Usep hosts forum on charter reforms

MORE than 200 participants from the different State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Regions 11 and 12 attended the Forum on Constitutional Reforms: Its Relevance to Higher Education, Peace and Development held at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Social Hall, Obrero, Davao City on April 18.

The forum, envisioned to assess the thoughts and encapsulate the views of the academic community, particularly state higher education institutions, on the call for constitutional reforms was organized by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (Pasuc) in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Commission on Higher Education (Ched) in partnership with Usep.

Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, Usep President and Member of the Forum Management Committee welcomed the participants and urged them to promote conversations about federalism.

Dr. Nasser A. Salain, President of the Basilan State College said the activity aims to facilitate meaningful discussions tackling regional issues and concerns while increasing awareness on the different concepts and models of Federalism; stimulate the minds of the academic stakeholders as sources of ideas and knowledge to empower the community on agenda for inclusive constitutional change; evaluate the impact of the call for constitutional reform primarily on the Philippine Higher Education; establish concepts on how Federalism can help achieve the twin goals of peace and development for the advancement of the country; and gather all the results and outputs from regional for a and arrive at a concensus model related to the goals. This will be presented in the Annual General Assemby of all SUCs in July 2017.

“My presence today before you would make a difference not just being an officer of PASUC but as a concerned Basileño who is always aspiring for a genuine and lasting peace for my homeland,” Dr. Salain said.

Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, President of Caraga State University talked about Concepts and Models of Federalism: Issues and Concerns. The topic on Federalism in the Philippines as the Next Logical Step for Real Change was tackled by Mr. Conrado Generoso, consultant of the DILG Task Team on Federalism. Former Ched Commissioner Dr. Alex B. Brillantes presented the topic on Constitutional Reform: Federalism and Its Impacts on Public Higher Education.

Participants of the forum were administration, faculty, staff and students of the different SUCs in Davao and Soccsksargen Regions. These include the Compostela Valley State College led by the Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Roque Lancoy; the Davao del Norte State College led by the President Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan; the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology led by President Dr. Edito B. Sumile; the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology led by the President Dr. Irvin C. Generalao; the University of Southern Mindanao led by the President Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia; the Sultan Kudarat State University led by the President Dr. Rolando F. Hechanova; the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College led by the President Dr. Dammang S. Bantala; the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology led by the President Dr. Samson L. Molao; and the host institution, Usep. (Bayang and Pagkaliwagan)