ISSN 2094-3991 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2013

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) V and the Bikol Foundation for Higher Education (BFHE) conducted the first

Regional Higher Education Summit, gathering both public and private colleges and universities for the first time in the region. It was attended by over 500 participants from the colleges and universities in the six provinces of the region and government agencies like Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and officials from Local Government Units (LGUs). The keynote speaker, CHED Chairperson Patricia B.

Licuanan said that this event is a start of a good partnership among the HEIs for a better educational system in the region.“I think it is so that Bicol educational institutions can work together, so that they are more effective in doing their jobs. As Dr. Lauraya said, we are not doing this as individual institutions; we are doing this as Bicol Region,” Dr. Licuanan stated. Commissioner Licuanan discussed in her speech the Basic Perspectives on the Philippine Higher Education, Philippine

Higher Education Landscape, and Higher Education and Philippine Development including its two outcomes, (1) Filipinos with competencies and high level skills for National Development and Global Competitiveness; and (2) Ethical and Innovative Governance. CHED Regional Director and summit chairman, Dr. Freddie T. Bernal said that they involved basic education, vocational technology, HEIs and all other sectors in this first- time event. “There are cross-cutting issues that can be resolved through dialogues like this, of course, in consonance

BU reaches out to Yolanda victimsHEIs/ P2

Yolanda/ P3

The Bicol University Graduate School (BUGS) held its 3rd International Academic Colloquium on November 21 to 23 at the Concourse Convention Center, Legazpi City. Over 230 participants from different parts of the country and Asia attended the gathering. Honorable Roman T. Romulo, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education in the House of Representatives, was Keynote Speaker. The colloquium centered on the theme, “ASEAN 2015: Perspectives on People Mobility and their Implications

Colloquium/ P2

The super typhoon Yolanda (international name “Haiyan”) shocked the world when it hit the Visayas Region on November 8. With the alarming fact that disasters are already increasing in magnitude and intensity, this particular typhoon set the bar as the strongest typhoon ever recorded in the country. As a response to the emergency situation in the said region, Bicol University initiated consolidated efforts to be involved in the relief and recovery initiatives for the victims. The activity was dubbed “Operation BULIG (Bicol University

Bicol HEIs gather for 1st Summit

BU Graduate School holds 3rd Int’l Colloquium

BU students repack donations from the BU community for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda through Operation BULIG. (Photo courtesy of Operation BULIG)

Dr. Licuanan with the presidents and directors of the different Higher Education Instituations of Region V during the first Regional Higher Education Summit last Nov. 14, 2013. (Earl Recamunda)

THE PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

The educational landscape in the Philippines is fast changing. This month alone, we had a series of fora where issues and trends were taken up, in connection with the Public Higher Education Reform (PHER) Roadmap laid down by the Aquino administration.

For Bicol University, this is both a challenge and an opportunity, and I am proud that our university is certainly not going to be left behind. We have engaged ourselves in much preparation for these reforms, and implementation will be smooth and timely. Much work has yet to be done, particularly in revising curricula to fit new demands especially in the face of ASEAN 2015 and K12. But surely, we can do it.

Bicol University will not falter. As the landscape changes, we simply change with it and stay on top!

to assume a better responsive role in the Regional Development Plan(RDP). The Summit is pursuant to Republic Act 7722 known as “Higher Education Act of 1994” and Resolution no. 54 s. 2012 of the Regional Development Council (RDC), and aimed to determine present and emerging issues and concerns affecting the Higher EducationInstitutions (HEIs) in the region. At the end of the summit, all the outputs were endorsed to the Regional Development Council (RDC) to be forwarded to respective agencies for appropriate action.Siera Lou Mata (with reports from Jessica Rae Nolasco)

Financial Management Officer, the University Budget Officer, Chief Accountant, and the Directors of the Research and Development Center and the Extension Service Center. This early preparation of Work and Financial Plans is set to ensure the smooth flow of transactions and a more efficient delivery of services by the university to its clients for 2014. (Ma. Celina G. Meneses/OP)

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for the year, the University Budget Officer Mrs. Liliosa L. Perete who discussed its allotments vs obligations, and the University Chief Accountant, Atty. Loyd Casasis, who explained its cash utilization. Outputs of the workshop were presented to the evaluating team made up of the BU President, Vice Presidents, the Chief Administrative Officer, HRM Officer, Planning and Management Officer, Chief

