BICOL UNIVERSITY is the country’s Top Performing School in the June 2012 Licensure Examination for Social Workers, with 100% passing rate for its 57 examinees.

Bicol University is equally proud of two of its takers who made it among the top ten passers, nationwide: Rose Anne Caño Rosare, who ranked third, with a 86.50% rating; and Doris May Ann Balasta Baltar, who ranked seventh, with a 84.80% rating.

This is the fifth time that Bicol University has come out as top-ranking school for Social Work, the last one being in 2010 where the university garnered a 94 % passing rate. Though the passing

BU welcomes Queen of SpainGARBED in their Spanish-inspired Filipiniana attire, the BU President, Vice Presidents, Deans, and Directors joined thousands of Albayanos who eagerly welcomed Her Majesty, Queen Sofia of Spain on her visit to the Province of Albay on Wednesday, July 4, when she dropped by the Climate Change Academy within the Bicol University compound before noon.

Queen Sofia came to see the different Spanish-funded projects in Albay, particularly the Josefina Belmonte Duran Memorial District Hospital in Ligao City, the Camalig Emergency and Educational Shelter in Camalig Albay, and the Climate Change Academy, of which Bicol University is an active

Excellence is mea-sured in many

ways, and Bicol Univer-sity is committed to de-liver the best. We have proven ourselves, once again, to the communi-ty by being recognized as the Top Performing School for the 2012 So-cial Work Licensure Ex-aminations.

The steadily in-creasing number of organizations forging partnerships with us is a strong affirmation of our recognition not just in the local community but even internation-ally. Let us all be proud to be a BUeño, and yet be humble in continu-ing our earnest labor towards keeping that culture of excellence.

Excellence is not in what we say, but in what we do.

The President’sO U T B O X

ISSN 2094-3991 Volume 4, Issue 7 July 2012

rate for 2011 was 98.5%, BU was not eligible for top performing school as it did not make the “50 examinees” provision for the category, having only 65 out of 66

BU’s deans and directors grab a photo opportunity with Queen Sofia while with Albay Governor Joey Salceda and the BU President

examinees.With its track record, the

challenge is for the Social Work Department to maintain its perfor-mance in the years to come. ###

BU WELCOMES...-p 4

partner. Witnesses, including BU

officials and other employees attest

to the warmth and kindness of the Queen, who, they say, wanted to

BU is Top Performing School; boasts 100% passing & 2 top ten placers in Social Work Licensure

the BUzzette2 JULY 2012

and preserving Sagumayon River.During the open forum that followed,

questions asked revolved around the root cause of Sagumayon River pollution. Answers to the questions pointed to the lack of political will, illegal settlements, and lack of law enforcement.

Lectures filled much of the two-day conference. Engr. Rey Monreal and Engr. Jay Ricario of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) discussed “The Sagumayon River: Prospects, Opportunities, and Threats” and :Climate Change Adaptation Practices in the Sagumayon River” respectively. Ms. Arlene Dayao of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau discussed the “Sagumayon Flood Risk Map”. Engr. Albert Buban, Pollution Control Officer of CHEVRON discussed “Sustainable Approach to Manage the Sagumayon River”. After his discussion, Prof. Julieta Gonzales, Professor I – BU College of Agriculture and Forestry, discussed “Sagumayon Platform of Action to Address DRRM and CCA”.

After the lectures, the participants made action plans to help resolve the issues concerning Sagumayon River. The participants were divided into five groups: Local Government Unit of Daraga; Local Government Unit of Legazpi; Academe; Media; and Multi-sectoral Group (Government/ Non-Government Agencies, People’s Organizations, Religious Organizations, and Business Establishments/ Industries). At the end of the workshop, the participants came

up with various ways in which the issues could be solved. Prof. Gonzales summed up all the outputs of the groups, citing ways in which issues related to Sagumayon River would hopefully be resolved through social mobilization, values assessment and formation, physical interventions, and education.

The closing ceremonies was made more meaningful with representatives from every group/sector giving their pledge and commitment to the Sagumayon River advocacy. The participants also received challenges from Dr. Lauraya as well as Forester Rodolfo Matusalem of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). Dr. Lauraya and For. Matusalem were one in asking for continued support for the advocacy and for everyone to do everything in their capacity to further spread the news of caring for Sagumayon River.

