November 2017

NOVEMBER 2017 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11

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

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

BUCS launches STEP Tech4U

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ISSN 2094-3991

The PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

Two years, 8 months and 21 days...

This is the span of time I have stayed so far as your President. But it feels like more than that.

It feels like ages ago. The burdens and blessings of the Office have made me realize that each passing day counts and every moment matters. Time and momentum must neither be lost nor taken for granted.

Armed with passion and ideas, directed by a shared vision and grounded on genuine service for social transformation and development, we set out to make things possible in Bicol University. I know that varied structures are needed to support our quest for world-class education. Thus, the intensive infrastructure and physical development of Bicol University is a priority.

This Year, many grounds were broken and various trails were blazed.

August 30 saw the ground breaking ceremonies for (1) a two-story building for Geodetic Engineering, and (2) a two-story dorm. On September 22, as we celebrated our Founding Anniversary, we inaugurated four infrastructures projects; (3) BU Dormitory, (4) BUCENG Gymnasium, (5) BU Regional Food Innovation and Commercialization Center, and the (6) BU Multi-Tech Building. By November 2 and 28 respectively, the (7) Ground breaking and site blessing of the BUenavista Campus in Gubat, Sorsogon, and yet, another groundbreaking was done at the (8) Multi-purpose Building that will serve as an evacuation center. The most recent development is the (9) inauguration of the bridge and angle parking last December 22.

Last year saw the start of our intensive physical development for Bicol University.

June 23 saw the (10) inauguration of the Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) in BUCIT at the East Campus. December 19 saw another inauguration – that of the (11) BU Gubat Building.

On October 5, in time with the World Teachers’ Day, three ground breaking ceremonies were done; (12) the BU Regional Information and Knowledge Center, (13) the two-story BU Student Dorm, and the (14) three-story University Student Union Center.

All these are meant to serve not only the immediate Bicol University community, but more so, the Bicolano scholars and clients beyond our borders, who place their hopes and dreams on us, as a premier staste University in the Bicol Region.

We place all honor and glory to God for making all these possible, and to you, my dear Bicol University family, for continuously dreaming, hoping, praying, and working for the realization of our lifelong vision of a world-class University providing transformative education and producing change agents for social transformation and development.

Cheers to more “bests” to come!

(L-R) BU-EMD Director Dr. Lester Narvaez, DSWD FOV Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas, DSWD FOV Assistant Regional Director for Operations Mr. Arwin Razo, and Mr. Patrick Cinco, LTC INF (GSC) PA, formally signed the Memorandum of Agreeement between BU and DSWD which focused on the P280-M fund allotted for skills training program for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.

BU and DSWD ink P280-M fund for skills training program in Bicol

T

he Bicol University through the Extension Management Division signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Operations V on skills training program for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries on November 13, 2017 at HERRC Amphitheater, BU East Campus.

A total amount of P280 million will Special features will be added to the Skills be transferred to BU by the DSWD FOV Training and Employment Assistance Fund for the implementation of agricultural and of DSWD such as review of the modules non-agricultural trainings in Region V. In a to be used where values formation will be statement of BUEMD Director, Dr. Lester included; link the participants to industries for M. Narvaez, “the program will answer the employment; establish techno-demo farms demand of the University’s major final output per municipality; and a built-in-research for the for trainings in 2018.” monitoring and evaluation of the projects.

The trainings are aligned with the Prof. Rowena F. Zoilo, Coordination, extension agenda on poverty alleviation Linkages and Other Support Services Head of focusing on skills development in agriculture BUEMD added that with the huge amount, 535 and technical education. Beneficiaries will projects and 23,602 participants to serve, most be linked to the industry and agencies and of the BU faculty will be engaged in extension. will come up with techno-demo farms for “We are more than grateful to DSWD FOV the agriculture and fishery related projects. for entrusting to BU the said amount and to all BU DSWD/p.4

AKO Bikol Cong. Batocabe, Mayor Rosal grace groundbreaking ceremonies

he groundbreaking ceremonies of the T(Evacuation Bicol University Multi-purpose Hall was Center) was held on November 28, 2017 at BU East Campus.

Dr. Jonathan Arroco, Dean of BU College of Industrial Technology gave the welcome message. Prof. Jerry Bigornia, Vice President for Planning and Development gave the overview of the project. Moreover, Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, AKO Bikol Party List Representative Hon. Rodel Batocabe, and Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, BU President gave their messages.

