ISSN 2094-3991 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2015

The PRESIDENT’SOUTBOX

A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Change Agents for Social Transformation and Development.

BU maintains ISO certificate

BU President, Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas welcomes the external auditors during the opening meeting of the ISO surveillance audit at the GASS conference room on November 16, 2015. Earl Epson L. Recamunda/OP

Bicol University is proud to have passed another external audit by TÜV SÜD, PSB Philippines, and be recommended for ISO 9001:2008 certificate maintenance for yet another year. We continue to improve the quality of our services to our clientele, and move towards achieving our vision to be a world-class institution.

Promoting a responsive and efficient academic governance, as one of my strategic options, is specifically realized as we uphold and continually improve our Quality Management System. There was no question about continuing or discontinuing this practice from the previous administration. Not only is this a government directive, but one which perfectly goes hand in hand with our desire for quality service. It is very comforting, therefore, to see that we have now truly embraced this process and have made it part of our daily routine.

I sincerely thank each and every one of you who have made all efforts to see that we adhere to our quality standards and properly document all our best practices. It is through these efforts that we have stayed on top.

Congratulations, and keep up the good work!

ISO/Page 3

NSRC/Page 2

Bicol University (BU) maintained its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification, having successfully passed and complied with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 in the recent surveillance audit held last November 16-17, 2015. TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines, one of the leading international certifying bodies visited the BU Main Campus, Guinobatan Campus, Tabaco Campus and Polangui Campus headed by lead auditor Erveene Zoleta, along with Katrina Joy Bicomong and Roy Ramos. The scope of the certification includes the provision and development of tertiary and graduate education degree and non-degree courses, as well as research and extension services.

The survey visit was meant to evaluate not only the conformity of the management system with the audit criteria, but also the effectiveness of the management system to ensure that the organization is capable of meeting applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements. It also aimed to determine the effectiveness of the management system in ensuring that the organization is able to meet its specified objectives. The ISO 9001:2008

certificate is a global symbol that affirms that BU’s processes and standards are at par with international management systems. In 2010, BU became the first state university in the region to receive an ISO accreditation as an institution. It was awarded its recertification in 2013. Dr. Arnulfo Mascariňas, 8th BU president expressed satisfaction with the results of the recent audit as BU did not incur any non-

BU hosts National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) Policy Review and

Enhancement WorkshopBicol University (BU), in partnership with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Philippine Society of National Service Training Program (NSTP) Educators and Implementers (PSNEI), conducted the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) Policy Review and Enhancement Workshop last November 26, 2015 at Hotel St. Ellis, Legazpi City, Albay. In attendance during the activity were: Dir. Edgardo J. Ollet, MNSA, Chief of Plans and Programs Division of NDRRMC-OCD Central; Dr. Rafael Querubin, PSNEI National President and University President of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC); Dr. Manuel C. Mendoza, Supervising Program Specialist of CHED Regional Office V and Dr. Florida C. Labuguen, Ex-Officio Officer/Past President and Executive

BU alumna wins 2015 APEC Video

ContestA graduate of Bicol University (BU) bagged the first prize in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Video Contest as part of the 2015 APEC Leaders’ Week held last November 16-19 in Manila, Philippines. Chrysthelyn Siena Quides, an AB Broadcasting alumna of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), bested other competitors from the Philippines and other countries to win the

APEC/Page 2

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Director, PSNEI National. Also present were the different members of the academe, Local Government Units (LGUs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). Dir. Ollet gave his message and noted that global resilience is taking off in a global platform and there is already an instruction to revise NSRC. As a “participating observer”, he wants to give focus on two priority programs-Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). In the message of Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariňas, BU President, which was read

by Dr. Antonio P. Payonga, BU Extension Service Center (BUESC) Director, he noted that there is a need to provide the youth with positive attitudes and values thus, Bicol University fully supports the NSRC program.Prof. Rowena F. Zoilo, Head of BUESC Consultancy, Linkages and other Support Services (CLOSS) Unit and former president of PSNEI Region V, gave the overview and mechanics of the activity. She presented the background/rationale of the activity as well as its objectives. The topics discussed includes “NSTP: 13 Years of

