Key university officials listen to Mr. Ongkiko in the first day of GAD fora.

The newly-created Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System conducted a series of activities on gender sensitivity issues for university key officials, members of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), GAD peer advocates and student services providers.

The activities started with the training on gender-responsive management of university key officials on October 18-20, 2017 through a structured learning exercises led by the resource person, Mr. Joseph Astrophel C. Ongkiko.

On October 24-25, the Committee on Decorum and Investigation members (CODI) underwent the training on sexual harassment cases. Mrs. Teresita V. Menguillo, Administrative Officer V, Civil Service Commission (CSC), delivered a lecture entitled Sexual Harassment: A Silent Foe which dwelt on the historical and legal basis on sexual harassment, what constitute sexual harassment and the Administrative Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases Resolution No. 01-0940. On her lecture on Competence Building of the CODI members, Mrs. Menguillo discussed the preventive and punitive role and responsibility of CODI as well as their attributes. Atty. Cherry G. de la Cruz, Acting Director III, CSC RO6, gave a clear picture on the classification of sexual harassment offenses and penalties and oriented CODI members on the procedure on handling sexual harassment cases.

A two-day gender sensitivity training for GAD peer advocates was conducted on Oct. 26-27. Dr. Rosario H. Asong, retired faculty of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) and Ret. Police Supt. Cecilia M. Detablan lectured on various gender sensitive issues which includes the review of the basic gender and development concepts. Other issues discussed were the gender issues in the households, in schools, and in communities; gender socializing factors-cultural and historical; international, national and local situationer; educational interventions; gender-ralated laws and envisioning a gender-fair society.

The last leg of the series which was held on Nov. 8-9 focused on gender sensitivity training for student services providers. Dr. Rosario H. Asong and Dr. Ida M. Siason, former UPV Chancellor, were the invited resource persons. The topics discussed were the four premises of gender training, legal bases for GAD, the development schema, basic gender and development concepts, forces and factors that shape gender, gender issues: international national and local situationer, recent laws and interventions, selected laws and Magna Carta for Women: relevant interventions, educational interventions: gender mainstreaming in the academic institutions and gender-fair use of language.

According to Ms. Emily de la Cruz, ISAT U GAD Focal person, the proposed activities for the coming month will focus on children’s and women’s rights.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the newly-elected WESVAARRDEC Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council chair, delivers a message in the opening day of the workshop

Dr. Olive Joy G. Abing and Dr. Frisian Y. Cuasing attended the training-workshop on strategic communication and development of communication support materials for researchers conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARD) and the Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARRDEC) on October 10-13, 2017 at Amigo Terrace Hotel, Iloilo City.

The workshop was conducted to equip researchers with the skills on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials development.

The four-day training-workshop also aimed to enable the participants to appreciate the importance of strategic communication planning and development of support communication materials in research output dissemination, learn and institutionalize the strategic communication process in all Research and Development projects and developed IEC materials base on a communication plan for knowledge sharing in print and web content.

The participants of the training workshop pose for the camera after the four-day training.

The invited speakers from Applied Communications Division, DOST-PCAARRD, Los Banos, Laguna were Mr. Joel Joven, Ms. Marina T. de Ramos, Mr. Ricardo Argona and Mr. Laureano Reyes.

Mr. Joel Joven talked on Introduction Behavior Change Communication: Communication Approaches for Development, Introduction to Strategic Communication Planning: Steps in Strategic Communication Planning, Problem Analysis, Strategic Design and Development of Key Messages and Materials. Mr. Argana discussed the points on clear and effective writing while Ms. de Ramos gave some pointers of managing photos and the print production. Mr. Laureano  Reyes, on the other hand, focused on designing the IEC materials.

SUCAHTEP officers and participants pose with Dr. Raul F. Muyong, SUCAHTEP consultant. 

Iloilo Science and Technology University in collaboration with the State Universities and Colleges Association of Hospitality and Tourism Educators of the Philippines, Inc. (SUCAHTEP) held the 1st Grand Hospitality and Tourism Convention on August 28, 2017 at the Grand Xing Hotel Iloilo City.

