GAD features women’s capacity to address climate change

Empowered women can  make change.

The Gender and Development (GAD)   celebrated the  International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018  with emphasis on the capacity of  women to address the problem of climate change.

The resource persons, all women,   rallied the faculty, staff and students to act and help in mitigating the effect of the climate change.

Ms. Katherine Firmeza, presented the different perspective of women’s role in her talk entitled Women in Climate Action.  She was the former Senior Program Coordinator of the Climate Change Commission-United Nation Development Program– New Zealand Assistance Program Project ReBUILD.

Prof. Rosanna R.Dureza, over-all coordinator, distribute goodies to the female staff and faculty members to mark the International Women’s Month Celebration.

The women in science and technology was discussed by Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF) President Dr. Godelyn G. Hisole. She also underscored womens’ capacity to make changes. Dr. Hisole was a faculty member and the first Dean of the College of Engineering of ISAT U before  becoming president of the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF), Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

To stress  the power of women in environmental awareness,  Ms. Flosyl Piad-Almirante was invited as resource person in the Lecture-Forum on the Youth and Climate Change. Ms Almirante is the Environment and Natural    Resource Officer of the Municipality of Dumangas Iloilo.  She accentuated   that the Philippines is fourth of the most affected  country by climate change  and the role of Filipino youth and women to help heal the environment.

Aside from lectures,  free blood sugar testing, health check-up, free massage and health lectures were  given to the faculty and staff as part of the International Women’s Month celebration.

 

ISAT U showcases researches in CHEd’s techno fair

ISAT U research projects are some of the products of the State Universities and Colleges of Western Visayas  featured in the regional techno fair.

With its mandate in science and technology, ISAT U showcased its researches in the Regional State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) Products and Technology Fair 2019 at the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Central Office, Quezon City on May 6-10, 2019.

The product and technology expo is part of the Commission’s 25th Founding Anniversary on May 18, 2019. The Commission was created as an attached agency to the Office of the President through the passage of Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act in 1994.

In response to the objectives to showcase the regions products and technology which the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) have invented, created, developed and produced, ISAT U presented projects that reflect the University’s thrust in research and development. The projects also help in the socio-economic and technological advancement of the region.

CHEd Chair J. Prospero De Vera reads on the details of  ISAT U’s researches presented by Dr. Raul F. Muyong.

Among those are the USAID-RTI funded researches. The Multi-Powered Drying System for Food Processing utilizing solar power and alternative electric energy which has already provided a continuous livelihood activity to seaweeds farmers even during inclement weather. On the other hand, the research on “Bioactive Hyaluronic Acid (HA) from the Heads of Silver-banded Whiting for Nutraceutical Use,” confirms the bioactive compounds with high anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and high moisturizing properties beneficial for cell regeneration in the HA extracts of the fish. Meanwhile, the Valorization of Brown Seaweeds Through Alginate Extraction promises an added shelf life to post-harvest mango and silver-banded whiting.

Other researches showcased were The Valve Spring Remover with Seal Puller that remove defective valve spring and valve seal from a cylinder head without pulling out the assembly from the engine; the Egg Incubator that utilizes power from solar and electrical grid, thus minimizing energy consumption; and the Coffee Pulper that decreases the damage coffee bean to at least 10%, thereby, increasing its selling price.

Attuned to the theme, ”Celebrating 25 Years towards Access, Equity, and Global Excellence in Higher Education,” ISAT U’s presentation reflects its goal of providing excellent education in science and technology.

ISAT U ranks 3rd in accredited programs nationwide

A pose with CHED Commissioner Perfecto A. Alibin (fourth from left). In photo are (l-r) Dr. Ramil Lumauag, Dr. Merlinda C. Buenviaje, , Dr. Renelda P. Nacianceno, Dr. Raul F. Muyong Dr. Manuel A. Sanchez, Jr., Dr. Noel Quidato, Dr. Armi A. Alimoot and Ms. Wynona C. Caldito.

Iloilo Science and Technology University  continues its culture of  excellence .  With 98.33% rating,  it was recognized as  the  Top 3 among the nation’s State Colleges and  Universities (SUCs) in terms of percentage  of accredited programs  for the period of 1992-2018.

The  award was given by the Accrediting Agency of  Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) on its 32nd Annual National  Conference at the Century Park  Hotel, Manila on March 6, 2019.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong is one of the invited speakers of the AACCUP 32nd Annual National  Conference.

Dr. Renelda P. Nacianceno, Quality   Assurance  Director, said that the number of   programs accredited  reflects the  University’s commitment to bring quality tertiary education and it is a testament of hard work to achieve the quest for excellence.

