MAY 2020 BUzzette

The

MAY 2020 | Vol. XII Issue 5

issuu.com/thebuzzette_bicoluniversity

BUzzette AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

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

ISSN 2094-3991

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PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

T

here is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the education sector. As a learning institution engaged in carrying out its mandate along instruction, the disruption of classes has posed serious repercussions on the academe.

This impact, however, is particularly felt by higher education institutions (HEIs) which have shifted to a new academic calendar. Caught by the lockdown in the middle of the semester, the challenge is for these HEIs to fulfil its mandate while supporting national initiatives to stem the spread of the virus.

At Bicol University, we value our people. In these difficult times, ensuring the health and safety of our clientele, stakeholders, and communities is our utmost priority.

This is enshrined in our academic policies and procedures, and is the fundamental tenet that guides us in crafting and issuing Administrative Orders (AO).

This is the reason why we issued AO 91, which suspended the conduct of online classes for the month of May, and urged the faculty members to exercise leniency in giving grades to students. While we understand that it is essential for learning to continue to uphold academic rigour, we also understand that we need to take into consideration the unique circumstances of our students and personnel.

The situation that we are in requires a delicate balancing act, but our core values have always been our compass, pointing us to the right decision that would best serve the interests of our people. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought life to a standstill, and education has been one of the sectors hardest hit by this Pres Outbox | P8

Dr. Jasper Tolarba, an alumnus of Bicol University, appointed as Director of Global Standards.

International NGO appoints BU alumnus as Director of Global Standards n a news release, the O Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)

International, Inc., announces the appointment of Bicol University (BU) alumnus Jasper Tolarba as Director of Global Standards, May 5, 2020.

CGFNS International, Inc., based on Philadelphia, is an immigration-neutral, nonprofit organization that serves as the world’s largest credentials evaluation organization specializing in the nursing and allied healthcare professionals.

CGFNS International is an NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is a member of the conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations.

Jasper Toralba took his bachelor’s degree in Nursing and earned his Masters of Arts Education in BU. He received his

News | P2 BUGC to be LGU-Gubat Community Isolation Unit

Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut where he concentrated in Health Policy. He have his Master of Science in Nursing from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is now currently pursuing a second doctorate in Nursing Education with a concentration in Curriculum Evaluation from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York.

Toralba wrote on a Facebook post that it has been his personal mission to be an advocate for all nurses especially for foreigneducated nurses around the world.

“Coming back from my Fulbright scholarship in Jordan, I am fortunate to be appointed in this new role that I feel I can deliver my personal advocacy best. I am even more fortunate to be in a company where I enjoy working alongside my very supportive and caring colleagues.

They’ve been such a family to me for the past four years that I have been with CGFNS International,” he said.

Feature | P4-7 Oplan Hatid, Sundo helps 80 BU students

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The BUzzette

NEWS

BUGC to be LGU-Gubat Community Isolation Unit

The Bicol University Gubat Campus located at Bgy. Buenavista, Gubat, Sorsogon was converted as Community Isolation Unit for the Global Pandemic Response of the CoVID-19 in Bicol Region, Province of Sorsogon.

I

n response to the guidelines established by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on the use of school facilities as quarantine centres or Community Isolation Units (CIU) for COVID-19, Bicol University (BU) Gubat Campus (GC) is set to become the CIU of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Gubat, Sorsogon.

By using BUGC as CUI, it will accommodate Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs), Persons Under Investigation (PUIs), and confirmed cases of COVID-19 with mild symptoms whose home environment cannot support isolation as stated in the

coverage of the guidelines issued

by CHED. According to the reports submitted by the Monitoring and Evaluation Team, the advantage of the location of BUGC is its isolation from the populated communities that minimizes health risks for the residents.

Aside from its ideal location, it is also accessible to basic services and logistics needed to manage patients.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Team is composed of BU College of Nursing (CN) faculty Prof. Rodel A. Nińofranco, BUGC Director Dr. Rosemarie R. Jadie, Doctors to the Barangay

Program Dra. Mariane P. Ecleo, Rural Health Midwife of LGU Gubat Jason Buenaobra and Municipal Health Officer of LGU Gubat Dr. Anthony S. Lelis On the first visit dated last April 20, there are still observations, findings, and recommendations needed to fully utilize the facility such as the physical set-up, human resource, water, sanitation, hygiene, and other logistics.

As of writing, there have been progress and on-going constructions in line with the recommendations according to the progress report submitted by Dr. Anthony S. Lelis.

