Catanduanes State U takes pride in 1,500 pioneer graduates

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Mar. 22 (PIA) - Around 1,500 degree holders of Catanduanes State University (CSU) main campus here and in Panganiban take the center stage in their respective commencement exercises as they carry the distinction of being the pioneer university graduates.

At the CSU campus here, the event will be made even more historic as the graduation ceremonies will take place in the University front grounds on March 26, 4 p.m.. The iconic windbreaker facade of the administration building will serve as the backdrop of the sundown ceremony.

Atty. Jorge V. Sarmiento, president and chief operating officer of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will serve as the Commencement Speaker of the CSU Virac Campus.

The advanced education level will have 22 graduates—Doctor of Education - 3, Master of Arts in -Education - 3, Master of Arts in English- 1, Master of Arts in Industrial Education - 3, Diploma in Educational Management - 11, and Diploma in College Teaching - 1.

Producing the highest number of graduates in the higher education level is the Bachelor of Elementary Education at 123, followed by Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology – 120, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – 112, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – 100, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – 69;

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – 68, Bachelor of Secondary Education -64, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – 57, Bachelor of Science in Office Administration – 55, Bachelor of Science in Information Systems – 47, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, 23, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship – 21, Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics – 21, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – 21;

Bachelor of Science in Biology, - 17, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy – 15, Bachelor of Science in Information Management – 13, Bachelor of Arts major in Public Administration – 11, and Bachelor of Science in Economics – 7,

Moreover, in the two-year diploma program, the Two-Year Trade Technical course has the highest number of graduates at 187, followed by Certificate in Agriculture Science – 77, Diploma in Midwifery Education – 30, and Certificate in Technology – 29.
Meanwhile, the Catanduanes State University Panganiban Campus conducted their graduation ceremonies on March 16, 2013, with 194 graduates in its four higher education course offerings—B.S. in Agriculture (29), Bachelor of Elementary Education (55), Bachelor of Trade Technical Education (27), and Certificate in Agriculture Science (83).

CSU’s beginning dates back to June 18, 1961 when Republic Act (RA) 3398, which called for the establishment of Virac National and Agricultural Trade School (VNATS), was enacted.

Ten years thereafter, Republic Act 6341, which was authored by Congressman Jose U. Alberto, converted VNATS into Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC).

On March 29, 2011, House Bill No. 4170, which called for the conversion of CSC into Catanduanes State University, was filed during the First Regular Session of the 15th Congress of the Philippines. This conversion bill was principally authored by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento, and co-authored by Congressman Juan Edgardo M. Angara.

Over a year thereafter, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed on October 19, 2012 Republic Act No. 10229 converting Catanduanes State Colleges (Virac/Main and Panganiban Campuses) into Catanduanes State University.

Catanduanes State University germinated in the established groundwork of its forerunner institutions, including its leaders, employees, students, and the stakeholders who served as the bedrock and the pillar upon which the University was built.

CSU is the only comprehensive higher education institution in Catanduanes and among the dynamic State Universities and Colleges in Bicol that offers a wide range of academic programs and produces placers in national licensure examinations. (GSRubio-CSU/MAL/EAB/PIA5)


Catanduanes State U presidency aspirants named

By Gerry S. Rubio

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 22 (PIA) -- The Search Committee for Presidency of the Catanduanes State University (CSU) has presented a list of applicants for president of the university.

The three applicants for CSU Presidency—Dr. Lily P. Custodio, dean of the CSU Graduate School; Dr. Minerva I. Morales, immediate past SUC President III and incumbent officer in-charge of the CSU; and Dr. Jimmy Masagca, associate professor of CSU College of Arts and Sciences—took the center stage to present their academic and professional credentials, and mission, vision, and programs.

The CSU Board of Regents-constituted CSU Search Committee for Presidency is chaired by the Rector and President of Aquinas University, Rev. Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, O.P. PhD., with the Chairperson of the PASUC V and Bicol University President, Dr. Faye Lauraya; the Regional Director of CHED Region V, Dr. Freddie T. Bernal; Engr, Sammy V. Laynes, representing the Private Sector; and CSU College of Education professor Dr. Charlene Cantar, representing the academic community, as members.

