CDU celebrates 50th anniversary this year, eyes expansion for global recognition

CEBU CITY – Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) celebrates its 50^th founding anniversary this year with year long activities kicking off on January 31 until November 2023 in time for the birthday of it founder, Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal and eyeing expansion for global recognition as a health-and-service-oriented educational institution from Cebu with the highest standards of transformative practice.

“I want the University to become global even as we have plans to offer new courses applying the proven CDU formula. We can make a difference not only in health-related courses but in other courses, so we can make a greater difference,” CDU president and chairman of the board, Dr. Philip Anthony S.D. Larrazabal said during the press conference and kickoff event at the CDU boardroom on January 31.

Larrazabal added that the University has gone a long way since Dr. Potenciano Veloso Larrazabal Jr. opened the College of Nursing, then School of Nursing in October 1973 to serve the need of the Cebu Doctors Hospital for nurses.

CDU’s oldest employee who worked at the registrar’s office, Bayani Patiluna, saw how the university grew.  He recalled that the School of Nursing had between 200 and 300 students. He had initiated the creation of a university basketball team called CDU White Stallions that had become champion three times. He also taught computer classes as a part-time instructor. He recalled that the university started accepting foreign students in 1980.

Patiluna added that the University first held classes at the current building at Mandaue Reclamation in May 2007.  Patiluna has retired from regular employment with the University but is retained as consultant assigned to the Registrar’s Office for the College of Medicine.  He also continues to teach computer and informatics at the CDU Graduate School.

To address the shortage of doctors, Dr. Potencian Larrazabal Jr. then established the College of Arts and Sciences in 1975, offering the BS Biology program, as a preparatory course for medicine and subsequently established the College of Medicine on April 21, 1977.

Other courses followed such as the Graduate School, College of Dentistry and College of Optometry in 1980; College of Allied Medical Services in 1982; College of Rehabilitative Sciences in 1992; College of Pharmacy in 2004 and Senior High School in 2016.

With its expansion plans, Larrazabal bared that CDU continues to pursue its mission of upholding the highest standards of education that is rooted in the University's shared values of wellness, integrity, service, and excellence in the attainment of the individual's full potential through the embodiment of a ‘transformative culture.’

The University, however, is still doing research on what other courses it will offer but the goal is to bring the quality education it is known for to the new courses.  To achieve this goal, CDU will continue to upgrade its facilities and get certifications not only from local but international certifying bodies for all its courses, Larrazabal added.

Cebu Doctors’ University plans to get higher levels of accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA).

“My goal is to have all courses accredited,” he said.  Aside from getting local accreditation, the University is also seeking ISO accreditation.

CDU’s College of Nursing was granted Level III status by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) last year. It is the first College of Nursing in Cebu and 2nd in Region VII to have been granted this level of accreditation.

The University’s Doctor of Medicine program has been granted by PAASCU a three-year accreditation until 2025.  The University will also pursue more international affiliations with other schools and hospitals. “Our vision is to be globally recognized,” Larrazabal said.

CDU over the years

Over the years, the University has been able to offer courses, most of which are among the top five or top 10 courses in the Philippines. “All of the courses we offer are of excellent quality.  In the past, one had to go to Manila to get quality education but currently CDU students are assured of quality education. In fact, we have some students now coming from Manila,” Larrazabal pointed out.

The University has an in-campus dorm, which has a curfew for out-of-town and foreign students to assure parents of the safety of the students.

The structure being constructed beside the existing building enables CDU to achieve its expansion plans.  The building will have 15 levels and can be upgraded to 17 that include six levels of parking with 1,200 slots, laboratories, gym and multipurpose area as well as jogging paths at the top.

It will house the administrative offices and at the ground floor, the outpatient services such as optometry, rehabilitation, dentistry, radiology and outpatient laboratory.  The senior students will be manning the outpatient services with the guidance of the faculty.

The new building will also feature basketball and badminton courts and will be named PVL building, in honor of the University founder.

To celebrate its 50th founding anniversary which the theme “CDU @50: Providing Transformative Healthcare Education,” the university will have monthly activities with a grand celebration towards the end of the year.

