University of Luzon News Feed

Proposed establishments of international hotel and resort in Dagupan backed

DAGUPAN CITY, Aug. 18 — A university professor considers that the plan of a local investor to build an international hotel in Dagupan City is consistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of the city drawn up by the people in 2003.

Professor Nicanor Melecio, who teaches in the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program of the University of Luzon (UL) , said the CSI Hotel and Resort will be built in Barangay Lucao, one of the areas pinpointed in the CLUP as well as in the zoning plan of the city as a growth area.

Melecio was consulted by five committees of the city council to provide inputs that could guide their decision on a draft resolution pending in the council seeking to endorse the application of the CSI Group of Companies for a location clearance of its project.

The plush CSI Hotel and Restaurant, proposed to be of international standard, will consist of floating cabanas with a wide fishing area, a day resort open to the public and a five-storey hotel that will have three swimming pools reserved for the public as well as hotel guests.

Melecio, who admitted being part of the group that prepared the CLUP, believes the project will not impact on the ecology of the place even if it will be built on former fishponds that used to produce the tasty Dagupan bangus and malaga (siganid).

The professor, who once served as environmental consultant of Mayor Benjamin Lim during his first and second terms of office, observed that the project will be built beside the new Jose de Venecia Expressway Extension.

He admitted that when the CLUP was prepared starting in 2001 and finished in 2003, the highway named after the late father and namesake of then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was still but a dream.

The new highway cut through vast tracts of fishpond lands, marshland and estuaries, complemented by a long bridge that spans across the Pantal River that bisects the city of Dagupan into two parts.

Then Speaker De Venecia, who used his Priority Development Funds for many years in building the project, was regarded as the 'architect and builder' of the new highway which many Dagupenos never expected to rise even in their wildest dream.

In his talk before the city council, Melecio said that with the expressway extension already in place, the fishponds in Barangay Lucao were no longer receiving much water as they should and never faulted the fishpond owners if they now opt for other better uses of their lands.

Melecio said in raising bangus, there should be all the time correct mix of seawater and fresh water.

To date, he said, the new highway practically blocked the flow of freshwater into the fishponds in Barangay Lucao.

“I don’t wonder why some fishpond owners would no longer want to operate their property as fishponds. It is a fact now that many land owners (in the area) no longer want to operate their fishponds as fishponds,” he said.

“The introduction of that development (Jose R. De Venecia Expressway Extension) that cut across the fishponds has to my mind drastically changed the nature of the natural fishponds that we know of,” he added.

Asked by members of the city council committees to expound on this, Melecio said that a fishpond is a fishpond for as long as it is in its natural state —that it has a source of sea water as well as fresh water.

He added the De Venecia Expressway Extension ensured only limited freshwater to the fishponds in Barangay Lucao, thus making them lost their competitiveness as compared to the fishponds in the Bonuan area.

On the other hand, Retired Municipal Trial Court for Cities Judge George Mejia believed that the proposed CSI Hotel and Resort will not violate any national or local law.

He concurred with Melecio that under the city’s Zoning Ordinance of 2005 which was drawn up from the CLUP of 2003, the area where the hotel and resort will build its project Barangay Lucao was identified as a growth area, same as Caranglaan-Tebeng and Bonuan.

Moreover, based on Tax Declaration of the CSI property issued by the City Assessors' Office, it was found out that the land was classified as non-agricultural.

This appeared to be one of the basic considerations why the city council gave the nod for the construction of the CSI Hotel and Resort.

Mejia believed there is no need for a formal conversion of the fishponds in Barangay Lucao into commercial because the Zoning Ordinance of 2005 already effectively converted the land in Lucao as a growth area.

Regarding fears that the project will violate Section 20 of the Local Government Code that gave the city council authority to reclassify agricultural lands to other uses, Mejia said, it is his honest opinion that the term agricultural lands mentioned in that section pertains to public agricultural lands or agricultural lands of public domain and does not refer to private agricultural lands.

“With due respect to all those who disagree, I believe it is within the power of the city council —in fact it is not just its power but a mandated duty– to act on the application of the CSI Group.

He added the early planners of Dagupan City are also to blame because when then Speaker de Venecia was telling on radio that a highway will rise soon over the fishpond lands from Dawel to Lucao, they did not take him seriously.

He said all people of Dagupan, including the city planners and environmentalists, were all caught unaware when the new highway and a modern bridge in the middle finally took shape.

Two Pangasinan educators oppose longer basic education

DAGUPAN CITY, Aug. 6 – Two leading educators in Pangasinan have appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to reconsider his proposal to add two years to basic education, saying this is impractical, especially if the present structural problems in the educational system remain.

The appeal was made by Dr. Mac Arthur M. Samson Sr., regional president of the Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (APSCU), and Dr. Aurora Samson-Reyna, vice president for academic affairs of the University of Luzon in Dagupan City.