As per AACCUP consolidated list of  institutions and programs granted accreditation status (1992-2018), ISAT U has 13 Level III re-accredited programs, 30 Level II  re-accredited and 1 Level I accredited.

Previously, ISAT U was also ranked  3rd in the AACCUP Search for Outstanding State  Colleges and Universities on February 201

 

ISAT U joins Dinagyang Festival

As part of its extension services and community engagement, the University participated in the different activities of the world renowned Dinagyang Festival on January 26 and 27, 2019.  Tribu Panganinao,  the ISAT U tribe for the festival, wowed the crowd as it portrayed the Ilonggo way of life in dances and cultural presentation during the Kasadyahan street parade. The ISAT U performers joined as a non-competing group to give additional color to the celebration and to entertain the guests.

The bloodletting activity allows students, faculty and staff to help humanity by donating their blood.

In its commitment to social responsibility, the University through the Extension Services Division also joined the Dinagyang Blood Olympics. It is a project to generate blood donations for the Philippine National Red Cross. The students, faculty and staff donated 23 bags of blood.

The ushers and the usherettes, (left) and the students with their creations in the gala fashion show.

Dinagyang is also an avenue of learning for Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Technology (BSHRT) and Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design and Merchandising (BSFDM) students. The BSHRT students served as ushers and usherettes in the Miss Dinagyang Beauty Pageant while the BSFDM students displayed their creations in pageant’s gala fashion show.

 

COE-EC launches Project UNGKA DOS

Prof Leander S. Gregorios meets with Brgy. Officials for envisioning the barangay’s Vision, Mission and Goals.

The College of Education-Extension Council (COE-EC) launched Project UNGKA DOS at Brgy. Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo as part of its extension services and community engagement.

Project UNGKA DOS which stands for Upgrading and Nurturing Green Knowledge with Accountability, Development-Outcomes and Sustainability is designed to improve the community’s life and for its total development.

“The project has six areas of services– Education, Economic, Socio-Cultural, Political, Physical and Environmental,” COE Extension Coordinator Prof. Leander S. Gregorios explained. “Each areas has its specific activities and projects conducted by the college and its collaborators,“ he added.

One of the activities is the envisioning of Ungka Dos Vision, Mission and Goals (VMG) conducted on November 2018. Headed by COE Dean Dr. John Eric V. Juaneza, the faculty and students of Educational Management course conducted series of lectures. The activity institutionalizes the barangay’s VMG and organize the community for the smooth flow of delivery of basic services and attain sustainability.

The actual demonstration of the T-shirt printing.

The skills training on T-shirt printing, dressmaking and tailoring, and building wiring installation for unemployed men, women and youth started on October 27. The six months training commenced with T-shirt printing activity conducted by the Technical and Livelihood Education teachers and students. The output of the participants was used by the barangay in the municipality’s Tigkaralag Festival.

The Youth Rocks U is another activity that empowers the involvement and participation of the youth in the activities and programs of the community, emphasizes the role and responsibilities of the youth and builds and develops self-confidence and unity among them. The Educator’s Guild help in facilitating the two-day activity on December 8-9.

Part of the program is Project Kaalwan or gift giving activity. The first recipient of the activity is Ungka II Elementary School.

“Since this is a continuing project, more activities contained in the different areas of services will be conducted in the barangay, “said Dr. Juaneza.

University library upgrades facilities

Dr. Raul F. Muyong and the library staff receive the books from CCPTA, Inc. officers.

The university library acquired additional materials and updated its facilities to address the needs of the students and in preparation for the offering of new courses for Academic Year 2019-2020.

“The purchase of 1.4 million pesos worth of books is now on process. It is the 80% of selection and requests by the faculty during the 2018 Book Fair. The amount to be used for the purchase is from the library fees,” said Ms. Ninfa G. Geloryao, University Librarian.

Aside from the library fees, the deans of different colleges also pledged to allocate an amount from the 2019 budget for the purchase of additional materials. “We are looking forward that another 2 million pesos worth of books will be available at the Library soon,” Ms. Geloryao added.

The new tables, chairs and cabinets (above) and the on-going completion of the library building.

The College, Community, Parents and Teachers Association (CCPTA), Inc. also donated 58 volumes of 47 titles of books on various subjects. The 20 thousand pesos worth of materials was turned-over by CCPTA, Inc. President Edgar Salazar to the University on January 29, 2019. Mr. Salazar aired the commitment of the organization to help modernizing the library.

Aside from additional materials, modern furniture, office equipment, reading facilities and four-channel CCTV cameras were installed.

The library online resources has also started its link to ISAT U website. The online facility features the vision, mission and goals, objectives, rules and regulations and the personnel. It also offers the Library services, resources and activities. Feed backs and comments can also be channeled online.