The celebration’s opening salvo was held on January 31 at the CDU North Atrium with the ribbon cutting and opening of the exhibit of the university’s history through the years.  Looking towards the future, Cebu Doctors University will continue to pursue its shared values – the acronym WISE which means Wellness, Integrity, Service and Excellence. (Photos: MBCNewman)

Gov’t approves 2 quick-win initiatives that PSAC recommends for tourism industry

MANILA – The government has implemented two of the quick-win initiatives originally proposed by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) for the tourism industry as it presented to the President updates on the implementations as well as additional strategic recommendations, both quick wins and short-term goals to drive demand and growth in Philippine tourism during PSAC’s meeting with the President on January 26.

This was Robinsons Land Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick D. Go’s final PSAC meeting as Tourism Sector Lead, following his appointment as Presidential Adviser for Investment and Economic Affairs. Regarding his PSAC role, PA Frederick D. Go will be succeeded by JG Summit Holdings President and CEO Lance Y. Gokongwei.

“With pandemic-related travel restrictions lifted, we Filipinos are ready to showcase the Philippines as a world-class tourist destination. PSAC is in support of the administration’s tourism agenda, particularly in boosting infrastructure and systems that will support the many travelers looking to discover the unique beauty of our country,” Go said.

Looking back at the progress in the few short months since the initial meeting, the two executed quick-win initiatives based on PSAC recommendations were: (1) the implementation of Holiday Economics, and (2) the replacement of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) military uniforms with inconspicuous clothing.

First, Holiday Economics means the moving of select holidays to the nearest Monday, thereby increasing the number of long weekends and promoting domestic tourism. On November 11, 2022, less than two months after the initial PSAC Tourism Sector meeting, Presidential Proclamation No. 90 was released declaring the regular holidays and special non-working holidays for the forthcoming year.

In 2023, there will be 10 identified long weekends that Filipinos can enjoy and take advantage of, re-discovering the wonders of the country in this climate of post-lockdown “revenge travel.”

Second, to recall, PCG personnel in military uniform were deployed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to assist in carrying out mandated controls and restrictions.

PSAC recommended replacing the uniforms with inconspicuous clothing to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere for travelers and visitors. In November, the uniforms were replaced with regular attire, and, to date, there are no more PCG personnel deployed at NAIA.

 Considering the success of the quick-win initiatives in jumpstarting the tourism industry, President Marcos accepted PSAC's additional quick-win recommendations based on private sector experience and expertise.

These focused on extending the Philippine e-Visa upon arrival (EVUA) program to Chinese and Indian nationals.

Furthermore, to encourage and increase tourism revenue through local shopping, which is the second largest spend of tourists, PSAC recommended the implementation of the VAT Refund Scheme for Tourists (VRST).

Currently, there are 69 countries that offer VRST, with the Philippines being the only major Asian country without such a scheme.  Both recommendations were accepted by the President, with government agencies already assigned to collaborate and study the most appropriate implementation plans.

The PSAC Tourism Sector also stressed the importance of the traveler experience, which would be improved through the integration of arrival and departure requirements in a single form, along with the automatic inclusion of travel tax in all airline tickets, and the removal of outdated advisories in aircraft and ports of entry.

Looking to establish foundations for a revitalized tourism industry beyond quick wins, PSAC consulted and collaborated with stakeholders to identify three short-term goals that would have far-reaching effects: the improvement of airport infrastructure and operations, the management of the national brand and image, and the promotion of tourism investments. (Photos: PSAC FB/RTVM)

 

 

Converge gives computers to Aeta community while biz centers are collection points for e-waste

MANILA – Converge and Project Angel, a Pampanga-based community of good Samaritans partnered and donated 45 units of tablets, eight units of computers, and food to Aetahanan, a halfway house for Aeta students living and studying in Pampanga. 

The donation aims to help the students cope with blended learning when classes are held online and in-campus. To date, there are about 45 students staying at the dormitory.

“This donation is part of our broader support for marginalized communities in Pampanga. We recognize that one of the most effective ways of helping under resourced students cope with online education is through digital empowerment and we’re doing that with the Aeta community here in Pampanga. We’d like to thank Project Angel for being our partner in this endeavor and bringing our support closer to the children,” Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Jay-Anne Encarnado revealed.

