Volume 21 | Issue No. 1 | January-March 2020 ISSN 0119-0725
NS Javier reiterates CPAf’s ‘raison d’être’
“T
he reasons for being of the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) before are still the same reasons that we face now.”This, National Scientist Emil Q. Javier said, during the 22nd anniversary of the college on Jan. 29 held at CPAf Rooms 303-304.
National Scientist Javier reminded the CPAf constituents of their continuing responsibility and capability to assist the local government units (LGUs) in the delivery of basic services and to help empower farmers and beneficiaries of agrarian reform, the very reasons why CPAf was created during his term as UP president (1993-1999).
“There is a recurring need for human resource development in the LGUs so that [they] can deliver
the services to the people. And we in the university can play that catalytic role,” he said, as he recalled how the Local Government Code of 1991 motivated his then administration to build the college, with Dr. Ruben Villareal as UPLB chancellor.
National Scientist Javier emphasized that with UPLB’s expertise in land use planning, watershed management, communal irrigation management, computerization, and tax mapping, among others, CPAf, with partner colleges, is in the position to help LGUs.
Among the country’s LGUs, he specified those under the recently created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as potential partners.
“There are a lot of
opportunities that we can look at and explore so that we can deliver those services through the LGUs, which are arms of government closest to the people,” he said.
The “Father of CPAf,”
as he was referred to by Dean Rolando Bello, also highlighted the college’s role in helping declare victory in agrarian reform with its research and extension capabilities.
He also articulated his overall recommendations to uplift the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries and farmers in the country.
“The better solution is [for]
those undivided agrarian reform lands [to be] organized into a corporation and a joint venture with investors.
And the member-beneficiaries (continued next page)
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CPAf UpdatesVolume 21 | Issue No. 1 | January-March 2020 CPAf Updates
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Volume 21 | Issue No. 1 | January-March 2020
become employees of the corporation [with] legal wages [and] are co- owners, so [sa] lahat ng kita meron silang dividends,” National Scientist Javier offered.
He also suggested to them to help and coach farmers in creating and enriching their cooperatives.
He also proposed involving farmers in contract growing where farmers will enter into agreements with integrators.
The latter will supply the seeds, breeding stock, fertilizers, feed, and medicines to the farmers. Come harvest time, the integrators will pay the farmers’ products at a fair price.
After his message, National Scientist Javier and Dean Bello took part in the recognition ceremonies
for seven outstanding personnel and five retirees of the college.
Dr. Merlyne Paunlagui and Dr. Ruth Ortega-Dela Cruz were named as outstanding faculty researcher and teacher, respectively.
Maria Francesca Tan and Dhanicca Amor Domingo obtained
the outstanding researcher honors for senior and junior categories, respectively; while Dr. Eileen Lorena Mamino received the outstanding extensionist trophy.
Outstanding administrative personnel awards were given to Anna Karizza Lim-Punzalan (office
personnel) and Orlando Felismino, Jr.
(blue collar personnel).
Meanwhile, the retirees were researchers Agnes Chupungco, Dulce Elazegui, and Francisca Tan, and administrative aides Adelaida Cosa and Ernesto Del Rosario.
Article by Mark Jayson E. Gloria and was first published in the UPLB News and Updates.
NS Javier reiterates...
(from cover page)KMO revisits mandate, creates 3-year roadmap
N
ow on its seventh year, the Knowledge Management Office (KMO) of CPAf reviewed its accomplishments, revisited its mandate, and planned and prioritized activities and tasks.Held on March 5, 2020 at the KMO Training Room, the KMO review and planning workshop was designed for review, reflection, planning, and tasking. Atty. Damcelle T. Cortes, assistant professor of CPAf, designed and facilitated the workshop.
Since its operation in July 2012, the KMO has been extending various support services to the College. To give an overview of what the Office has achieved so far, Dr.
Evelie P. Serrano, the current KMO head, shared the key accomplishments during the leadership of former KMO heads, Prof. Nelson Jose Vincent B.
Querijero and Dr. Jaine C. Reyes. She also presented the recent outputs since she assumed the KMO head position in August 2018 as well as the ongoing and future activities of the Office.
Established under the Office of the Dean when CPAf was restructured in 2011, the KMO has three components consistent with its mandates/aims: modernized library, knowledge generation and exchange hub, and academic and administrative monitoring and evaluation nexus.
Atty. Cortes dubbed these three major functions of the KMO as resource hub, learning center, and MIS office, respectively.
Prior to the workshop, KMO staff and head were asked to identify
their current tasks to determine what the office and its members have been doing. These tasks were compared with the KMO mandate. Atty. Cortes presented a summary of the KMO’s current tasks vis-à-vis its three major functions. She noted other functions performed by the KMO staff that are not directly aligned with its functions.