The Philppine Association of State Universities and Colleges V (PASUC V) made history when it convened for the first time a joint Administrative Council of the nine SUCs in the Bicol Region During the opening ceremonies, President Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya urged the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Administrative Council to meet yearly. President Lauraya announced the plan for a yearly convention last November 13, during the pre-summit for the Regional Higher Education Summit 2013 of SUCs at the Bicol University Amphitheater. L a u r a y a ’ s announcement of SUCs yearly meeting was part of her keynote speech during the said event. “Presidents will agree with me if we do this more often. In coming together we have strength, and in talking and communicating closely with each other, we will

have a clearer vision of where SUCs in Bicol will go in the future. “ Matters concerning HEIs were the highlight of Lauraya’s remarks. Part of her keynote speech was the impact of the reformed basic educational system in the Philippines. She commended the K12 preparation of HEIs. “There are limitations to our participation in assisting in the reform; it is a reform in the basic education sector. We must therefore prepare differently as Higher Education Institutions.” Aside from the impact

of K12 to SUCs in the region, Lauraya talked about the preparation of public higher educational institutions in sending competent professionals in 2015 to ASEAN regions. She emphasized the importance of graduates having good credentials and the importance of SUCs in providing good education to their students. “For example, multinational companies do not owe any allegiance to a nation. So multinationals located in the country are not obliged to hire Filipinos. Credentials therefore will be the primary basis

regardless of nationality and race,” said Lauraya. Aligning the academic programs of SUCs in Bicol to the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) as well as aligning PQF to the qualifications framework of ASEAN will enhance the quality of education in the region, Lauraya elaborated. Larger SUCs funding, more centers of excellence, and application to higher forms of accreditation are some strategies she enumerated so that public HEIs in the region can be at par internationally. (Zanie Jovellana/Budyong)

WFP... from page 4

with the Regional Development Plan that envisions making Bicol Region the most livable region in 2020,” Dr. Bernal explained. Three topics affecting Higher Educational Institutions’ (HEIs) role in national development were discussed: “Bicol’s Regional Development Plan” was presented by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)Regional Director Atty. Romeo C.Escandor; “Promoting Philippine Competitiveness” was discussed by Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce President Clarine P. Tobias; and “Executive DevelopmentProgram for SUCs (EDPS): Its role in the Philippine Higher Education Roadmap” was explained by

“Appropriation for the Year: Use it or lose it” - Dr. Lauraya reminds the deans and directors of the importance of efficient utilization of funds during the opening of the Work and Financial Planning Workshop for 2014 last Nov. 4, 2013. (Earl Recamunda)

HEIs...from page 1

Moving as One - Presidents and representatives of the nine State Universities and Colleges of the Bicol Region commit to continue their partnership during the Higher Education Summit 2013: Pre-Summit for Public HEIs held at the BU Amphitheater last Nov. 13, 2013. (Earl Recamunda)

Lauraya pushes for SUCs’ joint Admin Council

the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Development Academy ofthe Philippines (DAP),Dr. Gloria J. Mercado. Being a convergence of representatives from HEIs and top-level officials of DepEd, TESDA, DILG and CHED the Summit served as an avenue for plenary sessions and workshops. The participants were grouped into four clusters namely: Basic Education Cluster, Technical-Vocational Cluster, Local Colleges Cluster and Higher Education Cluster. Eachgroup presented resolutions, technical papers and recommendations towards strengthening HEI’s capabilities

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– Loving, Inspiring and Giving)”, an indication of the university’s commitment and desire to be able to share materially and even psychosocially to the victims. “Bulig” is a Bicol and Visayan word for “help”. This activity supports the “Albay Helps” initiative of the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) through the leadership of Governor Joey Sarte Salceda. At the forefront of extension programs focused on the typhoon victims of Yolanda, President Lauraya immediately issued an office memorandum on November 11, directing the different colleges and units of the University to

send 100 student volunteers to repack relief goods daily. The schedule ran from November 11 to December 20, including weekends and holidays. In an objective to participate in the relief efforts through humanitarian assistance from donations that can provide food and other material assistance to the victims, the Extension Service Center (ESC) immediately called on the BUeños through the said memorandum, telephone calls, and a radio interview with the director of the ESC, to send in their donations in cash and kind. Volunteer students repacked relief goods in the

for Higher Education”. It featured local and international speakers who discussed topics and issues affecting educational institutions especially in the ASEAN region, in response to the inescapable globalization of education. Topics included: “Trends in Social Marketing in the Context in the Higher Education: An Entrepreneur‘s Perspective” by Ms. Pacita U. Juan, Founder and Social Entrepreneur of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle; “Transnational Education (TNE)” by Dr. Grace J. Alfonso, Chancellor of the UP Open University Diliman, Quezon City; “Passage to ASEAN 2015” by Mr. Jeroen G. Schedler, Assistant President for Internationalization and Concurrent Director of the P2A Secretariat of Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand; “Waste to Energy Solutions for Communities” by Dr. Stephen R. Thornberry, President of the Business Transformation

