8 doctors vie for BSU presidency

By Rocky Ngalob

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Though forbidden to cheer to maintain formal forum, applause and cheers echoed walls of Benguet State University (BSU) gymnasium here as eight applicants for the vacated position of president presented their vision, mission and goals for the University in public forum here last week.   

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

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 which earned a loud applause from the students.

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. The gym erupted with cheers when one applicant said, “I will see to it that most, if not all personnel will be given the chance to go overseas for benchmarking”.

Indigenous students stood and lauded one applicant when she mentioned IP researches and programs to 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, “we bring technical and vocational course closer to these less privileged communities of Benguet”, she said.

“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 LaTrinad as 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 also where all in a chorus, saying that they will uphold the University’s original ‘Student First’ policy.

Though momentarily stalled due to the power interruption, all of the applicants were able to answer the questions coming from both the audiences and University representatives. Most applicants support the 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.

The OIC President, Jones Feleciano closed the forum bidding his ‘good lucks’ to all of the applicants as he looks forward in working with whoever will be choosen as the next University President.

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 PatselynBotiwey.

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.