ASU Holds Extension Program In-House Review

by Sally R. Villasis

Aklan State University (ASU) held In-House Review to determine the effectiveness of the extension programs and projects of different academic units, through its Extension and Community Services (ECS). The University Extension Program In-House Review was held on September 11-12, 2012 at the ASU Review Center, Banga, Aklan.

Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, Vice President for Academic Affairs represented ASU President, Dr. Danilo E. Abayon.  She highlighted the recognitions in extension ASU gained.

“We are not to rest on our laurels in the Extension and Community Services, but we must be challenged to enhance our knowledge exchange,” Relingo stressed.

“For extension, being the Center of Development for Agriculture Education, we have the responsibility to help our fellow SUCs in the Region in capability building not only in instruction and research but also in extension. Not only to share but to enhance more our capability,” she added.

Prof. Alexander I. Ramos, ECS Director noted on House Bill 2085, A Proposed Magna Carta for Extension Workers, which stipulates that “Extension work is by all means a task not for the faint-hearted.  It is an undertaking which can only be given justice by those who are strong-willed yet yielding to those who are most in need.” 

He also stressed that the University had proven to be at the helm in this undertaking.  More are yet to be done to become better and best in the continued delivery of our extension service interventions.  It has to be relevant and responsive to the needs of the communities in the light of the realities that the country is now experiencing and will face in the future.

“Our research and extension work to be efficient and effective must be merged in tandem with the efforts in science and technology, industry, agriculture, energy and other sectors,” Ramos pointed out.

Awarded as the Best Paper, Completed Category is “Integrated Extension Development Programs for Katunggan it Ibajay (KII) as Century Old Mangrove Eco-Park,” authored by Dr. Villorente, RL Saladar, PR Israel, CU Navarra,  LM Macoy, RAS Inocencio, MA Gaviola, A Saturnino, BEM Roquero, CM Tumaca and HC Ruzgal.

For the On-going Category, the Best Paper is “Empowering Community People towards Gaining Responsibility of Their Own Health: A Comprehensive Community-based Health Program,” authored by CJ Palma-Remaneses, G Lapuz, S Zabala, D Lariosa, J Villanueva, AM Sacamay, J Ang, J Casemero and S Pimentel.

Awarded as Best Paper, Proposed Category is “Blooming Muguing: Livelihood  and Nutrition Intervention  for  Social Transformation,” authored by EP Vedasto, AM Relingo, LJ Teodosio, MM Teodosio, JR Pajo, ER Orlina, N Santiago, WR Leyson, G Masigon, CI Navarra, AI Irader, H MSaladar,  PR Flores, GG Bullo, E Flores, YP Ruiz and M Calizo.

Recognizing the expertise of the ASU’s partner institutions, panel evaluators were invited to assist in achieving the goal of enhancing the research and development initiatives of ASU.  

The panelists were Dr. Alicia L. Lustica, Regional Technical Director for Ecosystem, Research and Development Service of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 6; Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, Research Director of West Visayas State University and Chairman, PASUC VI – Extension Managers Council, Inc.; Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, Member, ASU Board of Regents and Dr. Benny A. Palma, Professor VI and former University President. 

ASU Bags Awards In PASUC VI

Two extension programs of the ASU won top prizes during the 3rd Regional Extension Symposium led by the Philippine Association State Universities and Colleges VI – Extension Managers’ Council, Inc. (PASUC-EMC, Inc.) on August 30, 2012 at Madrangca, San Jose, Antique.

The “Eco-Health  Agenda”  Program:Through the Eyes of Partner-Beneficiaries won First Place in the Health Category. The program was a joint effort of Carol Joy Palma-Remaneses, Generlyn Lapuz, Dahlia Lariosa, and Salbie Zabala.  

On the other hand, the Mangrove Tree Nursery Development Towards Enhanced Reforestation of Wetlands: The ASU Initiative by Fred P. Mejia and Ronnie J. Dela Cruz won 1st Runner-up in the Environment Category. 

According to Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, PASUC VI-EMC, Inc. Chairman, the symposium aimed to provide a venue for interactive sharing of experiences and best practices in extension, create collaboration among extensionists in Region 6, identify and analyze constraints and opportunities in extension, and also aimed to strengthen the capability of PASUC 6 extensionists.

“This year’s symposium has a total of 26 papers, with five categories.  These papers are very good harvest for the PASUC Extension Managers Council as well as to the respective State Universities and Colleges (SUCs),” Gabinete added.

Dr. Victor Navarra, University of Antique President stressed that for SUC to flourish, extension programs are indeed essential, because through linkages and coordination with people in the community, it fulfills our vision, mission and goals.

Dr. Navarra highlighted the pains and joys of extension work, sustaining the enthusiasm may be difficult but the joy is immeasurable when the clients are adopting the technologies and knowledge being shared with them.  /MP