP, in partnership with the Association of Non-Teaching Staff (ANTS) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office V, held the Pamaskong Handog: Noche Buena ng Pamilya at the Arcilla Hall, Daraga Campus on December 17, 2021.

As part of the Leadership Legacy for Peace and Development webinar series, CSSP Dean and Lead Proponent of the project, Atty. Alex Nepomuceno said that he plans to continue the Noche Buena

project for the JOs of the university, which started last year.

At least 350 JOs received the Noche Buena packages sponsored by the institution, some private individuals, and the PNP through CSSP according to Nepomuceno. The package consisted of a ham box, spaghetti pack, and a 1.5L soft drink.

Present also in the event were the BU-ANTS officer, the teaching and nonteaching personnel of CSSP, and the PNP V representatives.

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Dr. Renelyn E. Bautista Associate Editor Gladys S. Serafica Circulation Manager Mary Ann M. See & Julie M. Isaac Photographer & Layout Artist Cherry Grace H. Calisin News Writer Arnold C. Noda Graphic Artist Reynalyn C. Cernechez Contributors Atty. Alex Nepomuceno, City Government of Ligao and Bicol University Center for Gender and Development Facebook Group, Editorial Consultants Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan & Dr. Reina O. Habalo Overall Consultant/Publisher Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Chan

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The BUzzette

NEWS

Mascariñas inspects proposed site of BU College of Veterinary Medicine Bldg.

Committed Support- Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and Prof. Jerry Bigornia with Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez- Alsua conducted a site inspection in Ligao City’s proposed location for the College of Veterinary Medicine building on December 15, 2021.

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fter the approval of the initial deliberation of HB10203 or the establishment of College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in Bicol University, BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, along with Ligao City Mayor Patricia

Gonzalez- Alsua and BU Vice President for Planning and Development Prof.

Jerry Bigornia, conducted a site inspection in Ligao City’s proposed location for the CVM building on December 15, 2021.

It can be recalled that during the deliberation, LGU Ligao has committed on providing a one-hectare land for the CVM building; hence, the location inspection.

BU to offer Doctor of Dental Medicine program on 2022; College of Dentistry building, soon to rise

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n its attempt to open doors and develop competent and efficient oral health professionals, Bicol University will begin offering Doctor of Dental Medine (DMD) program starting on Academic Year 2022-2023.

However, if the university fails to meet CEB criteria by May 2022, the office will notify affected candidates and let them choose an alternative course. The applicant should write to the Admissions Office and the change will be made on or before June 30, 2022.

Through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and pursuant to BOR- SC No. 138, s. 2021, BU is the first and only state university in Bicol Region to offer DMD. According to latest data, there are only 24 schools in the country offering the curriculum with Ago Medical and Educational Center (AMEC) – Bicol Christian College of Medicine (BCCM) being the only private institution in

Bicol. It can also be recalled that BU is also the only state university in the region to offer a Juris Doctor program.

The DMD curriculum is a sixyear program that will consist of basic science, clinical science, and dental public health courses. This also consists of six levels (Dentistry I to VI) from General Education in the first year, Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Pre-Clinical subjects in the next three years, and Clinical Training in the last two years.

According to the proposed offering based on the Target Student Profile, interested students must be a graduate of a DepEd-recognized Senior High School, ideally with a good foundation in sciences and associated subjects, in order to enrol to the program. Furthermore, the student must successfully pass the university’s entrance examination as well as the criteria implemented for the DMD program. Since it is an

nge Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

undergraduate degree, the tuition fee will be covered by UNIFast, hence it is free according to Admissions Dean Dr. Hennie P. Lomibao A College of Dentistry building was also proposed; however, its final design and exact location are still being studied to ensure consistency with the Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan of the university.

The DMD Technical Working Committee is chaired by BU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan, with members Dr. Antonio Garry Zamora, BU- Board of Regents Member and Licensed Dentists, Dr. Leo Nuyles, University Dentist, Dr. Luis Domingo Mendoza, BU College of Medicine Dean, Prof.

Jocelyn Serrano, BU College of Science Dean, Dr. Ma. Bernadita Palacio, retired BU College of Nursing Dean, Dr. Hennie Lomibao, Dean of Admissions, Dr. Lany Maceda, University Registrar, and Dr. Viola Amano.