The Aetas sheltered by Aetahanan live in various communities in Pampanga such as in Barangays Sapang Bato, Sapang Uwak, Camias, and Villa Maria.  These barangays are mostly ancestral lands and are at least three hours away by foot from the town where their school is. 

 “Project Angel is proud to co-sponsor this donation with Converge, especially as the Aeta community in Pampanga still struggles with online learning. As we build a better home for our Aeta brothers and sisters, we will continue to support them by giving them access to digital devices,” Converge Learning and Development Partner, Human Resources Department and Project Angel proponent, Christian Villarin said.

Converge biz centers become collection points for e-waste

Fiber internet provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. started deploying collection boxes for electronic waste in three business centers in Pampanga province as it launched its #CountdownToZeroWaste campaign in its hometown Angeles City.

With this campaign, Converge hopes to make headway with its sustainability commitment to have zero output to landfill by 2030 by enjoining its employees, customers, and other stakeholders to donate their unused or broken gadgets, small appliances, and other electrical wastes.

Through partnerships with government-accredited waste recycling companies, the donated e-wastes are hauled, processed, and recycled into new materials such as bricks, chairs, and others, in accordance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) standards.

According to Converge Head of Workplace, Premises and Fleet Management Solomon Joya, the zero-waste campaign is two-pronged as it also aims to further expand the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of the company.  “Proceeds from the zero-waste campaign will be reverted back to our CSR programs to help communities where we operate,” he said.

Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado bared that this is the continuation of the program launched in November 2022 and now in Pampanga.

There are a lot of ways we have to think about committing to zero waste and one of these streams is e-waste, Ercarnado added that as an ISP, Converge has a lot of e-waste, at least 64,000 kilos worth of cables and there are computers in Clark too.

According to Joya one of the pillars of Converge’s sustainability commitment is reducing its waste, one of the ways to do that is to target zero waste to landfill output by 2030, which is aligned with the broader United Nations sustainable development goals.

The e-waste drop boxes are initially deployed at Converge business centers in Dau, Mabalacat, and Clark in Pampanga.  In November, Converge piloted its e-waste campaign in its Metro Manila headquarters in Pasig City.

More e-waste boxes are expected to be rolled out within the year with its next leg to be held in Nueva Ecija in February.

Under the zero-waste campaign of Converge, old tarpaulins used for marketing and other corporate events are being recycled into sustainable tote bags through a partnership with women-led social enterprise Kreations PH. (Photos: Converge FB)

 

Smart, TNT lead NTC's simultaneous SIM Registration in remote areas

MANILA -- PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and value brand TNT have fully complied with the set-up of assisted SIM Registration booths in key remote areas during the nationwide roadshow organized by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to boost SIM Registration especially in far-flung areas.

“It has been a smooth process so far, and it's because of our coordination and whole-of-nation approach to the SIM registration process.  We're hoping to replicate in the pilot areas as well as in the succeeding rollouts of this nationwide SIM registration activity,” PLDT and Smart FVP & Group Head of Corporate Communications, Cathy Yang said.

As January 25, Smart and TNT assisted SIM Registration booths are now operating in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; in Moalboal, Cebu; in Palo, Leyte; Pangantucan, Bukidnon; and in Malalag, Davao del Sur.  Smart and TNT personnel in the booths are also providing a priority lane for seniors, for persons with disabilities, and for those using basic phones, making SIM Registration as inclusive as possible. 

DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo thanked Smart for the help as they have been closely with Smart and other telco providers to ensure that far-flung areas are being reached.  “We're really taking advantage of all possible avenues so that the public knows about the SIM registration process,” Lamentillo added.

 The NTC had earlier mandated public telecommunications entities (PTE) like Smart to deploy assisted SIM Registration booths from January 25 to 27 in five regions per day, hitting one far-flung municipality in each of the identified regions.

Smart and TNT were the first to deploy assisted SIM Registration booths and touchpoints across the country starting December 27, 2022, on the same day that Smart launched its SIM Registration portal http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg.

Smart also organized “Sulong SIM Registration”, the first ever LGU cascade on SIM Registration among Philippine telcos, which drew close to a thousand LGU executives from provincial governments to barangay officials, from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

During the online cascade, representatives from the NTC, DICT, and the DILG urged hundreds of LGU executives to actively collaborate to encourage mobile users across the country to register their SIMs.

