OPISYAL NA BALITANG PADER NG THE BICOL UNIVERSITARIAN VOLUME XL BICOL UNIVERSITY AUGUST 2011 MAGBASA MAGDANGOG MAKIARAM BUNGKARAS

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BUCAF land dispute boils anew

By Jomilyn Grutas with reports from Jonel Argamosa

he tug-of-war for the Mauraro site of Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) sparks yet another tension between the school authorities and the tenants of the land in question. Prof. Darius Benjamin, chairman of the Department of Agricultural Technology, said that on April 10, 1994, the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) decided that the land where Mauraro campus is situated is intended for instruction, research and extension of the university. However, 17 years after the ruling, people still inhabit the area. Benjamin added that the ejection should take place immediately for maximum utilization of the land by the students.

BUs claim

There is a [certain] Republic Act declaring the transfer of the administrative management of property of the land to BU, maintained Prof. Daniel Settlers defense Jaime Orpiada, whose family has one of the Sadia, BUCAF planning officer. Referring to Republic Act 338 of 1948, Sadia continued that the largest claims on the disputed lands, said that BU ownership of BU over the land is supported by is citing R.A. 338 for its application for ownership

the government as it is a government property. He further stated that it is the obligation of the institution to remove the informal settlers as to prevent mismanagement. Sadia said that a number of notices were given to the inhabitants telling them to leave the area at once. However, the planning officer admitted that they did it prior to the ejection case in the hope that the settlers will voluntarily leave the site. Sadia further claimed that the university offered the occupants the Relocation with Contract House Lot Agreement. which states that the relocation site would still be in the same campus as long as it would not be covered for the construction of projects. The proposal was under the Mauraro Integrated Area Development Program (MIADP) but it was reportedly turned down adamantly, thus, forcing the administration to push for their ejection.

over the lot. He argued that BU is not even holding a title at all. He declared that his parents had been the original tenants since the Japanese Occupation of 1941 and it was then owned by a certain Iketchi Ihara, a Japanese national. According to him, the family had long since rooted in Mauraro. We have been paying taxes on the land for 13 years but it was cancelled because BU is now claiming the land, Orpiada contended. He showed a certification stating that a certain area was inspected and verified by the Office of the District Forester and found to be inside the Alienable and Disposable land approved as such by the Director of Forestry dating March 20, 1926.

Studes blamed for enrolment glitches

By Jefferson Geva with reports from Mersan Llandelar espite efforts to conduct an orderly enrolment, irregularities and delays were still rampant during the registration period for the academic year 2011-2012 caused by what Corazon Bazar, university registrar, tagged as irresponsible students. The supposedly month-long enrolment for the first semester, which started on the last week of May, was extended up to the first week of July in order to admit students who were not present during their scheduled dates. Bazar said that the enrolment would have been successful if not for the careless students who were elsewhere during their schedules. The university registrar furthered that it had always been the late enrollees that cause problems in the registration every year, even causing disturbance on the calendar of activities of the university. Although the electronic registration system is already being operated in the Main, East and Daraga campuses, hitches still surface because of such anticipated cases according to her. In the face of this impediment, Bazar asked these students to at least cooperate and refrain from being liabilities during these times. These late enrollees are causing us much trouble. It is expected that by this time we should already have an actual result of enrolment for the first semester but we just cant issue these records because of them. Even the President asked for the actual figures already, but we just cant provide, Bazar said. Bazar added that financial woes should not be presented by students as their reasons since the university is imposing a system where partial payments are being accepted. It is somewhat illogical for a student to fail in paying any particular amount. If you are a parent and you know that for this certain date your child will enrol and need money, you should have done the proper savings. There were also a number of cases where students were already given their allowances for enrollment but had spent it for other activities.

At present time

Asked about the Mauraro dispute, Officer-inCharge Karen Sampaga, BU Legal Office, refused to comment further on the issue as the case is still on going. BU filed a civil case against the alleged informal settlers last June 8 of this year at the Municipal Trial Court of Guinobatan.

