January 2017

JANUARY 2017 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1

Bicol University, Legazpi City Telefax No. (052) 480-0167 www.bicol-u.edu.ph

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

Regional SCUAA 2017 Highlights

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The PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

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very New Year is a fresh start; a new beginning. But each year is always built on the glories and foibles of the past. The entire Bicol University particularly those who underwent accreditation of their respective programs have worked enormously to maintain as well as upgrade the extent of excellence that we all aspire for. We continue to dream and work hard to attain the SUC leveling that will be our stepping stone towards our status as a world class University.

Our recent performance in the SCUAA has made me realize that we are always capable of bouncing back amidst trying challenges. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the BU athletes and their respective coaches for rising to the challenge I have set upon them. Indeed, our victory is a manifestation of how the ordinary human spirit can triumph over many unexpected odds and deliver extraordinary efforts!

But this is also the time to recoup all the efforts of the previous years and channel them into more productive endeavors that will contribute to the transformative development of our beloved Bicol University.

No effort is ever so small that it cannot create ripples of change. Every little act or the lack of it impacts our life here in the university and beyond. We are, after all, one big Bicol University family, with our shares of triumphs and struggles.

This year, a new chapter in the life of Bicol University is waiting to be written. Go ahead. Place your mark. Leave a footnote.

Set your foot prints. Walk with me. Dream with me. And together, as one family, in constant prayer and thanksgiving for each one’s contributions, let us continually write newer and better chapters for Bicol University!

The badminton men players from Bicol University lead the lighting of the friendship flame during the opening of the regional SCUAA 2017 at the BU-Albay Sports Complex on January 16, 2017. (E.Recamunda/CPRO-OP)

BU dominates Regional SCUAA with 116 golds

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icol University (BU) won a landslide victory during the 2017 Regional SCUAA Olympics held in BU on January 16-20, 2017.

With 116 gold, 63 silver, and 49 bronze BU earned gold medals in the following medals, BU was proclaimed as the over-all sports events: Basketball (women) – 6; Volleybal champion of the said regional youth games (women) – 6; Beach Volleyball (men) – 3; Mister followed by Catanduanes State University with 49 and Miss SCUAA Bicol - 2; Futsal – 5; Football gold, 55 silver and 36 bronze medals. Bicol State – 11; Sepak Takraw – 3; Badminton (men and College of Applied Sciences and Technology women) – 8; Karatedo (men and women) – came in third place with 43, 11, and 16 gold, silver 4; Taekwondo (men) 2; Arnis and bronze medals respectively. (women) – 1; Archery (women) – 4; SCUAA/ p2

Opening meeting of BU execs echoes aim for SUC leveling

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he annual opening meeting of President Arnulfo M. Mascariňas with BU officials at Hotel Venezia on January 4, 2017 jumpstarted the year with plans and directions for the University as it echoed the continued aim for SUC (State Universities and Colleges) leveling.

Addressing the BU officials consisting of deans, directors, and heads of offices and units, BU Pres. Mascariňas emphasized the need to focus efforts on four action items, namely, (1) plantilla faculty with doctoral degree, (2) board examination performance, (3) research publication, and (4) technology adapters. The four action areas are instrumental for SUC leveling.

He further urged the BU academic community in achieving the four action areas by upgrading the Opening Meeting/ p3

BUCM spearheads first regional health convention

Hon. Paulyn Jean Ubial, Health Secretary, presents the Philippine Health Agenda for 2016-2022 of the DOH during the first Bicol Health Convention at the Casablanca Convention Center on January 20, 2017.

(E. Recamunda/CPRO-OP)

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eing one of the lead institutions on health in the region, the Anatomy Teaching and Learning Academic Society of the College of Medicine in partnership with the Albay Medical Society and the Department of Health Regional Office 5, spearheaded the Bicol Health Convention held Health Convention/ p3

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

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Regional SCUAA 2017 H I G H L I G H T S

Opening Ceremony

BU Basketball Women Team

MM SCUAA 2017

Awarding Ceremony for Athletics

Pres. Mascariñas receives championship trophy

Winners from Bicol University

Swimming – 35 and; Athletics – 27.

Likewise, the University raked in silver medals on events like: Volleyball (men) – 6; Lawn Tennis (men and women) – 8; Table Tennis (men) – 4; Karatedo (men) – 2; Taekwondo (men and women) – 2; Chess (women) – 4; Arnis (men and women) – 2; Archery (men and women) – 5; Swimming – 13 and; Atheletics – 17.

On the other hand, BU earned bronze medals on: Beach Volleyball (women) – 3; Softball – 9; Table Tennis (women) – 4; Karatedo (men) – 2; Taekwondo (women) – 5; Arnis (men and women) – 5; Archery (men and women) – 4; Swimming – 11 and; Athletics – 6.

Meanwhile, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture earned fourth place while Camarines Norte State College bagged the fifth place.

Sorsogon State College, Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, and Partido State University ranked sixth to ninth spots respectively.

AIMING HIGH After the raucous battle of Bicolano athletes on the regional SCUAA Games 2017, a bigger challenge will come to the delegates of the region as they will compete on the national level at Batangas State University, Batangas City on February 20- 24, 2017.

