Magallanes boosts admin, faculty, leads major initiatives

By Niño Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

Among other things, President Editha L. Magallanes
sought to build on the strength of the community
in order to accomplish the vision and mission of the University.

In the past school year, the Capiz State University administration under the leadership of President Editha Magallanes led the tour of the ten (10) campuses to deliver a number of tasks. President Editha L. Magallanes made sure to brief the campus administrators, faculty and staff on the latest budget scheme as per the normative funding. In so doing, the administration sought to reinforce and encourage the teaching-learning effectiveness while identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the University to improve instruction.

And throughout the year, President Editha L. Magallanes deemed it wise to conduct monitoring and evaluation of accomplishments of the ten campus administrators to ensure that teaching and learning activities are made favorable to the students and the faculty.

Through the efforts of the administration, Capiz State University accomplished the NBC 461 4th Cycle evaluation of the faculty members. And to date, under Dr. Magallanes, the CapSU administration submitted for NBC 461 5th Cycle Evaluation to the Zonal Center for professional growth of the faculty. To keep them abreast with the needs of the times, the administration facilitated the attendance and participation of faculty members in seminars, trainings workshops and similar other activities designed to equip and enhance their competence and performance.

In July 2010, Dr. Magallanes also took the initiative to host a one-day seminar for all faculty and staff on health care. This was done to give everyone proper guidance and tips on how to maintain good health and become healthy individuals both in mind and body. Dr. Romeo F. Baron, both a doctor and a nutritionist, made waves in the CapSU community when he presented to debunk old myths on health and nutrition. The whole-day lecture and forum that rather shook some people from their comfort zones and old-school expertise wowed and drew favorable criticism and appreciation from the faculty and staff from all the ten campuses.

Recognizing the importance of information campaigns on vital issues affecting its constituents, Capiz State University hosted the Seminar on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Act Providing for the Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government and for other Purposes. Then, to provide support for all employees on their compensation, the University also hosted a conference on Retirement Plans and Benefits under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Inspired to learn skills on how to deliver prompt performance and thereby render efficient management, the University faculty and staff attended the Performance Management System Office Performance Evaluation System, the so-called PMS-OPES headed by Director Cynthia P. Gellegani of the Civil Service Commission, Provincial Office.

To update the faculty and staff on the legal implications of students and personnel matters particularly in public schools, President Magallanes sought the expertise of Atty. Ulpiano P Sarmiento III, representative of the A Teacher party list in the 14th Congress. The initiative was well lauded by the participants across the ten campuses.

With confidence in their competence and commitment, President Editha L. Magallanes
considers the best for the CapSU faculty—thus she fully supports personnel movement,
if only to reward their efforts and daily sacrifices.

And effective January 13, 2010, Capiz State University officially became Civil Service Accredited, while its implementation took effect on October 1, 2010.

The CapSU Board of Regents likewise facilitated the submission of Resolution for the Construction of the Two-storey Administration Building through the efforts of Cong. Eulogio R. Magsaysay, representative of the Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) Party List whose scholarships also benefited the poor but deserving CapSU students.

In her best effort to provide conducive working environment to the Central Administration personnel and staff, President Editha L. Magallanes promptly moved for the renovation and construction of the offices of the Internal Audit Section, Budget Section, Accounting Section, Human Resource Division (HRD), Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and Supply and Property.

Through linkages with government agencies and institutions like the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Army Reserve Command based in Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, the administration of President Editha L. Magallanes pursues partnerships for the sake of the CapSU constituents. This renders the University a dynamic and fruitful leadership in the Province of Capiz.

Moreover, the central administration personnel particularly the human resource department submitted the supplemental plantilla and other DBM requirements for the release of Allotment for the re-classification of positions. The administration also had the service records of faculty and staff encoded and emailed to the GSIS database and portal and also facilitated the reclassification of 18 non-teaching personnel.

The National Board Circular No. 461 allows for the promotion
of CapSU teaching personnel corresponding their
increased level of academic performance

In December 2010, the Department of Budget and Management’s NBC No. 461 5th Cycle Evaluation allowed for the cross-ranking and promotion of some 204 teaching personnel across the ten campuses.

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.