Service and Dedication to the Filipino Nation” by Dr. Querubin, “NSRC Legal Basis and Direction” by Dr. Mendoza, “NSRC as Mandated by RAs 9163 and 10121: Challenges and Issues” by Dr. Labuguen, and “Training, Organization and Mobilization of School-based NSRC” by Prof. Zoilo. Hon. Jose Alfonso Barizo, Punong Barangay of Buraguis, Legazpi City and Hon. Joseph Philip Lee, Punong Barangay of Oro Site, Legazpi City presented “Training, Organization and Mobilization of NSRC in the Community” and “Volunteer Mobilization in CCA and

DRR-The Oro Site Practice”, respectively. After the presentation of the speakers, a workshop was held where participants were divided into three groups: LGUs, academe and national government. Issues raised include the need to allocate fund or budget as well as the need to capacitate or train students in responding to disasters and calamities. The NSRC Policy Review and Enhancement Workshop was facilitated by the BUESC support staff. (GV Angeline Buenaflor/ESC)

NSRC from p.1

contest which focused on the impact of trade and economic development on people’s lives in the Asia-Pacific. With the theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World: how have technology and innovation changed your life?,” the three-minute video contest put particular emphasis on the benefits of technology and innovation in micro, small, and medium enterprises. Quides’ winning entry, “Anna’s Village,” which talks about how technology helped spur innovation in a small, remote community and promote its development, was praised by Dr Alan Bollard, Executive Director of the

APEC Secretariat in a press statement. “The story of Anna’s village creatively shows how technology and innovation can make a positive difference to people’s lives and livelihoods,” he said. “Ms Quides’ video provides a clear picture of APEC’s work and its potential benefits to people and society as well as inspiration to Leaders, Ministers and Senior Officials for taking the region’s agenda forward.” In the award presentation held last November 16 at the International Media Center, Quides explained the idea behind her video. “I came up with Anna’s Village because it is important not only to

enumerate what people and communities can get out of innovation, technology, and development, but also to actually tell their story.” “Anna is a representation of every Filipino child with dreams and hopes that future will be good. Anna’s parents are representation of every father and mother striving hard to secure their children’s future,” she said. In an interview with The BUzzette, Quides revealed that the win was unexpected. “The deadline of submission was Oct 17, I learned about the competition around Oct 9 or 10. Regardless of limited time and resources, I decided to push through the production stage. I also had problems submitting the video on the day of the deadline, but I was able to upload the video, three hours before the deadline,” she shared. Asked about the inspiration behind Anna, the central character in her video, she said, “Anna is a fictional character but more than just a character; she is a living symbol of our journey to a better world.” Quides, a video editor

of Channel Good Advocacy Communication and a part-time Senior Digital Cartoonist of Cartoonist.Me, attributes her success to her alma mater as it was BU which helped her find her passion. “BU has taught me things that I would need in my journey into the real world. BU has also helped me to be with the people who really helped me to become who I am today, especially my friends in my Broadcasting class.” As for her future plans, Quides shared that she intends to finish her Master’s in Development Communication degree at the University of the Philippines, Open University, and possibly join a film festival next year with the help of her friends. She likewise encouraged her fellow BU graduates to do their best despite the odds. “Struggles may come but it is part of the process of learning and being a better person. Don’t limit yourself to the things that you should learn. Never stop learning; it’s a continuous process,” she said. (Gladys G. Serafica and Ranelle Anne Sertan)

APEC/Page 2

Chrysthelyn Siena Quides giving her speech during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Video Contest (Photo courtesy of APEC 2015)

PASUC/ from p.4

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AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

ISO from p.1

R&D Highlights from p. 4

delegates coming from the 17 regions in the country composed of administrators, coaches, trainers and student-participants to compete in the 21 cultural-artistic events in five major venues. Headed by PASUC President Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, in-cooperation with PASUC Regional President Dr. Modesto Detera of Sorsogon State University, and all SUC presidents of the host region, the festival is a national scholastic competition conducted by the SUCs throughout the country to determine the champions who will represent PASUC in other intercollegiate or interscholastic socio-cultural-artistic events. Student-participants competed in various competitions in four general categories: Musical competition (chorale, instrument solo, vocal solo, vocal duet, and pop solo); Performing arts (radio drama, sweet and short play); Dance competition (indigenous dance, contemporary, hip-hop, and folk dance); Literary competition (story-telling, essay writing, extemporaneous speech, pagsulat ng sanaysay, dagliang talumpati at pagkukuwento); and Visual arts competition (on-the-