CHALLENGE
As the clash between the authorities of Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry and the alleged informal settlers over the land ownership of the Mauraro campus reaches the Municipal Trial Court of Guinobatan, it is imperative that the administration do something substantial about it. The inhabitants of the Mauraro campus pointed out that their families had been rooted in the sitio long before the university was even instituted. A certain Jaime Orpiada alleged that his parents had been the tenants of the disputed land since the Japanese occupation of 1941. His point is, they had been there first. However, we are not in the late 19th century anymore, when one claims sovereignty over a land by right of discovery. Or in this case, by right of housing there before everybody else does. Nevertheless, the inhabitants insist that it was theirs. As proof, they hold on to a certification released by the Office of the District Forester. It found out that the lot was inside the Alienable and Disposable lands and thus it was legal for them to settle in the area. But heres the catch: it was dated March 20, 1926 and the owner of the now disputed land were not Orpiadas folks but a certain Iketchi Ihara, a Japanese national. When Republic Act 338 was passed in Congress on July 24, 1948, it superimposed the decision of the ODF made 22 years earlier. The act basically converts Guinobatan Rural High School to Roxas Memorial Agricultural School (into what is now known as the BUCAF Mauraro Campus) but along with it were all the lands . . . and properties that formerly belonged to the Japanese subjects. Thus, the authority over the domain. Then on April 10, 1994, the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board favored BUCAF authorities in a ruling that the disputed area is intended for instruction, research and extension

Passive Grantees

for Bicol University. But 17 years later, people still reside in the vicinity. Now, if they are to be expelled in order to maximize the utilization of the land by the students, why then that the civil case for the ejectment was filed only last June 8 of this year? The failure to take immediate action by the BU administration not only prolonged the agony of one waiting, albeit fighting, to be forced out of his home but also procrastinating the advancement of

knowledge two-decade overdue to the students. Recently appointed Vice President for Administration Amelia Dorosans primary concern for this matter is to protect the welfare of the student populace without hurting the rights of the 57 individuals living in the argued territory. Though she is not personally involved in the case, command responsibility dictates that she must see to it that the need of the many should outweigh the needs of the few. But compensate still for the less fortunate. #

Bazar also considered some scholars and grantees as burdens during registration periods. She said that they have this false thinking of not reporting to their registrars, making them uncounted from the official list of enrollees. Prof. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebrez, scholarships coordinator of the Office of Student Services (OSS), blames the passivity of these scholars in attending meetings and orientations for the delay. But despite this negativity, Nebrez declared that there were lesser problems with scholars during this years enrolment compared to the cases of last year.

Delay was natural

Due to promotion of deans

By Christine Latona with reports from Marriane Lette Ocromas

Two new ones race to one same goal

ttaining the Universitys quality policy of being the Center of Excellence, two new deans from College of Business Economics and Management (CBEM) and College of Science (CS) were appointed last June 3 and May 18, 2011 respectively. The former CBEM Dean, Dr. Liwayway Ables is now the Assistant Vice-President for Production. She turned-over the deanship to her Assistant Dean for four years, Dr. Ramesis M. Lorino. Lorino is a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration Major in Management graduate at the former Bicol University College of Arts and Sciences. He had his Masters Degree in Management and a Doctors Degree in Public Administration. Aside from Ables, the former CS Dean, Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan is now the Vice-President for Administration. She entrusted her position to Dr. Lucy P. Estioko, professor IV at the Bicol University College of Science Department of Chemistry and a registered Chemist. Estioko is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Los Baos. She