Partner (BTP) and General Manager of IMT Solutions in Angeles City; “Renewable Energy: Bridging Academic Research and Community Outreach” by Director Douglas W. Jackson of the Tenessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC), International Affairs, USA; “Development and Governance Challenges” by Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza, Executive Director of the AIM Policy Center; “Integrative Medicine: Its Place in the Public Health System” by Dr. Jaime Z. Galvez Tan; “Rural Development and Inclusive Growth” by Mr. Edicio G. Dela Torre, Consultant, Dept. of Agriculture, Quezon City; “Project NOAH: Addressing Disaster Prevention through Science” by Mr. Oscar V. Lizardo, Cheif, Science Research Specialist of Project Noah, DOST, Manila; “The Role of Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation in National Development” by William G. Padolina, National Academy

form of mats, used clothing and footwear, used beddings and blankets, candles and matches,rice, edible and non-edible grocery items including items for hygiene maintenance. A series of deliveries of the family packs were made to the Albay Provincial Capitol from November 15 to December 6. Cash donations were also received at the BU Cashier’s Office and the ESC Director’s Office. In addition, the ESC and NSTP Office coordinated with the Good Neighbors, Inc. (GNI), an international NGO, in facilitating the assignment of student volunteers upon their

request. The GNI’s relief goods included food packs (i.e., rice, water, canned goods, crackers), hygiene kits (i.e., pails, dippers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets, sanitary napkins), and educational facilities (i.e., school tents, tables and chairs, arm chairs). Their activities were conducted at the College of Engineering. Through these activities, the BU community was able to manifest the loving and giving part of the BULIG concept, and as such, inspire all to find fulfillment in helping others. (LDPavilando; KCTriunfante; MEMirandilla/BUESC)

of Science and Technology and former DOST Secretary; “Cross- Cultural Education in the ASEAN Context” by Prof. Awang Ideris Bin Awang Daud, Lecturer and Faculty of Social Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia; “Public- Private Partnership in Local Governance” by Hon. Mayor Noel E. Rosal of Legazpi City; “ASEAN 2015: Perspectives on People Mobility and their Implications for Higher Education” by Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, SUC President IV of Bicol University.

As proof of its commitment to the cause of the colloquium,a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding was made among Bicol University, Catanduanes State University, University of North Eastern Philippines, and Rangsit University (Thailand), for partnership in the Passage to ASEAN 2015. The colloquium served as the culminating activity of the BU Graduate School’s celebration of its 42nd anniversary. (Ma. Celina G. Meneses/OP)

Colloquium from page 1

Yolanda from page 1

BUCS bagged first and second place, and BUCN ran away with third place in the student category. PSU and CSPC placed first and second respectively in the professional category. Modest cash prizes were awarded to the winning presenters and their advisers. The forum is one of the strategies of the consortium to gather quality researches worthy of being published. One of the objectives in the 3-year strategic plan of BCHRD is to publish completed researches in peer-reviewed journals. (Maria Vicenta Corazon B. Guidote/BCHRD)

BCHRD from page 4

Hon. Roman T. Romulo expresses support to the colloquium during his keynote address at the BUGS 3rd International Coloquium held last Nov. 21, 2013. (Earl Recamunda)

A student presents her group’s research during the 1st Regional Health R&D Forum held at the BUCN Function Hall last Nov 4, 2013. (Jona Castañeda)

ISSN 2094-3991 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2013

The Editorial Board

Editoral Head: Dr. Ma. Celina Eladia G.

MenesesAssociate Editor:

Dr. Reina O. HabaloManaging Editor:

Ms. Merly J. Loria Photojournalist:

Earl Epson L. RecamundaCirculation Manager:

Ms. Mary Ann M. See Layout Artist:

Jona V. CastañedaEditorial Consultant:

Dr. Helen M. Llenaresas Overall Consultant:

Dr. Fay. Lea Patria M. Lauraya

Finally on November 21, 2013, after having been rescheduled due to typhoon Yolanda, the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) held its First Regional Health Research and Development Forum at the Function Hall of the Bicol University College of Nursing (BUCN) to showcase researches on health and health-related studies undertaken by students and professionals

On November 4 to 6, Bicol University officials, administrators, administrative staff, planning officers, and heads of office came together for its annual Work and Financial Planning Workshop, this time held at Sarung Bangui Resort, Sto. Domingo, Albay. This planning workshop is yet the earliest to be held compared to previous years where the activity would be held during the first quarter of the year. Because of changes in Department of Budget and Management (DBM) guidelines, work and financial plans of the institution should be submitted before the start of the year. Once again, with the help of their budget officers and planning officers, each college/campus dean or unit director/office head drew up their plans and projects for their respective units, based on their Key Result Areas (KRAs) and guided by the university’s priorities as set by BU President Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya at the beginning of the workshop. To further help them align their programs and projects for 2014, the year 2013 was presented in retrospect by the Chief Planning and Management Officer, Dr. Joseph L. Bartolata, together with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Helen M. Llenaresas who discussed the university’s ISO standing, the Financial Management Office Chief, Mrs.Monena J. Rodriguez who presented the financial analysis

BCHRD holds 1ST Regional Health R&D forum

from its member agencies and institutions. Highlight of the whole-day affair was the oral presentation of researches by faculty and students from Catanduanes State University (CSU), Partido State University (PSU), Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), Bicol University College of Science (BUCS), and BUCN, all vying for first, second and third place in professional and student categories.

BCHRD/ P3

WFP/ P2

WFP held early for 2014