Dr. Samson said the country’s educational system is fraught with the perennial lack of classrooms, teachers, textbooks and other school equipment, so adding two more years to basic education will only compound the problem.

“It would only compound the problem as there will be a need for more teachers, classrooms, books, chairs and other materials to support the curriculum," he added.

He said this may further cut back the number of children financially unable to finish school.

Samson said if the plan is implemented, higher educational institutions (HEI) would lose prospective freshmen-enrollees and drive away good faculty members for lack of teaching opportunities created by this vacuum.

He added that there cannot be a dramatic and qualitative change with the addition of one year in the elementary and another one year in the secondary schools.

There is also a need for a pre-university, or "bridge" course, to prepare the incoming freshmen of the requirements of college education, he added.

He called for adoption of a scholastic assessment test (SAT) which is different from the NSAT and its predecessor, the NCEE, after hurdling the pre-university course to determine the proficiency and readiness of incoming college freshmen.

Once the deficiencies are addressed, Samson said, another practical approach would be to establish a formal public pre-school system.

On the other hand, Dr. Aurora Samson-Reyna lamented that many children aged three to below six years old still do not have access to pre-schooling.

As a result, many children lack preparation and "are not ready to learn" when they enter Grade 1, she said.

“Lack of universal pre-schooling is one of the reasons we are being left behind by our neighbors in basic education. We have to improve access to pre-schools if we want to make our children highly competitive at an early age,” Samson-Reyna said.

She commended efforts by local governments supportive of existing barangay day-care centers but the latter are still inadequate to meet the needs of children, she added.

President Aquino’s proposed 12-year education cycle is included in his 10-point agenda where the elementary education will have seven years and five years for high school.

The two educators stressed that Aquino's education advisers said the plan will cost the Philippine government an additional P100 billion spread out in 5 years.

A compulsory pre-school education will only cost the government an additional budget of P41.5 billion, Samson said.

Samson said the new administration should instead strengthen the existing technical and vocational courses for the benefit of the labor market.

President Aquino should first review the existing educational programs of the government because these can be more cost-effectively reformed if given the additional resources, Samson said.

Source: http://balita.ph/2010/08/07/two-pangasinan-educators-oppose-longer-basic-education/

UL seeks Center of Excellence status for teacher program

THE University of Luzon (UL) is aiming for a Center of Excellence (COE) status for its Teacher Education Program under the College of Education.

Representatives from the Technical Board for Teacher Education, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Teacher Education Council visited UL last July 21 for an ocular inspection and validation of its application.

Dr. MacArthur M. Samson Sr., UL president, said the entire UL community has been working hard to achieve the highest levels of competence for its College of Education.

"We are ready to demonstrate the strongest evidence of our devotion to excellence and become a shining example in teacher education," he said.

UL has been recognized by the CHED as a COE for its Criminology program.

In March 2009, UL was elevated to autonomous status by CHED in recognition of its integrity and reputation as an academic institution, adherence to quality education, commitment to public responsibility and accountability as a higher education institution.

Source: http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2010/07/25/ul-seeks-center-of-excellence-status-for-teacher-program/

UL holds fire drill

AS more than 3,000 students and officials of University of Luzon watched, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) rescue unit volunteers rappelled down from the fifth story of the library building, put up ladders and performed a simulated rescue from a non-toxic smoke-filled building.

The demonstrations were part of the building fire scenario rescue operation held July 16 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the July 16, 1990 earthquake.

University of Luzon president Dr. Macarthur Samson Sr. praised the hard work of the 70 complimentary rescue team members from the PDCC headed by Col. Paterno Orduna.

Samson said the simulation drill was needed to remind everyone of the need to be alert.

“The school population needs to know and understand the standard procedures and actions to take in an event of an emergency,” he said.

Source: http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2010/07/18/ul-holds-fire-drill/

EBDANE Speaks for Graduates

Hon. Hermogenes Edejer Ebdane Jr., Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary and an alumnus of the University of Luzon (formerly Luzon Colleges) Civil Engineering Department graced the 89th Commencement Exercises of the University of Luzon held on November 12, 2008 at the Divine Word Academy of Dagupan gym. Ebdane felicitated the mid-year graduates as the affair's commencement speaker.

UN advocate promotes peace

The United Nations Information Center Manila representatives visited the University of Luzon last September 23, 2008. This is a reply to the invitation of ULCLASC (University of Luzon College of Liberal Arts Student Council) President Ralph Pagarigan to disseminate information about the organization's program with the theme, Unity in Diversity.

