Power & knowledge

CapSU managers, directors discuss power, the lack of it and the best way to use it

By Niño Saavedra Manaog

University Extension Associate II

Capiz State University

In the seminar titled “Attitude, Skills and Knowledge Enhancement for Directors and Managers (ASKED) hosted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Region 6 on July 20–22, 2011 at MVW Restaurant in Roxas City, some 14 managerial personnel of the Capiz State University (CapSU) actively joined the discussion on power and leadership led by Fr. Joel R. Eslabra, parish priest of the municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo.

During Eslabra’s workshop, CapSU campus administrators, deans and directors expressed various insights and ideas on the powerful, the powerless and the empowered.

For Bede Ozaraga, administrator of CapSU Dumarao Campus, a leader is characterized by good character, humility and professional will.

Mr. Johnny Dariagan, executive assistant at CapSU Roxas City had to say that powerful people can influence people to act; can even coerce them if they will. For Dariagan, the powerless are those who cannot go against the will or wishes of their leaders. Moreover, empowered people are those who are not dictated upon by leaders but are enabled to act for themselves and not just be acted upon.

Mr. Rogie Dadivas, student affairs director of CapSU Roxas City said “I came to realize that it’s my attitude that will determine my attitude not my aptitude. For Dadivas, "the more power given to me the more responsibility is laid on my shoulder."

Mr. Joseph Febhos Magsipoc, currently human resource director of the CapSU system, considers himself “empowered, but I admit that I am most lacking when I heard the lecture. There’s much that I still have to change in myself.”

Dr. Pedro Gavino, director of CapSU’s University Business Affairs Office (UBAO), said that power must come from within the person. For Gavino, if one is powerless, he can think of many things to help other people.

Meanwhile, Campus Administrator Annalie Campos of CapSU Sigma said that managers should be humble with their positions. We leaders are not powerful individuals but always consider other people’s feelings. Material things are not essential. “Life is worth living if we have done good deeds and good things,” Campos added. Mr. Fortunato Azarcon, department chairman at CapSU Sigma said that power should not be used for personal interest.

Mr. Audie Belargo, a fishery major who is the manager of Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Capiz in Roxas City believes that managers can celebrate the good with people. Citing author Spencer Johnson, Belargo commits to the belief that it is best for manager “to catch people doing right not wrong.”

CapSU serves as partner member agency working with FITS OPA Capiz under the partnerships and linkages led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

For her part, Dr. Cora Navarra, director of external affairs and linkages for CapSU asserts that “nobody must feel superior to others.” The former dean of CapSU graduate school believes that one may be a manager or president, but such position should even make him humble, understanding and patient. For Navarrra, we should be channels of God’s blessings so that others may see and appreciate every blessing, “every little miracle in their lives.”

According to Ms. Nelfa Ampatuan, senior personnel specialist of CSC Region 6 and facilitator-in-charge, ASKED aimed to teach participants on “techniques and principles necessary to govern managerial work.”

A follow-through of CSC’s Basic Effective Supervisory Training (BEST) in 2010, ASKED takes off from the premise that what is important is not our talents and abilities but our attitude toward people and things.”

The CapSU managers and directors joined a group of personnel coming from government personnel including the Department of Education, local governments across Capiz.