8 doctors vie for BSU presidency

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet–The Benguet State University (BSU) is now marking its 30 years of existence as eight applicants are vying for the vacated position of president.

The eight applicants are doctors Grace Bengwayan, Feliciano Calora Jr., Felipe Comila, Nieves Dacyon, Dominador Garin, Percyveranda Lubrica, Janet Luis and Diosdado Zulueta.

From the eight applicants, it will shortlisted to four by the search by the search committee composed of Dr. Emerlinda Roman, Dr. Louisa Pladio, Dr. Romulo Malvar, Gerry Lab-Oyan, Atty. Benjamin Sapitula, MerelynDela Cruz and Patselyn Botiwey.

After the short listing, the four applicants will be forwarded to the board of regents. From there, the board will be voting for the next BSU president.

Then University president Ben Ladilad vacated the executive position for early retirement from service.

The Commission on Education then appointed BSU vice president of business affairs Dr. Jones Feleciano as officer in charge president and from there on the BSU executive position was opened to aspirants.

Most applicants mentioned renovating sports facilities like the decades-old track oval. One mentioned paving the track oval with rubber while others declared adding a sports swimming pool for the students benefit.

Applicants also mentioned personnel development not only among teaching personnel but non-teaching as well.

One applicant said IP researches and programs should be integrated in the University’s agenda. Recognizing the need of an IP University in the country, this applicant said that she will establish BSU as the first IP University in the country.

Delegations from the BSU external campuses hailed one the female applicant when she mentioned of transforming BSU Bokod and Buguias to technical and vocational campuses to cater the needs of the far flung communities of Benguet and its nearby municipalities, “to bring technical and vocational course closer to these less privileged communities of Bengue.”

“To further disseminate BSU researches to our main benefactors, the farmers, we need to erect our own radio station which will not focus on broadcasting researches but to gather queries from the marginalized agricultural sector as well”, said by another applicant which was lauded by the University researchers and farmer attendees.

In line to the research and extension function contributing beyond the University walls, one applicant mentioned foreseeing the municipality of LaTrinidadas the ‘Science Municipality’ if not ‘Science City’ in the Cordillera, in which the beating heart will be BSU.    

Applicants highlighted climate change mitigation and environment protection in their University Mission. Most of them cited the restoration of the Balili River as their springboard towards their climate change mitigation programs.

Applicants said they will uphold the University’s original ‘Student First’ policy.

Most applicants support pleas coming from the non-teaching sector for their representation in the Board of Regents.

On the University Land Use Plan, a question coming from the Alumni Association, most of them stated sobriety and let the law takes it course. Others however mentioned having a dialogue between the informal settlers in settling land disputes and that filing of legal suits should be the least option.