had a Masters Degree in Biochemistry at UP Ma- to them, he is also strict when it comes to wearing nila and a Doctors Degree in Biochemistry at UPLB. complete uniform. He will catch your attention if he sees you not in complete uniform, Delgado said. Jeremiah Hubilla, a BS Computer Science Reaching the Goal student and BUCS-CSC Business Manager said, I Dr. Lorinos priority is for a quality educa- never expected that Prof. Estioko will be the new tion for BS Accountancy and Business related dean. But then, he expects that Estioko will lead courses. Implementing the green college, enhanc- the college to Excellency and she will support the ing the curriculum because of the K+12 Basic Ed- students activities. Hubilla is looking forward for ucation Program, Networking with Professional the development of the college under her leadership. and Business Organizations were also included A BS Information Technology third year stuin his plans. He also sees that there is a need to dent Kathleen Joy Serrano assumes that Estioko build additional classrooms and repair the facili- will maintain the facilities. We are inspired by ties. He also wants to improve his action on the the new dean as she delivered her message to the resolutions made by the College Student Council. students during the Freshmen Orientation, as said Meanwhile, Dr. Estioko is focusing on staff by Julian Toledo, a BS Biology first year student. and faculty development. Increasing the number of professors who have a degree in relation to the subject they are handling is her ma- Level of Trust and Confidence Professor Mark Francis Ng of CBEM, gave jor concern. Buying much more supplies that are needed in the laboratory is also her concern. the reaction of his co-faculty in general. AccordShe looks forward to strengthen the style of re- ing to him, they hope that Dr. Lorino will conlaying information within the college. She also tinue his support in academics and curricular proprefers to have transparency on the transactions grams. We also hope that he will support the in the college. I tell them, to tell me, she said. student activities like competitions that will represent BU, he added. The faculty wished that his plans would turn out well and in order to impleStudents Say ment the activities, cooperation is always expected. Jovy Jane C. Delgado, Jessa Marie M. ConMagnolia Vida A. Cano, a professor of General da and Sarah Jane M. Gadia, third year students and Analytical Chemistry commented, Im happy for of Bachelor of Science in Business Administra- her, I know her and she is capable. She is also confident tion Major in Marketing Management agreed that that Estioko will bring the college to a higher level. # Lorino wants all things to be organized. According (MAIE), BS Industrial Teacher Education, Bachelor for Elementary Education, Bachelor for Secondary Education and BS Nursing. Moreover, 10 programs acquired a Level II Re-accredited status effective of 5 years for passing the standards set at a higher level of quality than the immediately preceding survey visit. These are BS Biology, AB Sociology, AB Peace Studies, AB Political Science, BS Social Work, AB Economics, BS Entrepreneurship, BS Management, BS Accountancy and AB English. Meanwhile, 11 programs with previous candidate status were awarded a Level I Accredited status, to last for 3 years for attaining a higher level of quality. These include BS Agriculture, BS Agribusiness, BS Forestry, BS Agricultural Technology, BA Agricultural Engineering, BS Chemistry, BS Computer Science, AB Journalism, AB Audio-Visual Communication, AB Speech and Theater Arts and BS Food Technology. On the other hand, 11 programs of the Bicol University passed the assessment and acquired a Candidate status valid for two years namely, AB Philosophy, Doctoral (Ph. D. Pub. Admin.), Masters (Agriculture), BS Automotive Technology, BS Electronics Technology, B Physical Education, BS Architecture, BS Chemical Engineering, BS Civil Engineering BS Electrical Engineering and BS Mechanical Engineering. To add to the roster of accredited programs is the BS Fisheries which passed a higher level standard of quality entitling it to apply for Level III Status. Said programs were evaluated in four areas: instruction, and extension (both mandatory) and two more areas chosen from among research, performance in licensure examination, faculty development, and linkages. Other top performing schools include Isabela State University which took the lead with 28 accredited programs, Cavite State University, 23; Cebu Technological University, 22; University of Eastern Philippines, 22; Capiz State University, 19; Technological University of the Philippines, 18; Bulacan State University, 15; and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, 14.

On the other hand, USC Chairperson Ruther Flores opposed that the studentry particularly the late enrollees are not blameworthy for the delay in the enrolment. A typhoon (Chedeng) visited Bicol on the enrolment week allotted for the freshmen, so a domino effect somehow happened, Flores said. The student regent also pointed out that the registration system of the university is unsatisfactory to some levels but is gradually improving, but asserted that students have no choice. As scholars, we have to contend with what the university can provide with the assurance that the administrations top priorities are our welfare and the quality of education that we receive, Flores added. The USC chairperson also advised students to do away from senseless activities and prioritize their education. Pacita Montiveros, a 3rd year Journalism student and a late enrollee concurred with the student regents notion. However, she admitted there was irresponsibility on her part as well. I had troubles with the requirements of some of my subjects that time, Montiveros professed. Montiveros added that she had to do a part time job just to supply for her financial needs in order to enroll, and believed it wasnt just irresponsibility but fate that caused her to register late.

Tentative figures

top performing SUC

By Monette Jane Vargas with reports from Honey Joy Oyardo

BU ranks 2nd

Rise of Arki Institute underway

By Alyssa Baares and Patricia Miguel

As of July 6, a total of 19, 422 students are considered officially registered around the Bicol University colleges and satellite campuses, about five percent higher than the numbers from the previous years first semester. The most number of enrollees came from the college of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), the College of Business Economics and Management (CBEM) on the second spot and the College of Education (CE) third in population. The College of Engineering (CENG) and the (College of Industrial Technology (CIT) ranked fourth and fifth respectively. As of press time, the Office of the University Registrar is still working on the final turnout of the enrolment.

mong the 108 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) subjected to curriculum evaluation, Bicol University ranked 2nd Top Performing SUC nationwide for the year 2010 for having 26 programs awarded accreditation status. Aside from being second in the nation, BU contributed much in the Bicol Region making it the outstanding among the top five performing regions for having 74 programs awarded accreditation status by AACCUP at all levels. The region was represented by BU, Camarines Norte State College (CNSC), Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Dr. Emilio Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBEMSCAT), Partido State University (PSU) and Sorsogon State College (SSC). In an interview, Dr. Helen Llenaresas, BU vice president for academic affairs, remarked, We continuously pursue excellence in the university. We are not going to stop and we are not going to sit on our laurels. We are doing this for the students to achieve quality education beyond excellence. Prof. Mary Lou C. Borja, Director, IPESR likewise said that BU- Institute of Physical Education, Sports & Recreation said that they are aiming to be the center for physical education in the region.

o gain independence from the College of Engineering (CENG), the Department of Architecture faculty is already preparing the paper works and feasibility study on the transformation of their department into an institute hoping to finish by September this year. BU is now on its 42nd year and we are offering Architecture for more than 30 years, and yet, we are still one of those few schools wherein Architecture is still attached to the College of Engineering, Architect Reynaldo O. Nacional Jr., head of the Architecture Department said. I think we are ready, so its about time, he added.