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 Layout Artist Cherry Grace H. Calisin News Writer Arnold C. Noda Photographer Cherry Grace H. Calisin Contributors: Jasper Toralba, Prof. Esther Valladolid, Monitoring and Evaluation Team, Marie Dioquino & Team BUCAF: OPLAN SUNDO Editorial Consultants Dr. Helen M. Llenaresas & Dr. Reina O. Habalo Overall Consultant/Publisher Dr. Arnulfo M. MascariĂąas

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Chan

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The BUzzette

NEWS

Dr. Jadie inquiring the designated storage room for disinfectants and chemicals.

Dr. Lelis, Dr. Jadie , Prof. NiĹˆofranco, while inspecting the patients room

A member of the M & E Team inquiring about the installation of theCommunication equipment and necessary IT facilities to ensure maximum resource utilization and considering proper usage of electricity and other internal and external resources.

nge Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

FEAT

The BU

#BUCares COVID19 Prevention Initiatives Oplan Hatid, Sundo helps 80 BU students Oplan Hatid

A

t least 34 Bicol University students stranded in Albay due to the implementation of the lockdown were safely sent to their homes in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon Province, Metro Manila, and Bataan last April 25 through the Oplan Hatid program of Bicol University.

The stranded students were from the College of Engineering (CEng), College of Industrial Technology (CIT), and College of Medicine (CM) respectively.

Oplan Hatid Sundo is an initiative of BU OSAS and USC to help BU students stranded in their boarding houses and places of internship in and outside the Bicol region return to their respective residences.

According to former Chairperson and Student Regent Brian Dela Rama, who coordinated the operation along with other USC officers, BU made sure that the stranded students were able to secure the needed documents such as medical certificates and travel authority to allow them to go home safely. The success of the Oplan Sundo was made possible through the efforts of the University Student Development Services under the Office of the Student Affairs and Services (OSAS), headed by Prof.

Daves Tonga.

One of the students who benefitted the program Oplan Hatid Sundo.

One of the students who was stranded during the implementation of lockdown.

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Chang

TURE

Uzzette

Oplan Sundo

M

eanwhile, another 10 students from Bicol University benefitted from the Oplan Sundo, enabling them to go home to their respective cities and municipalities in the Province of Sorsogon last March.

Headed by Gov. Francis Joseph G. Escudero in coordination with BUOSAS, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon sent a vehicle to fetch the students as facilitated by Atty. Cesar Balmaceda.

Students from different colleges and campuses of Bicol University who were heading home in their respective cities & municipalities in the Province of Sorsogon.

Atty. Cesar Balmaceda facilitating the safe travel of the stranded students.

ge Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

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The BUzzette

Feature | P4-P5

BU College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) students who were stranded in Batangas and Tayabas were fetched by BU’s Oplan Sundo project.

S

imilarly, 36 BU College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) students stranded in Batangas and Tayabas due to their onthe-job training were also fetched by BU’s Oplan Sundo project.

In partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), OCD, LGU Guinobatan and with cooperation from LGUs of Lipa City, San Jose, Batangas, Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, and Tayabas, Quezon, the students safely arrived in Bicol last May 6.

According to BUCAF Dean Prof.

Domingo

Students who were fetched by BU’s Oplan Sundo project.

L. Nace, the students had to undergo medical assessment at TulaTula, Legazpi City and quarantine for 14 days as per protocol before they

were sent home. He also said that the stranded students were provided with food and hygiene needs when they were in Batangas and Tayabas.

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Change

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The BUzzette

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One of the members of Team BUCAF: OPLAN SUNDO

A parent showing gratitude to Bicol University for bringing their daughter back home safely.

e Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

s of writing, there are still more or less 150 BU students stranded in Albay – 76 from Masbate, 10 from Mindanao, 21 from Sorsogon, eight from Catanduanes, six from Camarines Norte, three from Visayas, and the rest within Albay The College Student Affairs Coordinators (CSAC) is continuously coordinating with the stranded students and their parents.

#BUCares COVID19 Prevention Initiatives

Dr. Jadie, Dr. Lelis and Prof. Niňofranco inspecting the installation of a 5 unit comfort rooms and hand washing area.

The kitchen dedicated for the Medical Team and Responders and is yet to be improved.

The Monitoring and Evaluation team tasked by the CHED, LGU-Gubat and Bicol University.

Pres Outbox | P1 global crisis. But this crisis also presents opportunities for transformation and development if we will only find the silver lining behind this COVID-19 cloud.

At Bicol University, we see this disruption in our learning environment as the perfect opportunity to rethink and reflect on our academic policies and pedagogies to respond to the needs of the times. We see this as the perfect time to find other alternatives to ensure the continuity of learning without compromising the safety and health of our students and personnel.

With careful and strategic planning, we are hopeful that BU can adapt to the “new normal” and get out of the COVID-19 quagmire once classes resume in August.

After all, resilience and adaptability is in our DNA.