conformity findings. Zoleta said they will recommend to TÜV SÜD that the ISO certificate of BU be maintained, with the provision that the university submits within five working days or by November 26, its correction and corrective action plans for the two minor non-conformities and eight opportunities for improvement they had found. With the recent ISO audit results, “there’s no way to go but up,” Mascariňas said. BU’s commitment to implement quality assurance methods in both the academic and support services, and its zeal to build procedures for its maintenance is anchored on the BU vision to be a world-class university. In the opening meeting held last November 16, Mascariňas emphasized that the yearly ISO surveillance audit will continue in his term as this is vital in achieving the university’s vision. “We want to continue this audit system because I believe that our vision of becoming a world-class university would need an affirmation. And this affirmation can only be done part and parcel through the conduct of activities such as this,” he said. The ISO audit system is just one of the quality assurance mechanisms utilized by BU to ensure the efficient performance of the university in meeting its goals such as commitment to quality and client satisfaction. (Gladys Serafica/OP)

spot painting and charcoal rendering). Special categories are Quiz Bowl and the Search for Mr. and Ms. PASUC 2015. Dr. Baby Boy Nebres, regional and university focal person of the festival said that BU is honored to be this year’s host. He also revealed that the university has rigorously prepared for the event, determined to show the best of Region V to the rest of the 16 regions. “This is the first time for Bicol to be chosen as the host region of the PASUC festival. One of the reasons why we were chosen is because we have won Ms. PASUC for three times. Another is because of the strong support of the governor of Albay. We want to show the best of Bicol University. Who knows, we could be the next host for SCUAA 2017-2018,” he said. The festival aims to provide opportunities for tertiary level students who are skilled and talented to participate in socio-cultural competitions, and to develop among them the character of excellence and appreciation of the Filipino culture, aesthetic values, knowledge, understanding and socially desirable traits. (Suzene Cajegas)

PASUC/ from p.4

Panel of evaluators for research category was chaired by Dr. Lorna J. Cardano, Director of Bureau of Fisheries And Aquatic Resources – Regional Fisheries Training Center V, with members Prof. Juanita C. Emata, Associate Professor from Ca-marines Norte State College, and Mr. Raymond R. Marcelino, Livestock Program Regional Coordinator from DA-Regional Field Unit V. For the development category, Ms. Edna Cynthia S. Berces, OIC-Assistant Regional Director of NEDA RO 5 served as the chair of the panel, and Mr. Alejo N. Balaguer from ERDB 5 and Mr. Dennis Mujar from DTI as members. Incidentally the selection of regional winners serves as basis for the nomination to national award-giving bodies. (Maria Luisa U. Tango, BUTC)

TitlePhenotypic Characterization of “Camarines” Strain of Philippine Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)Agronomic Characterization, Feeding Values, Palatability and Persistency of Promising Ornamental Forage Grasses Carcass and Sensory Characteristics of Broilers Given Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) Sprout Meal in the Ration Production Performance of Broilers Fed on Different Levels of Pili Pulp Meal

TitleBiological Inputs to the Management of Tabagwang (Jagora asperata) in Buradan River, Viga, Catanduanes

TitleEconomic Value of Selected Coastal Habitats in the Province of Albay, Philippines

TitleGreen Super Rice its Promotion and Commercialization Family Preparedness: The Basics in DRRM Navigating through a Market-oriented Agri-Technology and Agri-Extension Services: Building Upon Agrarian Reform Benefeciaries’ Resiliency Status and Climate Change Impact Vulnerability of the Coastal Habitats and Fisheries of the West Coast of Albay Hazard Reduction and Vulnerability Analysis of the Sagumayon River

Author(s) Teresita B. Pequeña

BU

Leonardo D. SuretaCBSUA

Editha C. CornejoCBSUA

Elizabeth T. CapioCBSUA

Author(s)Skorzeny C. De

JesusBU

Author(s)Erwin E. Torres

BU

Author(s)

Luz R. MarcelinoDA-RFO 5

Leilani D. PavilandoBU

Ma. Julieta C. Gonzales, BU

Ronnel R. Dioneda, Sr. , BU

Oliver AliganBU

Sector: Aquatic Resources

Sector: Natural Resources

Award1st Best Paper

2nd Best Paper

2nd Best Paper

3rd Best Paper

Award1st Best Paper

Award1st Best Paper

Award1st Best Paper

2nd Best Paper

3rd Best Paper

4th Best Paper

5th Best Paper

Sector: Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural ResourceDevelopment Category