The completion of the library building is already at 47% as of January 2019. “If completed, it will be a modern facility that will offer an ambience conducive for studying and learning activities, “Ms. Geloryao added.

The library also passed the Level III and is gearing for Level IV accreditation sometime this year.

CSC recognizes ISAT U’s PRIME-HRM compliance

CSC RO 6 Regional Director Rodolfo B. Encajonado congratulates ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong and Human Resource Management Officer Mr. Bonnie S. Arenal while CSC Iloilo City Field Office Director John Esar T. David and CSC Director III Atty. Alexis S. Palomar-Tabino look on.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Regional Office VI awarded a certificate of recognition to Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) for passing the on-site accreditation for Maturity Level II of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in the Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) during the awarding ceremony at Casa Real, Iloilo Provincial Capitol on March 4, 2019.

Among the 23 awardees in the region, ISAT U is one of three from the Province of Iloilo and the only state university given the recognition.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong and ISAT U staff pose with CSC executives. From left, ISAT U administrative staff Mr. John P. Mandario, CSC Iloilo Field Office Director John Esar T. David, CSC Regional Director Rodolfo B. Encajonado, ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong, HRM Officer Mr. Bonnie S. Arenal, HRMO staff Ms Arvic Dolendo,  and ISAT U Public Information Officer Prof. Heinz Gumaguil.

The University met the Human Resource (HR) maturity level 2 indicators in four (4) core HR Systems particularly Recruitment, Selection and Placement (RSD), Learning and Development (L&D), Performance Management (PM), and Rewards and Recognition (R&R) in the Enhanced PRIME-HRM using three lenses namely : Systems, Practices and Competencies. The on—site assessment was conducted by Mr. Ramon P. Refugio, Jr. and Mr. Megel G. Tembrevilla, of the Policies and Systems Evaluation Division of the CSC Regional Office VI on October 10-12, 2018.

Under the systems lenses, the assessors looked into the ISAT U’s documentation, such as files that support the HRM system policies, and procedures. In the practices lenses , the assessors conducts interviews with the HRM Officer and the key university officials to find out their level of understanding and engagement in the four core areas while under the competencies lens, the assessor determines the capabilities of the HRM Office using the proficiency level indicators.

15 programs pass AACCUP assessment

The accreditors check on the compliance of the different areas of accreditation.

Fifteen programs of the five ISAT U campuses pass the assessment of the Accrediting Agency for Chartered College and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.  in a  survey visit   conducted on November 19-23, 2018.

At Iloilo City Campus, the Doctor of  Education major in Educational Management and the     Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant   Technology (BSHRT)  passed the Level III   (Phase I) accreditation.

On the other hand, the Master in Mathematics,  Doctor in Industrial Technology (majors in Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, Civil Technology), and the Master of Industrial Technology passed the Level II re-accreditation .

The BS HRT and Bachelor in Industrial Technology (BIT) majors in Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, and Architectural Drafting Technology at Barotac Nuevo Campus  were awarded Level II re-accreditation status.

At Miagao Campus, the BS in Information Technology, BSHRT, BS in Electrical Technology, BS in Electronics Technology, BS in Automotive Technology, BIT (majors in Architectural Drafting Technology, Cosmetology, Fashion and Apparel Technology, Food Technology, HVAC-R     Technology, WAF Technology) passed the Phase I of two for Level III accreditation while the  Bachelor  of  Elementary Education passed the Level II re-accreditation.

The BS in Agriculture (majors in Agricultural  Education, Crop Science, Animal Science and Agro-forestry)  at Leon Campus was also awarded  a Level II re-accreditation status.

 

Beneficiaries receive RA 10931 education subsidy

One thousand and three hundred eighty (1,380) beneficiaries from ISAT U received the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 or the RA 10931 on January 14, 2019.

Of the total beneficiaries, Miagao Campus has 630 recipients, Leon Campus, 440; Barotac Nuevo Campus, 209 and Dumangas Campus, 101. Each beneficiary received payment for June 2018  to January 2019 subsidy. RA 10931 grants Php 20,000 per semester (Php 4,000/month) to qualified beneficiaries.

Prior to the distribution, the beneficiaries and their parents were oriented on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 10931.

In the orientation, (above photo) Dr. Raul F. Muyong emphasizes to use the money to where is it due and (below) a parent calls on all beneficiaries to use the money for poverty alleviation  for the needs of the students.

Ms. Donna Marie Magbanua, DSWD Institutional Partnership and Development Officer of NGAA , explained the manner of selection and the plans of the department for assessment and admission of additional beneficiaries.