Prior to Transformation

Level up

Architect Nacional stated that its about four years ago when the faculty members initiated the feasibility study. He added that its cost came from the facultys apportion and not from the university budget. However, There are data and tracers that are not easy to obtain, thus we will be exhausting all possible means to gather them, he supported. Architect Nacional confidently said that the process of transforming their department into an institute wont take long once the papers are submitted to and endorsed by the administrative council. He also stated that they brought the idea to President Lauraya during her first term and the president was very supportive thats why they were inspired to work on the matter. She wants the Institute of Architecture to be in reality, sooner, its a big milestone in her term, he added. Architect Nacional emphasized that they are not aiming their department to be a college since a college is a fully autonomous entity, its set-up and the organization of its set-up is more complex than an institute. Our goal is to have an operational autonomy, without depending on the College of Engineering. For example, if we want to emphasize something on the program and if we want to create a plan, then we would always be at the mercy of CENG, not to mention waiting for the piece of pie that they will give to us, Arch. Nacional explained. Having only Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Masters of Science in Architecture, the department is looking forward to finish the building located at the side of the Architecture building funded by its alumni and the possibility of funds from Senator Francis Escudero.

As of September 2010, nine programs of BU acquired a Level III Re-accredited status namely Doctoral (Educational Mgt.), Masters (MA Education), Masters (MA Public Administration), Masters (Marketing Management), Masters

Goals of the Architecture Department

He said that it would be enough to accommodate the students since only the professional subjects are being taken there and the minor subjects are being taken in other colleges. He also mentioned that once transformed, they can already move for the growth of the institute. We can already focus more on environmental researches, strengthen the graduate school and the programs being offered, and implement additional programs, he said. The faculty will also be prioritized. They can attend seminars, they can study. Through this, the facultys morale will be pushed, which will also be felt by the students. However, there will be some shortcomings that the institute may encounter once the transformation is done as sighted by Engr. Medel Aligan, assistant dean of CENG. They will be struggling on their financial stability. As of press time, the enrollment of the department is 390. They will have the tuition fee of those 390 students to support their own. That means with the limited budget, they can barely survive, he said. When those 390 students are taken out, the college will be left with 1818 students, the same enrollment we had two years ago and still enough to support the college. It is also said that initially, the funding would still have to come from the college of engineering, still the same except for the academic governance. An academic institute speaks of a separate academic entity. The academic supervision would be the only difference. They would have their own registrar and a director, instead of a dean, Engr. Aligan supported. They will have their own budget separated from the college. Its up to them on how they will utilize it. They have to sustain their own because they want to be independent.

Perception from CENG

By Lou Xavier Lauraya

When asked about his side regarding the transformation of the Department of Architecture into an institute, Engineer Aligan said that theres no problem with it. Its actually how an academic institution should grow because its always been a conflict of engineering and architecture. Most universities have separate college for engineering and an institute for architecture and fine arts, he explained.

When Turned into an Institute

If this [transformation] would be in reality, then its a milestone, that in the 40th year of the College of Engineering, an Institute of Architecture is born.
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TheTHEBicol Universitarian OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF BICOL UNIVERSITY

Editor in Chief Michael Angelo Gallego Associate Editor Amabelle Loremia Managing Editor Ira Jacob Senior Editor Reynard Magtoto Online Content Editor Giovan Ballatan Writers Alyssa Baares, Jeff Geva, Monette Vargas, Chona Hular, Kristel Hermosa, Patricia Miguel, Jomilyn Grutas, Abbygale Ombao, Elaine Lara, Christine Latona Cartoonists Arvill Villamor, Lou Xavier Lauraya, Nick Mangampo Jr., Ralph Carretero, Raul Diaz Jr. Photojournalist Francis Licup Layout Artists Carlo Bernardo, Norberto Manlapas Jr. Webmaster Kathleen Lara Public Relations Staff Mersan Llandelar, Mark Aniel, Jonel Argamosa,Arlene Gandol, Gerrilyn Godoy, Honey Joy Oyardo, Marianne Ocromas Technical Adviser Felipe Jose Peralta
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