With the theme Raising Hospitality and Tourism Competitiveness Towards ASEAN Integration, the first SUCAHTEP National Convention was attended by more than 1,200 students and teachers from different State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and private schools nationwide.

Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca, ISAT U Hotel and Restaurant Technology Head and SUCAHTEP President underlined the importance of the forum to help upgrade the tourism and hospitality industry in order to cope up with the standards in the ASEAN market. “There is a need for the industry to be proactive, innovative and dynamic in order to have a competitive edge in the ASEAN market,” Darroca said.

Different tourism and hospitality related topics were discussed in the plenary sessions. Ms. Susan Santos de Cardenas, CEO and President, SSTDI, Jakarta, Indonesia talked on the Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality: The Global Sustainable Tourism Standards for Destination and Businesses. The topic MICE . . Coming to ASEAN was discussed by Ms. Ma. Christina Aquino, Chairman, TIBFI CMSI Global Careers.

Dr. Don Anton Balida, Co-curricular Activities Coordinator of Oman Tourism College explained the essence of Network for Voluntary Development in Asia while Mr. Alvin Gonzales, Marketing Manager, MIHCA, Manila reviewed the trends and updates of the cruise industries.

Among the guests who gave messages and updates on their respective offices were Ms. Phoebe Areno, Senior Tourism Officer IV, DOT RO VI; Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. Regional Director, TESDA RO VI and Dr. Cesar H. Medina, Regional Director, CHED RO VI.

Dr. Darroca lauded the participants and recognized the potential of the organization. “SUCAHTEP is just two years old and it is growing. The organization is already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as of now there are more than a hundred faculty members and 10 institutional members, “ she said.

Other ISAT U professors who are officers of SUCAHTEP are Prof. Hazel M. Malayas, Prof. AAron Paul P. Puljanan, Dr. Noeme C. Mosura. Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President is the consultant of SUCAHTEP.

Established in September 2016, SUCAHTEP is an initiative of ISAT U that aimed to address the needs of SUCs in the field of hospitality and tourism through upgrading the skills of the faculty and professionalizing the industry through forums and annual faculty trainings and conventions.

Mrs. Eleonor D. Gregorio, GSIS Branch Manager, explains the agency’s new policies and guidelines.

The Human Resource Department held a lecture-forum on employees’ welfare in government service for all permanent employees of the different ISAT U campuses on October 23, 2017 at the Amigo Terrace Hotel, Iloilo City.

The activity aimed to elevate ISAT U human resource management to a level of excellence through assessment, assistance and awarding processes of Human Resource Management (HRM) Systems, Practices and Competencies using Human Resource maturity level indicators that are at par with global HRM standards.

During the President’s time, Dr. Raul F. Muyong discussed the details and mechanics of the Free Higher Education Act, the upcoming Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Culture and Arts Festival and the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet. He also reminded the employees to observe immediate submission of liquidation report. Other matters taken up by the president were the performance based bonus, and the proposed courses already issued with CHED Memorandum Orders.

Mr. Bonnie S. Arenal, HRMO III, underlined the need for government employees to be informed on the benefits they are entitled so that they would  be able to decide on their engagement in government service.

Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Vice President for Administration and Finance, talked on the salary and other benefits of an employee, the Executive Order No. 201, s. 2016 modifying the salary schedule for civilian government personnel and authorizing the grant of additional benefits for both civilian and military and uniformed personnel, and the enhanced Performance Based Bonus (PBB).

The activity also focused on rewards and recognition which is one of the four areas of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM). It was also a venue for ISAT U employees to understand the latest issuance of CSC, DBM and GSIS on rewards and promotions.

Mrs. Maila S. Alparaque, HRMO I, discussed the loyalty service updates. Meanwhile, Mrs. Enieda G. Corona, Chief Administrative Officer, elaborated on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) latest issuances particularly on the Omnibus Rules on Appointment and other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA).

In her lecture and in the open forum, Mrs. Eleonor D. Gregorio, GSIS Branch Manager, enlightened the audience on the benefits and other concerns on GSIS implementing guidelines.

The lecture on planning a retirement by  Dr. Rosemarie P. Prudente, retired ISAT U CAS dean,  concluded the day’s activity.