During the discussion, participants also shared the challenges and concerns they have encountered in performing their tasks.
To have a perspective on what other KM offices have been doing, Dr. Celeste H. Cadiz was invited to talk about her experiences as former head of the KM program of SEARCA. She emphasized the importance of open communication (interface) with other units and
having a better understanding of the organization’s strategic plan. She also shared some guiding principles in knowledge management.
After the review and reflection sessions, KMO planned their activities using the Eisehower Matrix for the period of three years (2020-2022). KMO identified their priorities by urgency and importance.
Regular release of publications, review of protocols and guidelines, security and updating of library collections were among the activities identified as urgent and important (2020).
Lastly, Atty. Cortes led the discussion on internal protocols to determine how the tasks should be done and what can be improved
in the process of assigning and accomplishing tasks. Clarifications were made regarding the common requests from the KMO.
“The KMO Review and Planning Workshop was very useful as we try to improve our services for the College and its staff and students,” Dr. Serrano said in her closing remarks. She added that the activity helped the KMO set a clearer direction and focus.
The KMO Review and Planning Workshop was organized by the Office of the Dean. Aside from the KMO staff and head, the CPAf Executive Committee headed by Dean Rolando T. Bello attended the activity. by Stella Concepcion R.
Britanico
KMO revisits...
(from page 2)(continued in page 3)
University Council Approves Proposed MDMG Program Revisions
T
he UPLB University Council has approved the proposal for the revision of the Master in Development Management and Governance (MDMG) on February 11, 2020. The proposed revisions consist of the institution of the Public Finance Management and Governance (PFMG) as an additional area of specialization; the institution of DMG 252: Applied Public Finance;and the cross listing of ECON 251:
Advanced Public Economics as DMG 251. The proponents for the program revisions are Dr. Rhea L.
Gumasing and Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan, with substantial inputs from all DMG program faculty.
The institution of the PFMG specialization is envisioned to equip graduates with knowledge and skills about the management and governance of revenue generation, allocation, and utilization at the national agency and local government levels. Further, the proposed specialization aims at integrating public integrity and social
responsibility values in the graduates’
learning, thereby embodying UP’s signature tradition of honor and excellence in the DMG student’s academic journey.
Meanwhile, the goal of the institution of DMG 252 is for the students to be able to develop skills for analyzing complex problems in public finance management and governance, as well as for designing innovative solutions and strategies for development. Cross listing of ECON 251 as DMG 251 would benefit from an advanced understanding of the application of microeconomic theory and the public choice approach to public finance. The course is deemed to provide students of development management and governance essential grounding in the principles underlying the role of the government in the attainment of development goals as well as the inner workings of public sector choices.
The next stage for the proposal is the deliberation and
approval of the Board of Regents (BOR). Once approved, the program would be offered to both residential and off-campus students.
by Ephraim C. Quiñones
CPAf Updates Volume 21 | Issue No. 1 | January-March 2020
CPAf Updates is published by the College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños. Contributions from the faculty, non-academic staff, and students are welcome. Please send news/feature articles and photos to [email protected]. Requests for use of content
should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief. Comments and suggestions for improvement are most welcome.
Editorial Adviser: ROLANDO T. BELLO • Editor-in-Chief: EVELIE P. SERRANO • Associate Editor: STELLA CONCEPCION R. BRITANICO Managing Editor: STOIX NEBIN S. PASCUA • Layout Artist: RUETH T. CABRAL • Photos: DANILO G. REFORMA
Production: SANDRALYN V. TAN
https://cpaf.uplb.edu.ph • cpafuplb • UPLBcpaf • cpafuplb • UPLB College of Public Affairs and Development
T
he UPLB College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) co-organized the 5th Asia Future Conference (AFC5) with the Sekiguchi Global Research Association (SGRA) and the Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation (AISF) on January 10-12.“Sustainable Shared Growth: Our Common Home, Our Common Happiness” was the theme for this year’s conference.
The opening ceremonies, keynote lecture, symposium, and parallel
sessions were held at Bellevue Hotel in Alabang on January 10. The continuation of parallel sessions and the closing party were conducted at UPLB on January 11. The last day of the conference was spent for leisure and study tour in Tagaytay, Cavite where Taal Volcano can be best viewed.
“Social media made the world a much smaller and more interconnected space. When used properly and with the appropriate respect for its power, social media can
strengthen democracy and sustainable and inclusive development,” said His Excellency Jose Castillo Laurel V, ambassador of the Philippines to Japan and keynote speaker of AFC5. His keynote speech discussed
“Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Age of Social Media.”
The next AFC will be held on 27-31 August 2021 in Taipei, Taiwan with the Chinese Culture University as the host university.
Article by Stoix Nebin S. Pascua.
Photos courtesy of the UPLB Office of Public Relations.
