Calora Jr: BSU’s centennial president officially installed

By Aldwin Quitasol

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Challenges and hopes coming from government officials of Benguet greet Dr. Feliciano G. Calora Jr. during his investiture Tuesday here as Benguet State University's sixth and centennial president.

La Trinidad Mayor Edna Tabanda said the municipality finds a new hope in Calora as he is a forester.

She noted that the university president pursued his baccalaureate, masters and finished his doctorate in forestry in the University of the Philippines of Los Baños (UPLB) Laguna.

She added that through his leadership, the local government and the university will strengthen cooperation in bringing academic and public service to the people.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan said he BSU academe contributed a lot to the province in becoming globally competitive.

He said BSU through the years worked with the provincial government in developing quality and competitive agricultural products with their academic researches and actual participation in production.

He added that BSU had actually been doing it since it was established.

"We hope that with Calora's leadership, the university will help a lot in improving the irrigation for the vegetable gardens," Fongwan said.

He added knowing the university president as a forester, the BSU can help a lot in the preserving and maintenance of the province's forests to ensure continuity of agricultural life cycle of the province and he Cordillera Region.

In his speech, Calora said in ensuring retention of the university's academic and service excellence, his administration will be guided by five-core values.

He said his four-year term will be run as student-centered, leader-centered, integrity, diversity, efficiency and service oriented one.

He said in addressing the environment especially forests, integration of science and technology is much needed.

He said through intensive research and consultation with communities, appropriate measures can be feasible.

Calora added to ensure productivity and competitiveness of farmers, communicating with them is essential.

He said that with academic and technical expertise and full support of the government, the farmers can topple any challenges and improve their lives for the better.

In 1916, the Mountain Province State Agricultural College (MSAC) was established and renamed later as BSU in 1986 as chartered university.