By Rommel M. Azucena, Jr.
Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 14, 2020 at the Function Hall, Green Building, CHMSC Talisay Campus.
The MOU between CHMSC and the Province of Negros Occidental is relative to the accommodation of CHMSC of the Province’s identified scholars for graduate studies particularly in Master in Public Administration (MPA) and Doctor in Public Administration (DPA) program.
“The continuing professional development program ought to be given today by Governor Bong Lacson was only a dream before but you know what, sometimes we also have to let our dreams go in order to allow God to bring them back to us – in His way, and in His timing, we have been blessed because we believed,” CHMSC Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay B. Estrellas said.
“Rest assured that entrusting with us the continuing professional education of the 200 government employees you have committed with CHMSC will really be taken care of properly. We will give them nothing but the best education and training as far as public administration is concerned,” he added.
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding were CHMSC President Norberto P. Mangulabnan and Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” V. Lacson and witnessed by Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay B. Estrellas, College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies Program Chair Jose Lizael Lampinez, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Augustin Ernesto Bascon, and Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division (NOSPD) Head and Public Information Officer Karen Dinsay.
Also present in the ceremony were Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, CHMSC Vice President for Administration and Finance Rosalinda S. Tuvilla, Vice President for Research and Extension Andrew Eusebio S. Tan, Chief Administrative Officer – Finance Division Atty. Juliet Pasustento, Executive Directors Edwin H. Bugna – Alijis Campus, Joevelle Vergara – Binalbagan Campus, Rino Del Castillo – Fortune Towne Campus, College Secretary Mary Leanne A. Laganhon, PhD, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Arjay Y. Alvarado, PhD, College of Education Dean Noralyn S. Esona, PhD, Director for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Ma. Rosa S. Caraballe, PhD, Director for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Ma. Victoria G. Violanda, and Director for External Affairs Rhoderick K. Samonte.
“In the midst of this challenge faced by the government, we have our government employees silently working day in and day out to deliver the necessary governmental services needed by the public, despite their personal fear of the virus,” Governor Lacson said.
“And it is for this reason that this MOU Signing Ceremony is more meaningful today. Yes, we have long acknowledged the need to empower our government employees but the occurrence of this pandemic amplified the importance of government work. Given these, the need to empower government employees has gone beyond the question of choice; and has become a necessity,” he added.
Lacson also thanked Carlos Hilado Memorial State College for partnering with the Province of Negros Occidental in this pursuit and the province’s scholars for choosing to work for the province.
“CHMSC is truly grateful to this opportunity to be of service to our fellow Negrense. Continuing and advancing education is something that is innate in the development and nurturance of our people,” CHMSC President Norberto P. Mangulabnan, PhD said.
“It is a dictum that anyone in the position of responsibility has to adhere to in the name of genuine public service. Even during this most trying time of COVID-19 pandemic, education must be provided and sustained, lest we succumb to stagnation and possible loss of human capital,” Pres. Mangulabnan added.
The agreement will take effect on the second semester of academic year 2020- 2021.