The composition of the search committee is specifically in accordance with Section 4 of the CHED Memorandum Order No. 16 Series 2009 or Rules and Regulations Governing the Search for President of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

While the usual search process, as stipulated in CHED CMO No. 16, s. 2009, starts at least six months prior to the end of the term of the incumbent President, what makes this search process practically unique only to CSU is the provision in Section 9 of RA 10229 or An Act Converting the Catanduanes State Colleges into Catanduanes State University. The last part of Section 9, which is the clincher in determining the First University President thus states: “Provided, that in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the CHED shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the University, pending appointment of the first President of the University.”

CSU is the only higher education institution in the country which was converted into State University that has this particular provision. Incumbent Presidents of State Colleges converted into Universities automatically becomes the first university president.

Apart from the said unique clause contained in the law that created Catanduanes State Unviersity, the search process also followed the RA 8292 or the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997

As stated in the CHED CMO No. 16 series 2009, “after the Governing Board has constituted the Search Committee and its Secretariat, a notice for the SUC Presidency shall be published in at least one newspaper of national circulation for at least three consecutive weeks.

The screening and selection of candidates/applicants shall generally consist of Compliance Check by the Secretariat, Profile Appraisal, Panel Interview by the Search Committee, Public Forum/Presentation, Finalization of the Search Committee for President Report, Submission of the SCP Report to the SUC Governing Board, and the Election of New President via Majority Vote of the Governing Board Members.

Moreover, as provided for in the CHED CMO, the applicants undergo three-tiered evaluation process composed of Profile Appraisal (Professional Competence and Academic Background), Public Forum, and Panel Interview.

Under Profile Appraisal – Professional Competence, the applicant’s crafted Philosophy, Mission and Vision is graded, as well as his or her Relevant Administrative Experiences, Managerial Competence, and Acceptability in the Community. In the Academic Background, his or her Tertiary Level Teaching and Extension experiences are accordingly rated, as well as Relevant Academic and Research Background.

In the Public Forum, the applicants are rated according to their Personal Traits, Grasp and Ability to Respond to Situation; Mission, Vision, Programs; Public Image, Acceptability and Rapport with Constituents, and Personal Credibility. (MAL/GSR-CSU/PIA5)



NSO to conduct cnsus on business and industry

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Mar. 22 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office will be conducting the 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI) from April to June 2013.

Anabie Camacho, NSO Catanduanes officer-in-charge, said that the 2012 CPBI will collect and generate information on the levels, structure, performance and trends of economic activities of the formal sector of the economy for the year 2012. Also, it will serve as benchmark information in the measurement and comparison of national, regional and provincial economic growth.

Specifically, the 2012 CPBI aims to collect and generate detailed information on employment, income, expense, capital expenditures and total assets of the establishments and enterprises; generate indicators such as value added, labor productivity and others necessary to evaluate the performance of industries at the national and regional levels; generate MSME (micro, small and medium establishments/enterprises) data using total assets; gather information for the improvement of the list of establishments and enterprises; and provide benchmark data on trade in ICT-BPO.

According to Camacho, the data collected from the CPBI will constitute bases upon which the government and the private sector can formulate policies and evolve economic development plans.

Camacho explained that the census results are used in constructing national and regional income accounts of the Philippine economy; formulating and monitoring plans/policies in the attainment of national and regional economic goals; determining and comparing regional economic structures and performances; analyzing the performance and contribution of MSMEs to the total economy; conducting market research and feasibility studies among others; and updating the frame of establishments and enterprises.

Pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of Act 591, information obtained from the respondents shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except authorized NSO personnel acting in the performance of their duties and Section 3 of the same law provides the penalty clause for non-compliance of the survey.

In Catanduanes, Camacho said the actual distribution of CPBI questionnaires will be on April 1 to 30 while collection and field editing of said questionnaires will be on April 16 to June 14. (NSO-PIO/MAL/EAB-PIA 5)