The groundbreaking ceremonies was formally led by Pres. Mascariñas, Mayor Rosal, Hon. Batocabe, VP Bigornia, VPAA Helen Llenaresas, VPAF Amelia Dorosan, and VPRDE Victor Soliman.

BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas together with Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, AKO Bicol Partylist Representative Cong. Rodel Batocabe, and the BU Vice-Presidents led the grounbreaking ceremonies of the BU Multi-purpose building which will also serve as an Evacuation Center.

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Nine BUHS scribes shine in regional campus journ tilt; two studes advance to NSPC ine Bicol University High School N students emerged as victors in the Regional Schools Press Conference

(L-R) Msgr. Crispin Bernarter Jr., Vice Chairman of Legazpi CEDP, Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, SEDP Chairman, and Bicol University President Arnulfo Mascariñas grace the Joint SAC-SEDP General Assembly last November 27, 2017.

BU Pres keynotes SAC-Legazpi, SEDP Inc. joint general assembly

icol University Arnulfo Mascariñas served B as the keynote speaker during the Joint Social Action Center (SAC) - Diocese of

Legazpi and Simbag sa Pag-asenso (SEDP) Inc. General Assembly on November 27, 2017 at SAC-SEDP Building, St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Old Albay, Legazpi City.

President Mascariñas said that building sustained communities through servant leadership will never be a reality if the three formidable institutions - the Church, the Academe, and the Local Government Units will not synergize all their resources and capacities towards sustainable development in the Region.

“As separate institutions, major changes and contributions have been done. But as a unified force, more transformative changes in the socioeconomic fiber of the Bicol Region can be done.”

“The SEDP – Simbag sa Pag- Asenso Inc. is a development-oriented institution run by the Diocese of Legazpi. It was established in 1994 and its main office is located at The Chancery, Cathedral Compound, Albay District, Legazpi City, Philippines. We have 27 branch offices all over the province of Albay and in the neighboring provinces in the Bicol region and Samar island in Visayas. Currently, we are serving 52,000 members mostly women and its families.,” according to SEDP’s website.

Meanwhile, the Social Action Center is a church-based, non-stock, non-profit organization operating in the Diocese of Legazpi, Province of Albay, Philippines. It was established in 1972 as an offshoot of the Second Vatican Council’s call for the Church greater involvement in social issues and concerns. Social Action Center then became the social action arm of the Diocese.

held on November 7-10, 2017 at Sorsogon National HIgh School, Sorsogon City with two qualifiers in the National Schools Press Conference.

Ryven Balunsay, a Grade 12-HUMSS student, was hailed as the champion in Copyreading and Headline Writing – Filipino while Rowill Christian Rempillo, a Grade 12-STEM student, earned the third spot in Sports Writing – English.

Besting around 35 student journalists across the region, Balunsay and Rempillo are bound for Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental to represent the Bicol Region in the NSPC come February 2017.

Meanwhile, the Radio Broadcasting – English team of the Legazpi City Division represented by Bicol University clinched the third place and was proclaimed as the “Best in Infomercial” during the broadcast presentation. The winners were Grade 12 students namely Francis Jerome Sayson, Danielle Filio, Vina Montino, Marian Felize Dometita,

The Radio Broadcasting English Team of Bicol University High School Department reiceves their 3rd place award during the Regional School Press Conference held in Sorsogon City last November 7-10, 2017

Athila Caramoan, Patricia Renee Latagan and Gean Alarte Celestial.

In this year’s edition of RSPC, the Schools Division of Legazpi City was proclaimed as the overall champion, while the Albay and Camarines Sur Divisions secured the second and third place, respectively.

The said winners were coached

by Agnes Reonal and Mabell Mingoy, advisers of The Mayon, the official school publications of the High School Department.

Yuan Placides/BUHS Deptartment

EMD holds training on Gender Analysis, Harmonized GAD guidelines

The participants actively participate in a group activity during the training on Gender Analysis and Harmonized GAD Guidelines on November 6-7, 2017 held at Hotel Venezia, Legazpi City.

he Extension Management Division Tools and Harmonized GAD guidelines; integrate Ta training of Bicol University spearheaded the harmonized GAD guidelines in the functions on Gender Analysis and of RDE divisions and centers to help improve Harmonized GAD Guidelines on November 6-7, 2017 at Hotel Venezia, Legazpi City.