Openin

ng Salvo

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The BUzzette

NEWS

VAWC campaign concludes with Zumba

Campaign Commitment - Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), in partnership with the Institute of Physical Education Sports and Recreation (IPESR) and Gubat Campus (GC), conducted the ‘Bayle para sa mga Kababaihan Laban sa Kadahasan’ at the BU Sports Complex Ground on December 10, 2021.

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o mark the final event of the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), in partnership with the Institute of Physical Education Sports and Recreation (IPESR) and Gubat Campus (GC), conducted the ‘Bayle para sa mga Kababaihan Laban sa Kadahasan’ at the BU Sports Complex Ground on December 10, 2021.

With the combined weekly IPESR activity dubbed ‘Padaraplusan sa Oval,’ the dance fitness exercise was participated by the CGAD staff and coordinators along with IPESR and GC. The winners

for the AMAKABOGERA Dance Challenge were also announced.

The overall winner was from the College of Education (CE) followed by the representatives from the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), Institute of Design and Architecture (IDeA), and the College of Industrial Technology (CIT).

GC promotes Safe Spaces

E. Lopez, Instructor and GAD Coordinator of BUGC, wrote their full commitment to the campaign.

“We support the Government’s call to strengthen the anti-VAW advocacy, eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and foster a community that has zero-tolerance for VAW.”

Webinar on sexual harassment, Spearheaded by the safe spaces held Philippine Commission on Women, BUGC raised Through the CGAD and awareness on the Republic Act the Extension Management No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Divison (EMD), in collaboration Act (Bawal Bastos Law) as part with the Graduate School (GS), of the campaign on VAWC. Open University (OU), College On a Facebook post, Gilbert of Law (CL), and Jess M Robredo Institute of Governance and Development (JMRIGD), held a webinar on sexual harassment and the discussion of the Safe Spaces Act on December 6, 2021.

The featured speaker was Atty. Norly P. Reyes, Chief Administrative Officer and Acting University and Board Secretary.

BU Gubat Campus supporting the government’s call to strengthen the anti-VAW advocacy.

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Change

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The BUzzette

NEWS

Promoting Opportunities - Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V held a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on promoting job opportunities with Bicol University and other HEIs and SUCS including Sorsogon State University, Camarines Norte State College, Catanduanes State University, Divine Word College of Legazpi, University of Nueva Caceres, University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi, Osmeña Colleges of the Province of Masbate, and Ateneo de Naga University held at the A&A Bed and Breakfast, Legazpi City on December 6, 2021.

DSWD V forges partnership with BU to promote job opportunities T o establish strong partnerships and network linkages with HEIs and SUCs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V held a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on promoting job opportunities with Bicol University at the A&A Bed and Breakfast, Legazpi City on December 6, 2021.

Other involved HEIs and SUC in the ceremonial signing were the Sorsogon State University, Camarines Norte State College, Catanduanes State University, Divine

Word College of Legazpi, University of Nueva Caceres, University of Santo TomasLegazpi, Osmeña Colleges of the Province of Masbate, and Ateneo de Naga University.

Represented by BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas through the MOU, BU, through the Alumni Relations Office headed by Dr. Charina Cipron, will actively promote DSWD FO V’s job vacancies through the official social media accounts and introduce the agency to their students and alumni during the Career and Employment Convocation Program for

graduating students and other relevant activities.

On the other hand, DSWD FO V will be providing technical assistance and support within its means to BU activities on employment opportunities which includes DSWD’s Capacity Building Programs and Services, provision of training slots for newly graduate alumni of the university on select trainings/ programs conducted by DSWD FO V, and support On-the-Job (OJT) Programs for BU students with referral from their respective Deans/ Directors and President.

education to our students.

This holiday season, as we celebrate the birth of our Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, may our souls be nourished, and our spirit be renewed so we will see that the true essence of Christmas is Christ alone, who, despite being the Only Begotten Son

of God, humbled himself in obedience to God—from being born in the humblest of circumstances and lowliest state up to his death like a criminal on the cross. May His life be an example for all of us as we live in total submission to God’s sovereign will.

May this season be a season of joy, peace, and goodwill. And may we seize the

opportunity to reflect on all that has gone before, and what is to come, cognizant that the past is nothing but a memory, and the future lies in our hands. May our Christmas be nothing but merry as we live in accordance to God’s master plan for our lives.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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