Dr. Celerino Palacio, SCUAA Bicol Regional Sports Coordinator, said that their goal for this year’s national SCUAA meet is to bring home more gold awards than the previous year.

“We will show to the national games that Bicol Region is a powerhouse when it comes to sports. We aim for higher position on national standing,” he stated.

Meanwhile, those who won in the regional SCUAA games will automatically join Bicol’s delegation for the national games. The winning team in the regional meet will retain their coach for the nationals.

On the other hand, Palacio affirmed that they agreed on the principle that the representatives of Bicol for national SCUAA meet will not only be composed of the winning teams. The winning coach has the right to determine those athletes among other teams who are capable to compete for national games.

“There are better players from other schools, may mga mahuhusay din na pwede nating isali na much better if not the best. It should not be the winner who takes all,” he said.

The decision for the final list of more or less 350 athletes who will join the delegation for national meet will come from the coaches, tournament managers, sports directors and teams.

Palacio reminded the athletes to stay fit, have enough sleep, achieve a healthy lifestyle, have more practice, more discipline, pray and ask for strength and guidance.

He also said that there is only one week left for the preparation for the national SCUAA games. The Bicol’s delegation is expected to be in Batangas on February 18.

The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges V will share in the budget. (Joshua Caleb P. Pacleta/CPRO-OP and Cassandra Balala/The Bicol Universitarian) SCUAA from p.1

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Chan

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

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BUCN from p.4

Health Convention from p.1

Dino Doliente III, PNAA President lectured on Innovation Leadership.

Dr. Rose Estrada, shared her insights on Maternal and Infant Health Promotion in Typhoon Devastated Area in the Philippines Dr. Jasper Tolarba, Commission on Graduate of Foreign Nursing Schools International Inc. Director and BU alumna, keynotes the 4th International while Dr. Danet Bluhm Collaborative Conference on January 19-20, 2017 at Hotel Venezia Convention talked about Advances Hall, Legazpi City. (E.Recamunda/CPRO-OP) in Genomics and Personalized Medicine: leadership and research.

Nursing Implications.

Also, the conference included paper The seminar had significance to the need and poster presentations on the following of the Filipino nurses, here and abroad, to face thematic areas: Nursing administration, the challenges and seize the opportunities in entrepreneurship, and leadership; health healthcare of a globalized world by promoting ethics and gender issues; universal care/global nursing advocacy, innovation and research health development; climate change. Disaster utilization. risk reduction and environment sustainability The activity increased the participants’ and miscellaneous health issues. comprehension on relevant issues and they The event circled on the theme, “Exploring were also able to share their best practices the Innovations in Nursing Education, Practice, whether in clinical, academe or community Management and Research.” (Joshua Caleb healthcare. The convention featured speakers P. Pacleta with a report from Earl Recamunda/ from the Philippines and the United States who CPRO-OP) imparted new knowledge on nursing practice,

at Casablanca Convention Center, Legazpi City on January 20, 2017.

The event was a one-day gathering of health leaders, practitioners and students of the region, in response to the call of personal and professional competence.

Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial graced the occasion and presented the Philippine Health Agenda for 2016-2022.

Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo, Executive Director of Asia eHealth Information Network, talked about Trends and Issues in Health Infomatics, and Dr. Pacifico Eric E. Calderon, Medical Ethics Coordinator, San Beda College of Medicine, and Committee Member, Catholic Physicians Guild of the Philippines, tackled on Social Media Ethics for Health Professionals.

The conference was anchored on the theme “Molding Healthcare Practitioners into Building a Nationalist, Evidence-Based and Mass-Oriented Philippine Healthcare System”.(Earl Epson L. Recamunda/CPROOP)

NOAH from p.4 Arielle Marie Alejandro, Project NOAH Training Officer talked about Using Project NOAH, Food Patrol and ARKO Mobile Apps and Mapping Using OpenStreetMap Platform.

On the last day of the event, Alyanna Inlong, Project NOAH Training Officer, introduced the WebSAFE tool and using information from WebSAFE. The participants were made to synthesize inputs from the training.

The Project NOAH was established in 2012 by the DOST in response to the country’s need for a responsive disaster prevention and mitigation program.

The project’s mission is to undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of cutting edge technologies and recommend innovative information services in government’s disaster prevention and mitigation efforts.

Through the use of science and technology and in partnership with the academe and other stakeholders, the DOST through Project NOAH is taking a multidisciplinary approach in developing systems, tools, and other technologies that could be operationalized by government to help prevent and mitigate disasters. Project NOAH works to raise awareness of Filipinos for hazards.

(Joshua Caleb P. Pacleta/CPRO-OP)

for 2017. Similarly presented were the appropriations and obligations, the new appropriations, the 2017 Internal Operating Budget or Fund 164, infrastructure projects and other structural and organizational developments. The implementation of online registration and payment system is also part of BU’s future directions.