Research CategorySector: Agriculture

The Editorial Board

www.facebook.com/BicolUniversity

Editorial Head: Dr. Ma. Celina Eladia G. Meneses

Associate Editor: Prof. Gladys Serafica

Managing Editor: Ms. Merly J. Loria

Editorial Consultants:Dr. Reina O. Habalo

Dr. Helen M. LlenaresasOverall Consultant:

Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas

Circulation Manager: Ms. Mary Ann M. See

Photojournalist: Earl Epson L. Recamunda

Layout Artists: Jona V. Castaneda

ISSN 2094-3991 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2015

BCAARRD co-hosts 2015 Joint Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights

The Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD) together with the Bicol Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (BCIEERD), and Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) conducted the 2015 Joint Regional Symposium on Research and Development (R&D) Highlights on November 27 held at Bicol University College of Agriculture, Guinobatan, Albay. The symposium’s theme is “Building a strong and responsive science and technology in sustaining economic growth and promoting integration in ASEAN” with DOST Regional Director Tomas Briñas as the Keynote Speaker. Its main objective is to present the most significant R&D findings of the technology generators and researchers of the consortia R&D implementing member-agencies. Recognizing the role of other fields of study in regional and national development, BCAARRD included sessions on agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors. Eleven completed research projects were evaluated, seven (6) of which were under the research category and five (5) under the development category. Bicol University won the best paper awards under the research category. For the development category, it was the DA-RFO 5 which bagged the top award. Details of the results of evaluation are summarized in the following table:

R&D Highlights page 3

Japanese professors visit BUTCBicol University Tabaco Campus (BUTC) welcomed three professors from the Faculty of Humanities and Economics at Kochi University, Japan last November 27 to December 1, 2015. Dr. Kayo Nakagawa, Professor and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Economics, Dr. Mina Hori (Lecturer), and Dr. Teruyuki Shinbo (Professor) of the same Faculty and the Graduate School of Kuroshio Science composed the Kochi University visiting team. In consultation with BUTC professors, Kochi University professors prepared a plan of activities for a proposed Social Science undergraduate students’ study tour in the Bicol region slated in 2016. In line with this, the BUTC-Kochi University team of professors conducted a reconnaissance survey of BUTC’s Coral Rehabilitation project site in San Miguel

Island, Tabaco City and several business enterprises in Albay such as the PhilCeramics Arts and Crafts Center in Tiwi, Juboken and Natural Carpet Industries in Camalig, and COP Pili Sweets & Pastries in Daraga. The activity is part of the academic collaboration between BUTC and Kochi University, which includes research and development (R&D), and faculty and student exchange programs. The Kochi University student tour in 2016 will be the second wave of Kochi student visitors, following the first batch in 2010. BUTC students have conducted similar visits in Kochi, Japan over the past years. (Ninfa R. Pelea, BUTC)

BU hosts PASUC National Culture and the Arts Festival 2015

At least 2,500 delegates from 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) took part in the 7th Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National Culture and the Arts Festival held at Bicol University (BU), Legazpi City, Albay last November 30 to December 2, 2015. PASUC, an association of public tertiary institutions in the Philippines which includes all state universities and colleges under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has identified Albay province

and BU to be the official host of this year’s festival. With the theme, “Transforming the Landscape of Culture and the Arts in the Public Higher Education Institutions,” the event aimed to pool together

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CONGRATULATIONS!to all the passers

NOVEMBER 2015 CIVIL ENGINEER LICENSURE EXAMINATION

BU Passing rate: 46.5% National Passing Rate:41.5%

Congratulations to all the passersSeptember Licensure Examination fo Teachers (L.E.T.)

Elementary LevelGERRY FRANCE GUARDIAN

of Gubat campus,8th Placer, 85.20%JENNY ROSE MAPUSAO DE LOS SANTOS

of Polangui Campus, 9th Placer, 85.00%CHRISTINE NOVIO VERGA

of BUCE, 10th Placer, 84.80%BU Passing Rate:

Elementary Level:Daraga: 75.10%Gubat: 78.00%

Legazpi: 45.83%Polangui:69.77%

Secondary Level:BUCIT: 36.89%Daraga: 36.89%Gubat: 35.29%

Guinobatan: 31.95%

Legazpi: 41.91%Polangui: 62.16%Tabaco:66.67%

National Passing Rate:31.36% for Elementary Level 41.75% for Secondary Level