The two-day event aimed to capacitate the BU RDE staff with Gender Analysis

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project quality and mainstream GAD concerns in development programs and projects; and determine the Gender Mainstreaming level of BU RDE Divisions and Centers.

Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Commissioner on Education, Cristita Cervantes Triunfante, talked about the topics “Introduction to Basic GAD Concepts and Gender Analysis”, “Introduction to Gender Analysis Tools and Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF),” and “Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines”.

Workshops were also conducted which focused on using the enhanced GMEF tool and application of HGDG tool. Presentation and critiquing of workshop outputs were conducted.

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Chan

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ISSN 2094-3991

College of Science launches SciTech Extension Program (STEP) Tech4U in Pagasa NHS and Puro, Legazpi City

The Science and Technology Extension Program (STEP) - Tech4U (Technology for Use) is an extension program of the Bicol University College of Science - Computer Science and Information Technology department which aims to uplift the quality of life in the community by conducting sustainable activities and providing providing technological support.

This academic year, the BUCS has chosen Pagasa National High School and Brgy. 59 Puro, Legazpi City as the recipient of the STEP - Tech4U extension program.

with the Bicol University’s Ilifengoalline of uplifting the quality of of the residents of depressed

basic hands-on skills training on computer hardware technology for the youth of the community.

skills to solve common hardware problems.

Community Impact Assessment The community impact assessment Tech4U launching at Pagasa NHS on the Barangay 59 Puro, Legazpi City Sir Jeremy Cruz, PNHS principal, was done on October 7, 2017. A survey spearheaded the launching of Tech4U at form was given to the youth and several Pagasa National High School on August barangay residents as representatives of 17, 2017. The ceremonial Memorandum their community. Impact assessment on of Agreement was signed between the two the hardware training and the barangay parties with Professor Jocelyn Serrano, website was done, with the results BUCS dean representing Bicol University collected to serve as the basis for the and Sir Jeremy Cruz, representing PNHS. improvement of the services given to the The official school website was unveiled partner community. to the students, faculty and staff of PNHS along with the presentation of the ICTICT Based EE Materials Impact based environmental education materials Assessment to the science teachers.

Pagasa National High School students and parents were invited to assess the Need Assessment Tech4U Activity at Puro, Legazpi impact of the ICT-based environmental The needs assessment for the The faculty, staff and students of education materials to their school and target clients happened on July 14, 2017. The Pagasa National High School the Computer Science and Information respective communities on October (CSIT) department 20, 2017. Several video clips of the administrators together with the subject Technology coordinators met with the BUCS faculty to congregated with the barangay officials and education materials were presented to the discuss their needs in terms of increasing residents of Barangay 59 Puro, Legazpi participants and the resulting evaluation the school’s web presence and injecting City to officially launch the BUCS – STEP outcomes were collected to serve as the ICT – based education materials in their Tech4U program. The whole day event basis for improvement of the education subjects. It was decided that a dynamic was held at the community’s barangay hall materials given to the school. website would be beneficial for the on August 19, 2017.

Professor Rodel Naz, CSIT department Website Presentation & Evaluation school. Technology transfer of ICT-based Meanwhile, the faculty and parents environmental education materials that is in chair, presented the developed website for line with PNHS’s environmental standpoint the barangay which includes details about of the students of Pagasa National High the community, their barangay officials, and School served as evaluators of the official was also set as one of the primary goals.

A needs assessment meeting was the barangay budget among many others. school website. The website was presented also done at Barangay 59 Puro, Legazpi The computer hardware training was also at the PNHS school library on October 20, City. Honorable Nicasio Barrios Jr, the done with the youth of the community 2017 and received favorable reviews from punong barangay together with the participating in the affair. The topics of the assessors. Comments where noted to barangay officials addressed the needs the training focused more on the basics further improve the website to best serve of their barangay in terms of computer of computer components, troubleshooting the teachers, administrators and students technology. A website for the barangay was and operating system installation so that in particular. Mary Joy Canon/CS also identified to be beneficial as well as the participants can acquire the necessary

communities and schools across Bicol through sustainable activities and provision for technical support by the academe towards community empowerment, the BU College of Science (BUCS) - Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) department launched this present academic year the BUCS - Science and Technology Extension Program (STEP) - Tech4U (Technology for Use) in partnership with Barangay 59 Puro, Legazpi City and Pagasa National High School (PNHS).

nge Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

Executive Updates

ISSN 2094-3991

(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 pays tribute to its new engineers

celebrate the triumph of the Bicol Tin theoUniversity College of Engineering recent board exams, a tribute

A site blessing ceremony at the BUenavista Gubat Campus was held on November 3, 2017 at Gubat, Sorsogon. BU Gubat Campus Director Dr. Rosemarie Jadie delivered the welcome remarks. Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, BU President gave his inspirational message.