Likewise, the priorities and thrusts for 2017 were also discussed. Among these thrusts and priorities for 2017 are the continuing quest for SUC level 5 status, re-organization or re-structuring, repair/ rehabilitation and physical enhancement of the university, completion of the land use plan/site development plan for BU East Campus, BUCAF, and BU Gubat Campus; accreditation of academic programs, curricular program review and revision/ development focusing on cutting across indemand but hard-to-fill occupations, and human resource development. (Renelyn E. Bautista/CPRO-OP)

number of plantilla faculty with completed research, focusing on employability of graduates, encouraging faculty to increase publication citations, and documenting viable demonstration projects.

By 2018 or beyond, Pres. Mascariňas aims to join the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings. According to the BU president, “It’s a tough job. But if we prepare ourselves for this eventuality, years before that, I don’t think we will not be able to do that.”

In a similar meeting with the department chairpersons across the university, the BU president reiterated the budget increase from 924M to 970M and the upgrading of items of around 164 faculty members based on the results of NBC 7th cycle.

Among those presented in the said opening meeting were the performance indicators including the four Major Final Outputs (MFO) and the respective targets Opening Meeting from p.1

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nge Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

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EXECUTIVE UPDATES (Editor’s Note: This column is reserved for information dissemination on policies, directions, targets and other relevant data for general awareness of the BU community following the principle of transparency and accountability in good governance.)

BU PROJECTS (Part I of Series)

Projects

Capital Outlay Completion of BUPC-CSE Bldg.

15,000,000 BUCENG East Campus Modernization 14,948,000 Phase 1 BU Student Union Center Phase 2 30,000,000 3-Storey Library and Knowledge 30,000,000 Center Phase 2 Two-Storey Dormitory Phase 2 20,000,000 Construction and/or Rehab of Multi- 1,500,000 Purpose Building including PhP 500,000 for Sports Facilities Repair and Improvement of Structures 3,500,000 and Facilities and Acquisition of Equipment Repair of Theatre MOOE 1,000,000 Subsidy for Tuition of Medical MOOE Students Main Campus 39,641,000

Total 15,000,000 14,948,000

CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat speaking before PASUC V presidents and participants during the federalism training. (E. Recamunda)

30,000,000 30,000,000

SUC Presidents convene trainers’ training on federalism

20,000,000 1,500,000 3,500,000 MOOE 1,000,000 MOOE 39,641,000

BUCN conducts 4th DOST partners with BU for Project NOAH and international confab anew ICOL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WebSAFE confab NURSING in partnership with the Philippine

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RODUCING quality, reliable, and relevant scientific disaster data, a training program for Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard (NOAH) and Webbased Scenario Assessment for Emergencies (WebSAFE) for Children was held at Bicol University College of Science Function Hall, January 26-27.

The purpose of the workshop was to impart to local government units the use of WebSAFE tool in the DOST-Project NOAH website for better disaster planning, preparedness, and response activities.

More than 30 representatives from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices in Luzon and Visayas participated in the said workshop. The event was spearheaded by the DOST Project NOAH in partnership with BU. Ken Adrian Aracan, Project NOAH Supervising Science Research Specialist, expounded on the topic Hydrometeorological Hazards and the Use of NOAH p.2 Probabilistic Hazard Maps;

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Nurses Association of America Foundation Inc. (PNAAF) and PNA Bicol Chapter spearheaded the 4th International Collaborative Conference last January 19-20, 2017 at Hotel Venezia Convention Hall, Legazpi City.

The event’s primary objective was to design lifelong learning and professional growth among nurses and other allied health workers through scientific undertakings.

Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, keynoted the event and presented the Philippine Health Agenda for 2016-2022 during the second day of the conference. Dr. Jasper Tolarba, Commission on Graduate of Foreign Nursing Schools International Inc. Director and BU alumna, also gave a keynote speech.

The speakers who also graced the event were: Arthur Cantos, talked about Interpersonal Communication Skills in Nursing; Dr. Carmelita Divinagracia spoke about The Nursing Status in the Philippines vs. Impact of K-12 and ASEAN Integration; BUCN p.3

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TATE UNIVERSITIES and Colleges Presidents in the Bicol Region convened the PASUC V Trainer’s Training on Federalism on January 26-27, 2017 at the BU College of Education, Training Hall.

CHED Commissioner Ronold Adamat graced the occasion and keynoted the training. During his speech, Adamat expressed his support to the current administration’s plans to adapt a federalist government.

The training headed by PASUC V Chair and Sorsogon State College President, Dr. Modesto Detera, explained the purpose of the training. Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, BU President, during his welcome address explained the important role of the training in understanding the concepts in federalism.

Dr. Enrico Sampang, DILG Program Manager on Federalism, gave an overview of the President’s Agenda on Federalism, and Conrado Generoso presented the DILG updates on Federalism. (Earl Epson L. Recamunda/CPRO-OP)

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

EDITORIAL BOARD Renelyn E. Bautista, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief Gladys G. Serafica Associate Editor Merly J. Loria Managing Editor Mary Ann M. See Circulation Manager Earl Epson L. Recamunda Photojournalist/ Layout Artist: Joshua Caleb P. Pacleta Writer Reina O. Habalo, Ed.D. Helen M. Llenaresas, Ed.D. Editorial Consultants Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, Ph.D. Overall Consultant/Publisher