UniFAST Coordinator, Ms. Christine A. Real, reviewed the qualification of the beneficiaries, the scope of free tuition and other fees and the duration of benefits of RA 10931. Satisfactory grades as retention requirement was also emphasized.

Ms. Real also recognized the quality education the university offers, “Congratulations again because ISAT U is offering quality education, lahat kasi ng courses approved and recognized by CHEd.” According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR),  only students enrolled in courses recognized by CHED may avail the subsidy.

“Would there be any reason for you student not to pass with your subject and not to graduate? Education is the greatest tool against ignorance. Graduate. Graduate. Graduate,” was the challenge posed by Ms. Real after discussing the IRR of the TES.

Halungan ta ang kwarta nga ginhatag sang gobyerno kanaton. Gamiton ta ang kwarta para makalakbay sa kaimulon. Gamiton ta ti sakto, (We will take care of the money granted by the government. We will utilize it to the fullest to get out of poverty)” was the message of a parent to all the attendees of the orientation during the open forum.

This is relevant to the call of ISAT U President Dr, Raul F. Muyong for all students to study hard and make use of the opportunity given to them and for the parents to support their children. A total of 2, 690 parents and student beneficiaries attended the orientation.

Capacitating communities: ISAT U’s commitment to social responsibility

Prof. Rosanna R. Dureza, project leader, explains the progress of the program to Mr. Tim Sterwardson, New Zealand Deputy Head of Mission (2nd from right) and Ms. Gemma Regina Cunanan (left) of the Philippine Climate Change Commission on their monitoring visit.

True to its commitment to social responsibility, ISAT U developed a program  geared to prevent loss of lives, properties and resources due to climate change hazards specifically rain-induced landslides  and to strengthen efforts towards climate change adaptation, mitigation and  resiliency.

With a pool of faculty members who have undergone trainings with Project Rebuild of the Climate Change Commission  (CCC)  and the Department of the Interior and  Local Government (DILG), a three-year (2018-2021) program  “Capacitating Communities in Mitigating  Impacts of Climate Change (CCMICC)” was conceptualized.

Part of the CCMICC is the “REDUCING DISASTER CAUSED BY RAIN-INDUCED LANDSLIDE: TRAINING FOR COMMUNITIES AND  NON-EXPERTS Project”.

ISAT U faculty members conduct community field work on landslide susceptibility assessment at Barangay La Consolacion, Miagao, Iloilo.

 The project  identified the Municipality of Miagao, Iloilo as the   partner Local Government Unit for implementation due to its vulnerability.  As of 2016, the Mines and  Geosciences Bureau (MGB)  Region 6 identified  Miagao as one of the municipalities in the Province of Iloilo  having many communities vulnerable to rain induced landslides.

After an exploratory talks with the local authorities of the municipality and a series of meetings with the geologists of the MGB, a site inspection and documentation of communities  in Miag-ao  with slope failures due to rain induced landslide was held on October 22-24, 2018.

The university, in collaboration with Kalinga State University   (KSU),  started conducting trainings in mitigating disaster caused by landslides to 120  non-expert individuals  in 24 barangays on November 7.

The training utilized a guidebook  and a landslide susceptibility assessment material develop by KSU.  It introduces procedures, practical techniques and technologies and involves a knowledge set easily understood by the locals.

Training of communities and non-experts in reducing disaster caused by rain-induced landslides at Miagao, Iloilo.

Aside from training on risk reduction on rain-induced landslides, the project will also  conduct a vulnerability risk assessment for the enhancement of the local climate change action plan, formulate  project  proposals  geared towards  climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency  to  access    climate finance  subsidy  e.g. People’s Survival Fund, initiate  the conduct of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory in the  Poblacion area of the  municipality ,  and to initiate  activities and engagements towards the possibility of green energy utilization in the Municipality of Miagao.

On December 7,  New Zealand Head of Mission Mr. Tim Stewardson with Rune Raphael Ylade and,   Ms. Gemma Regina Cunanan of the Philippine Climate Change Commission    visited the university for complete monitoring  and project evaluation .  Through the Climate Change Commission, the Project ReBuild of the New Zealand government is providing the financial support to the Municipality of Miagao for program implementation.

Miagao Mayor Macario Napulan expressed his gratitude and support to the program.  Meanwhile, according to Dr. Raul F. Muyong “this project is a testament of ISAT U’s social responsibility to help build resiliency in the community.”

In 2017, similar project was developed to help mitigate the effects of flood to the people of the Municipality of Zarraga, Iloilo which is located adjacent to Jalaur River, one of the biggest rivers in Iloilo Province.