The Groundbreaking ceremonies of the Bicol University Multi-purpose Building was (Evacuation Center) was held on November 28, 2017 at BU East Campus. The groundbreaking ceremonies was formally led

by Pres. Mascariñas, Mayor Rosal, Hon. Batocabe, VP Bigornia, VPAA Helen Llenaresas, VPAF Amelia Dorosan, and VPRDE Victor Soliman.

BU DSWD/p.1

our partners in Tsokolate at Pan de Sal organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Civil Military Operations Batallion Command under the leadership of LTC Patrick E Cinco, Batallion Commander. More of the 35 member agencies we are working in Tsokolate at Pan De Sal are willing to give fund for research and extension through the Linking Education to the Society Through Extension and Research (LESTER) Program of BUEMD,” Prof. Zoilo stated.

Present during the MOA Signing is BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas, who expressed gratitude to and assured DSWD FOV that the fund is in good hand and that the training programs will be delivered accordingly. He further added that “we should work together for the common goal to achieve the improvement of the general well-being of the Bicol Region through collaboration and mobilization of people.”

Likewise, DSWD FOV Regional Director, Arnel Garcia, shared thoughts and strong belief to Bicol University as an academic institution that could efficiently and effectively deliver the services

to the board examination passers was held on November 28, 2017 at BUCENG Gymnasium, East Campus The 2017 graduates of BS Electrical Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Geodetic Engineering, BS Chemical Engineering, and BS Civil Engineering were hailed during the event.

It can be noted that BU obtained an overall rating of 87.18% and was proclaimed as the 8th top performing school nationwide in the September 2017 Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam (MELE). John Bert Onrubia capped the third place in the MELE with a rating of 90.10%.

Likewise, Mary Ruth Bongon notched the 5th place in the October 2017 Geodetic Engineer Licensure Exam (GELE) with a score of 86.80%.

BU scored a passing rate of 70% in GELE. In the November 2017 Chemical Engineer Board Exam, Joseph Cysty Ozaeta ranked 6th with a passing score of 83.30%; BU got a passing rate of 64.10%.

Moreover, BU got a 73.27% passing rate in the September 2017 Registered Electrical Engineer Licensure Exam with while in the November 2017 Civil Engineer Licensure Exam, BU earned a passing rate of 45.13%.

Meanwhile, BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas delivered an inspirational graduates during the said event.

considering its pool of manpower. He added, to solve and manage poverty alleviation requires multi-disciplinary action and convergence. “BU will be downloaded with 79% of the skills training total fund. We should come up with the best practices in Bicol to share with other regions in the country.”

In the morning, an Orientation Seminar on the Skills Training Program was conducted where the Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Arwin Razo shared the Poverty Alleviation Agenda of DSWD and Sustainable Livelihood Program Coordinator, Earl Maximillian Cecilio discussed the implementation of the program. The sharing and discussions focused on the possible expenditures of the fund including its guidelines, requirements in the implementation and other concerns.

Also present during the Orientation and MOA Signing are the DSWD FOV Staff, BUEMD personnel, extension program implementers, COA Resident Auditor Cynthia Barajas, BU’s Administrative and Finance Team, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Population Commission and National Food Authority. By Rowena F. Zoilo/EMD

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EDITORIAL BOARD Renelyn E. Bautista, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief Mary Ann M. See Circulation Manager Joshua Caleb P. Pacleta Writer/Layout Artist/ Photojournalist Mary Joy P. Canon/BUCS Rowena F. Zoilo/EMD Yuan Placides/BUHS Contributors Reina O. Habalo, Ed.D. Helen M. Llenaresas, Ed.D. Editorial Consultants Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, Ph.D. Overall Consultant/Publisher