Signed in 2007, the Memorandum of Agreement for the creation of the SRMC was made due to the urgent need to control deteriorating water quality and biodiversity of the river. It also served as an answer to the State’s policy “to protect the right of the people to have a healthy and safe environment”. (Bran Darius Nasayao/NSTP)

Special guests for the opening program were Board Members Herbert Borja and Arnold Embestro, Province of Albay; Hon. Geraldine Rosal, Mayor of City of Legazpi; Hon. Cherry Mayor, Liga ng Barangay President of Municipality of Daraga; Hon. Mabel Tan, Councilor of Municipality of Daraga; Dr. Fay Lea Patria Lauraya, BU President; and Ms. Nelly Barizo of Department of Environment and Natural Resources V. Due to an equally important activity, Albay Provincial Governor Joey Salceda was not able to attend and was represented by Board Members Borja and Embestro. In their messages, both expressed appreciation for such an undertaking. They also expressed support in the activities of SRMC in preserving and rehabilitating Sagumayon River.

Hon. Geraldine Rosal also expressed delight in the undertaking. She likewise advised everyone present to stop laying blame on one another and work together towards the rehabilitation of Sagumayon River.

In behalf of Hon. Gerry Jaucian, Mayor of Municipality of Daraga, Hon. Cherry Mayor expressed the municipality’s commitment in the Sagumayon River advocacy. She also echoed Mayor Rosal’s sentiments and relayed full support to the council’s activities.

As part of her message, Dr. Lauraya, SRMC Chairman talked about the history of the SRMC. She touched on multi-sectoral partnerships forged under the common goal of rehabilitating

BUGS forges partnership with SEDP; renews with BCDITHE BICOL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL (BUGS) held its Launching and Orientation Program for the BCDI-SEDP-BUGS Capacity Building Scholarship Program on July 5, at the BUCN Amphitheatre. No less than the BU President, Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, welcomed the guests and participants to the occasion.

Dean of the Graduate School of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), who gave information and insights on improving local government management in the Philippines. She expressed willingness to tie up with Bicol University in order to help strengthen its DLGM program, towards improving capacity building endeavors for local governance throughout the country. Mr. Jose Misael Moraleda, President of the Bicol Microfinance Council, Inc. (BMCI), likewise gave a solidarity message in support of the two programs, particularly that of the SEDP-Simbag sa Pag-asenso, Inc. Fr. Jovic Lobrigo, President of both the Bicol Consortium for Development Initiatives (BCDI) and the SEDP-Simbag sa Pag-asenso, Inc., articulated his satisfaction on their partnership with Bicol University, and verbalized his intention to continue sharing advocacies with the university. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement served as affirmation to the partnerships. (Ma. Celina G. Meneses/OP)

Joining forces in solving common problems will go a long way...

BCDI and SEDP scholars pay close attention to Dr. Mercado’s first lecture (left photo); MOA-signing: keeping old friends and making new ones...

degree in Master in Entrepreneurship. A total of 30 BCDI scholars for the Diploma in Local Government Management (DLGM), and 22 SEDP scholars for Master in Entrepreneurship are now enjoying the capacity-building programs. The launch and orientation program was graced by keynote speaker Dr. Gloria J. Mercado,

On its fourth year of partnership with BU, the Bicol Consortium for Development Initiatives (BCDI) renewed its Memorandum of Agreement with the university, and brought with them the Socio-Economic Development Program (SEDP)-Simbag sa Pag-asenso, Inc. to seal another scholarship program, this time for a

Stakeholders participate in Learning Conference for Sagumayon River ManagementAS PART of the Sagumayon River Management Council’s (SRMC) celebration of their fifth year anniversary, a seminar-workshop entitled, “Salog Ko, Buhay Ko! A Multi-stakeholders Learning Conference on Sagumayon River Management” was held on July 13 to 14, 2012 at the Climate Change Academy, Bicol University Compound Legazpi City.

the BUzzette 3JULY 2012

The facilitators of the Peace Forum with their professor, PCSupt. Charles T. Calima, PESE, DPA, Ed.D.

BU spearheads K to 12 regional training for SUCs

In attendance were Instructors, Assistant Professors, Professors, and other teachers of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs), and Local Community Colleges (LCCs) who are teaching either basic education, or BEEd and BSEd Content, Major, or Professional Courses where retooling is needed in connection with the implementation of the K-12 educational reform. Included among the participants were other teachers handling BEEd and BSEd students who will be teaching basic education.

Tackled during the training were the General Curriculum Framework/Policy Guidelines for the Implementation of K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum, presented through a video from the Department of

Education (DepEd); Assessment in the K to 12 Curriculum; Teaching Mother Tongue in Grade 1 or Lower Primary (Implementing MTB-MLE); and the Conceptual Frameworks, Contents, and Strategies in Teaching Grade 1 Araling Panlipunan, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, MAPEH, English, and Filipino.