According to Atty. Ella Blanca Lopez, OIC Commissioner at the NTC, Smart's drive to get as many subscribers to register their SIMs can only be achieved with the solid and steadfast support of the various local government units, especially in remote areas where aided registration is much needed.

“It is vital that we increase the current pace of daily SIM registration to meet our deadline of April 26, 2023 and the NTC together with PTEs is determined to maximize SIM registration in remote areas.  I appeal to all LGUs to actively take part in our desire to reach as many as many SIM subscribers as possible, and to assist telcos in their aided registration especially in remote areas,” she said.

Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, the first law inked by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., regulates the use of SIM cards, by mandating all end-users to register their SIMs under their name.

Smart made available its SIM Registration portal http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg on December 27, 2022. Through this platform, millions of Smart and TNT customers have been able to conveniently register their SIMs.

Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can register their SIM and get 3 GB FREE data upon completing these steps:  Step 1. Visit http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg; Step 2. Input your information and upload a valid ID and   Step 3. Wait for an SMS confirmation and get 3 GB FREE Data.

Smart is also making SIM Registration more convenient for postpaid subscribers, who simply need to confirm the personal information and IDs they submitted for their postpaid plan application. To do this confirmation, subscribers just need to text YES to 5858. They shall then receive a confirmation message from Smart upon successful SIM Registration. (Photos: Smart)

 

 

 

SIlliman University mourns the passing of National Scientist, Dr. Angel Alcala

​DUMAGUETE CITY— Silliman University (SU) confirmed with deep sadness the passing of National Scientist, Dr. Angel Chua Alcala—a pioneer of marine biodiversity and marine conservation in the Philippines and a pillar of the University who passed away on February 1 at the age of 93.

SU mourns the loss of a scientist, administrator, trustee, professor, morally upright family man, and public servant.

To the country and to the world, Dr. Alcala is an acclaimed biologist and conservationist. He is known for his pioneering work in establishing marine protected areas in the Philippines, which protects marine ecosystems and promotes sustainable fishing, the concept of community-based coastal resource management in the promotion of marine biodiversity.

He also pioneered in the use of artificial reefs as models for fisheries development in the Philippines; and his extensive research on Philippine amphibians and reptiles since the mid-1950s, which led to the discovery of 50 additional species out of the 400 known species in the country.

He has been recognized nationally and internationally for his extensive research and conservation work, including being named a National Scientist in 2014 for his contributions to Philippine biological sciences; being awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1992.

He was also named an ASEAN Biodiversity Hero in 2017; being among the 11 notable Filipino alumni inducted into the first-ever Fulbright Philippines Hall of Fame; and the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.

Dr. Alcala was also a public servant, serving as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary from 1992 to 1995 and the Commission on Higher Education chairman from 1995 to 1999.

Behind the titles and recognitions, Dr. Alcala was a man of competence, character, and faith—hallmarks of a Silliman education that he has carried with him through the decades of his career.

For the SU community, whom he has served in many capacities since he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree, magna cum laude, in 1951, Dr. Alcala has always been one of the most renowned role models of what a Sillimanian is and must strive to be.

After graduating from SU in 1951, he completed his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences at Stanford University in California in 1960 and 1966, respectively.

Dr. Alcala returned to SU as a professor, where he became the College of Arts and Sciences dean, the Marine Laboratory (now known as the Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences) director, and eventually the 9th SU president serving from 1991 to 1992.

He was named an Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee in Biological Sciences in 1988. Aside from his leadership as an educator, among his most notable contributions to SU is the establishment of the Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences in 1974 with Prof. Rodolfo Gonzales and other Biology Department faculty.

In his last years, Dr. Alcala remained active in SU as a Professor Emeritus, Board of Trustees member, and chairman of the Board of Advisers of the SU-Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management.

Dr. Alcala’s work and service, for and with SU, have greatly contributed to SU being the Christian higher educational institution it is today. Without Dr. Angel C. Alcala, SU would not have been able to make the same impact. For these, SU will forever be grateful.

To honor him, the university is putting the flag at half-mast and it will prepare a memorial service that will be announced later.