Ms Agnes Shari Aliman, National Information Officer graced the affair as the resource speaker. Ms. Aliman stressed UN's role in promoting peace in the Philippines specifically in the Mindanao regions, which has been experiencing sporadic clashes that greatly affected the lives of every Filipino living in those regions. The speaker discussed the UN 8 Millennium Development Goals in order to build a better world focusing on poverty, education, equality, child morality, health, HIV/AIDS, environment and development. She emphasized that the role of peace is a significant part for the development of every nation.

Ms. Aliman encouraged the students of UL to be a part of Stand up and take Action (SUTA), to be involved in such program of UN wherein students can participate by taking part in the voluntary work of donating and distributing used books or distributing vitamins to poor communities and through it one can take action against poverty.

1st Youth Summit tackles

The Circle of NSTP (National Service Training Program) Educators and Implementers of Dagupan City in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, Region I, PENRO, City Government of Dagupan City, CENRO, and Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan ng Dagupan conducted the 1st Youth Summit on Climate Change last October 4, 2008 at the Dagupan City People's Astrodome.

Luzonians excel in academic tilt

Five students from the College of Accountancy brought home the bacon after grabbing the top 5 stints in the PICPA- Pangasinan Accounting Quiz Bee last July 29, 2008 held at the University of Pangasinan campus. Universities and colleges from Pangasinan gathered to compete among each other for a battle that tested their knowledge and wit about accounting. Christopher Lalangan and Diana Tenorio clinched the 2nd place. Blas Jordan Matias and Edlyn Joy dela Paz ranked 5th. They were under the supervision of Mr. Renante Balocating and Ms. Cherry Salvador, both faculty members of UL College of Accountancy. The quiz bee was conducted in line with the celebration of the 2008 Accountancy Week with the theme "Vision in One."

College of Nursing holds

After two years of abiding within the classroom and simulated hospital settings, nursing students from the third year level were formally declared worthy of hands-on work with real life patients through the 49th Capping and Pinning Ceremonies held at the City de Luxe Restaurant, Dagupan City last September 12, 2008.

Dr. Mary Grace C. Lacanaria, Dean of the College of Nursing of Saint Louis university, Baguio City graced the ceremony as the affair's Guest of Honor and Speaker. Dr. Lacanaria stressed that since they are now midway on their becoming professional nurses, it is the most ample time for them to be accorded larger and greater responsibilities, duties that would hone their skills necessary for future practice.

UL Gym erected

After several months of its construction which began last summer of this year, the elevated open gymnasium can now be utilized for the different affairs of the university. Dr. McArthur Samson, President of the University of Luzon and an engineer himself, secured the stability and safety of the structure with the Building Supervisor Engr. Nelson Rosario.

The open gym which was allotted P 6M was blessed during a mass which was officiated by Fr. Rojohn Ramirez last December 2, 2008. Dubbed as Don Luis F. Samson Estadio the 660 square meter gymnasium is already at sight.

Sudanese team visits UL

The Educational Monitoring Committee from Sudan comprising of Prof. Alfahiz Elhatir, General Director, General District of Admission and Certificate on Evaluation and Authentication from the Department of Higher Education of Sudan, Prof. Marghani A. Yousef, Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research from the University of Gezira and Prof. Mahjona Sharif, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Omdurman Islamic University visited the University of Luzon last August 28, 2008.

Literacy Month invokes reading

The College of Education together with the Reading Association of the Philippines and Rotary and Innerwheel Clubs of Dagupan East organized a two-day celebration of the 2008 Literacy Month with the aim of encouraging students to return to reading.

The celebration kicked off on September 18 with a whole-day program held at the Muti-Purpose hall with the theme: "Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader." This was graced by Assistant Regional Director of CHED, Dr. Caridad O. Abuan as the Guest Speaker. Dr. Aurora Reyna, the Vice-President of UL and President of the Reading Association of the Philippines also gave a speech about how education with the proper reading develops leadership. Dr. Dominador Rayos, President of the Rotary of Dagupan East was also present.

Creative displays of instructional materials created by the education students were set to encourage all students of UL to appreciate the fun in learning through reading.

A Community Outreach Program on Salisay Day Care Center and St. John Day Care Center on September 19 was observed by the education students as a part of the two-day affair.

UL Kicks off Diamond Year

The University of Luzon in celebration of its 60th anniversary opened with a motorcade along the major thoroughfares of Dagupan last December 15, 2008.

Lead by no less than the Dr. Aurora Samson-Reyna together with the college deans ,faculty , employees and students donned their costumes and rode on their respective floats essaying "the world of fantasy". Popular telefantasia characters were aped. From Dyosa to Gagambino, Dyesebel to Encantadia, Snowhite and the Olympian Gods and Goddesses seemed to have left their kingdoms to join the UL celebration. It was an array of color and excitement that UL was suddenly transformed into a fantasy land.