During the summer, BU, together with DepEd, had successfully trained the basic education teachers for grade 1 and grade 7, particularly from the public elementary and high schools under the Department of Education.

BU President Lauraya stressed that these educational reforms will lead the country towards a more progressive economy, as it will produce more highly competitive and globally employable Filipinos. ###

BICOL UNIVERSITY College of Education (BUCE), in fulfillment of its roles as Center of Excellence for Teacher Education, Center of Teaching Excellence, and Center of Training and Executive Proponent of the K to 12 Training of Teachers, spearheaded a Regional Training of Teachers for Grade 1 and Grade 7 of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum at the College of Education Demo Hall on July 16-20 (Batch 1), and July 23-27 (Batch 2).

K to 12 will make our graduates employable not only in the country but in the entire world.

BUGS’ PhD PASA holds Peace Forum in CrameBICOL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL’S (BUGS) PhD PASA students in Camp Crame, Quezon City, taking up the subject PhD PASA 314, Peace Negotiation, Resolution and Mediation under PCSupt. Charles T. Calima, PESE, DPA, Ed.D., professorial lecturer and PNP’s current director of the Directorate for Intelligence Group (PNP IG), sponsored a forum entitled, ‘Current Issues and Challenges on Philippine Peace Initiatives’ last July 27, at the PNPTS Center for Law Enforcement Studies, in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Invited participants were students from the University of the Philippines (UP) and other schools, senior officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The forum was highly significant considering that peace talks are in full swing these recent months. Resource persons from both sides of the negotiating team graced the occasion. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, member, Government of the Philippines (GPH) Negotiating Panel for Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Professor of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Philippines (UP), talked about the government’s initiatives on the peace process and explained a comprehensive overview of the GPH-MILF. She likewise talked about President Noynoy’s parameters on the negotiation process with emphasis on lessons learned from past negotiations, GPH’s ability to deliver its commitments, and inclusiveness and transparency

to restore public trust and confidence in the peace process.

The second resource person, Ma. Veronica Tabara, widow of slain rebel leader, Arturo Tabara and the present leader (with Stephen Paduano) of the RPMP/RPA/ABB, talked about important perspectives from the other side. Among other things, it was pointed out that the GPH are negotiating with their group for an agreement to include development projects, confidence building measures, disposition of arms and forces and their transformation into a legal, unarmed, socio-economic organization.

It was noteworthy to learn that both sides go into an agreement acceptable to both parties in dispute. The peace process has been a prolonged series of actions and activities, dating back to the

1990s, but continues to maintain the initiative and flexibility on the part of the negotiating parties.

The forum was highlighted by the keynote speech by Undersecretary Felizardo M. Serapio, Jr., retired 2-star general, and presently the Executive Director of Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. USec. Serapio underscored essential schemes and approaches he exercised in dealing with the terrorist groups and other bad elements in Mindanao.

BU Graduate School Dean Nora L. Licup manifested her appreciation and support to the activity by gracing the affair and delivering the Opening Remarks. (Ma. Della Rañeses-Cruz/BUGS)

BU holds 3rd internal quality audit “WE ARE ALREADY THERE!” are the words of inspiration uttered by Bicol University President Fay M. Lauraya during the closing conference of the 3rd Internal Quality Audit, successfully carried out from July 23 to 30. Internal audits have become a regular institutional activity, in constant adherence to the ISO 9001:2008 quality management standards. The next external audit will be held in November this year.

Dr. Lauraya expressed confidence in the 35 internal quality auditors (IQAs), congratulating them for a job well done, and declaring that the university is one of the top universities in the country as a result of the hard work put into pursuing this ISO certification. According to her, while other universities are preparing a

performance-based standard to measure their achievements in terms of key result areas, BU is working on accomplishing them already.

During the exit conference on July 30, the IQAs assigned to the different units and offices reported strengths and weaknesses of each unit/office, and highlighted non-conformances to the standards, as well as points for improvement. It was observed that while in past audits the auditees showed resistance to the evaluations, this time they were willing to surface their weaknesses, in their sincerity to correct and eventually perfect the system.

It is targeted that come November, there will be no reports of non-conformance, and only a maximum of 12 observations, for the university to maintain its certification. ###

Internal quality auditors in action (top photo); Dr. Lauraya, never failing to inspire...

BU WELCOMES...(from p1)

the BUzzette4 JULY 2012

the BUzzettethe BUzzette EDITORIAL BOARD:

Editorial Consultants: Dr. Helen M. Llenaresas • Dr. Reina O. Habalo Overall Consultant: Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya

Editor-in-chief: Dr. Ma. Celina G. MenesesAssociate Editor: Prof. Viveth G. Morcozo

Managing Editor: Ms. Merly J. LoriaCirculation Manager: Ms. Mary Ann M. See

Photo Journalist: Earl Epson L. Recamunda

BICOL UNIVERSITY welcomes its first foreign undergraduate student. He is Byung Jun Min or Paul, as he wants his friends to call him. He is a Korean. Paul is not a new student in the Philippines, as he graduated from Legazpi Hope Christian School for his high school education. He applied again for his student visa so he can enroll at Bicol University after passing the BUCET. Paul is now a freshman taking BS Chemistry under the Department of Chemistry in BU College of Science.

Since school year 2000-2001, Bicol University has been the choice of 12 foreign students enrolled in various graduate degree programs. Their nationalities include American, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian.

As BU gears towards recognition in the international academic stage, the administration hopes that more foreign students will choose to enroll among any of the 112 courses lodged in the 12 colleges and 7 campuses of Bicol University. (Samuel C. Bobiles/GLO@BU Director)

BU takes a dose of Libon’s Rural TourismTO CELEBRATE the Paray Festival of Libon, Albay, Mayor Agnes Dycoco invited on July 20 to 22, 2012, participants from different government agencies and members of the private sector of Albay to a one-of-a-kind experience aptly tagged as the “Rural Tourism Experience of Libon” which aimed to showcase the geographical and cultural treasures the municipality has to offer by having foreign and local tourists experience the life of the typical Bicolano probinsyano living in the rural areas. Activities such as rice planting, carabao back riding, lunch by the lake, fishing, and trekking were some of the activities lined up for Libon’s guests.

The delegates of Bicol University (Dr. Ma. Celina Meneses, Dr. Reina Habalo, Prof. Joel Habalo, Prof. Mary Anne Logronio and myself) were scheduled for Rural Tourism Package 3 on July 22, with only a vague idea of what it was going to be. The adventure began with a 20 minute rainy drive to Barangay Harigue where it finally dawned on us that this Rural Tourism Experience would not be a walk in the park but more like a walk through a river. Mentally girding our loins and literally hiking up our jeans, we padded through mud slick natural pathways and waded through the thigh-high flowing waters of the Gogongan River. We were surprisingly treated to the most intense foot spa and a week’s worth of cardio workout as we climbed rocks and braved rushing waters to the

picturesque Gogongan Falls. All these physical exertions in the midst of breathtaking scenery many are unaware the Bicol Region is enriched with. When we finally got there, it was worth slipping in mud and falling face first in the water.

In retrospect getting there was only half of what made the experience worthwhile as we were struck by how fortunate we Bicolanos are to be blessed with such divinely exotic natural wonders. The other half was what greeted us upon reaching our destination: the warm smiles and the culinary delight prepared for us by our gracious host, Barangay Harigue Barangay Captain and her Kagawads. After feasting on Tinutungan na Native na Manok (organic chicken cooked in coconut milk), Gulay na Apay (Gabi leaves cooked in coconut milk), Picadillo (Fish cooked

in coconut milk), Ibos (steamed rice puddings wrapped in coconut leaves) and unlimited servings of buko (young coconut), we felt nothing but fond gratitude for such a physically challenging yet truly one-of-a-kind experience.

As members of the party portioned out their opinions, we could not help but appreciate and admire Libon’s own take at tourism. While others are bent on building artificial wonders to lure tourists, Libon’s humble take on tourism is a welcome change. Other towns, municipalities and provinces could sure use a dose of Libon’s Rural Tourism Extperience. It’s natural, healthy and definitely organic! (Ma. Crestia Bañares/BUCBEM)

shake hands with everyone, which she did as best as she could, despite the fact the that security had prohibited this of the public. Her efforts at showing her appreciation for the warm welcome she received was highly apparent in her smiles and the non-stop waving of her hand.

Soon after she had arrived, and before she went to visit said sites, she had gone straight from the airport to the Peñaranda Park for the unveiling of the statue of the Spanish Jose Maria Peñaranda, the first governor of Albay.

Queen Sofia is said to be only the second foreign dignitary to visit the province, the first being Pope John Paul II in 1981. Her visit was made possible through the efforts of Albay Provincial Governor Joey Sarte Salceda. ###

Gogongan falls: half of the experience is getting there...

BU admits first foreign undergrad student