In line with the Christmas celebration, other events were the MR. UL 2008 Pageant. MS. UL 2008 Beauty Pageant, Student's Jam, Faculty-Employee Frolics, Employees' Night, MS. Gay UL 2008. The celebration culminates in February, 2009.

Luzonian Bags MS. Dagupan 2008 Beauty Title

The University of Luzon is truly at its best as Aimee Flor Romero, a Tourism freshmen bagged the Ms. Dagupan 2008 beauty pageant last December 16, 2008 held at the city plaza. Aimee bested 21 other candidates representing the different barangays of Dagupan. Two other Luzonians shared the limelight as Lotis Vallejos of College of Nursing landed 4th runner-up and Maureen Mendoza of the College of Education as one of the 10 semi-finalists.

A few weeks after winning the Ms. Dagupan Title Aimee Flor was named MS. Liberation 2008 in a pageant held in Lingayen, Pangasinan. The 17 year old stunner is also the reigning Ms. UL Valias 2008.

SOMINTAC LEADS NEW UL CRIMINOLOGISTS

Dr. Ester B. Vedaña, dean of the College of Criminology of the University identifies the new UL Criminologists who passed the licensure examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission last May 2006.

Sally A. Somintac from Lingayen, Pangasinan who placed 16th in the said examination led this batch of successful examinees.

The others who made it include: Jimmy R. Abbatuan, Jorge T. Ambeguia, Rechie Q. Camacho, Albert S. Dela Cruz, Dialyn T. Dela Cruz, Mario M. Domantay, Rodel D. Fernandez, Crisanto F. Lemon, Jr., Renante A. Niebres, Mark Oliver A. Quinto, II, Emerson D. C. Sison, Grace L. Tactac and Abe L. Velasquez.

According to Dean Vedaña, our graduates performed well in the May exams of last year as UL was rated as the number 1 Criminology school in Region 1 with the highest passing percentage.

“Just the same, we are happy and proud of this batch who made it because its collective performance eclipsed the national passing percentage”, Dean Vedaña, emphasized.

“Our immediate goal is the Level III accreditation of our program which will place the university prominently in the educational map of the Philippines as the first university to be granted level III status for its BS Criminology program not only in Region 1 but in the whole country as well”, Dean Vedaña enthusiastically enthused.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE YIELDS BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

The College of Engineering and Architecture of the University with Engr. Elmer U. Nazareno at the helm bounces once more with its traditionally high passing percentage in licensure examinations.

Dean Nazareno identifies the new master electricians, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers who passed as of April 2006.

The following are our successful master electricians: Bryan C. Alipio, Jerome T. Almonte and Elmer T. Tabin, Albert V. Martin, Wilton J. Senin and Ryan V. Rosario are our new electrical engineers.

Completing the list of our successful mechanical engineers are: Ehmil Rex Q. Agas, Joseph C. Balanza, Benjamin Bernard C. Biason, Mark Gianfranco S. Estonillo, Juneden Save P. Telina, Jayvee D. G. Fernandez, Jester Paul K. Foronda, Wilbert A. Tindoc and Vicente L. Uy.

On the other hand, Mac Daniel G. Ferrer, Jesus O. Pastorin and Renato V. Soriano are our new Civil Engineers.

Dean Nazareno expressed elation ones these impressive records chalked up by our graduates in the licensure examinations.

UL COLLEGE OF NURSING RANKS NUMBER 1 IN REGION 1

Dean Virginia S. Terrado of the College of Nursing and Midwifery proudly announces that in the recent Licensure Examinations for Nurses given last December 2005, UL ranks number 1 in Region 1 with the highest passing percentage.

Dean Terrado identifies the following new UL nurses: Pena P. Arenas, Rousselyn A. Bernardo, Ryan Jeremy Z. Beltran, Alexandra R. Bruno, Karen Grace R. Bulatao, Ricardo Calulut Jr., April Dianne A. Carcha, Nicole Ann P. Cruz, Corleto Emmanuel S. delos Santos, Princess Jacel A. Esguerra, Lyra C. Jimenez, Raymund C. Padilla, Amihan R. Pascua, Mylene Sagaoinit, Maricel G. Serquina, Nancy V. Sison, Jerome R. Solomon, Camelle Carol M. Soriano, Maria Laureen Cecilia C. Suarez, Freddie Umali II, Lani Velasquez and Eric M. Reloza.

"Our record of achievement speaks for itself", Dean Terrado concluded.

UL, CANADIAN DENTAL TEAM STEERS 2ND ANNUAL KIA DENTAL DRIVE

The University of Luzon (UL) has once again broken new grounds for the 2nd Annual Kindness-in-Action (KIA) Dental Driveheld in the province, listing up quite a number of beneficiaries for the weeklong provincial dental mission.

Kindness-in-Action Service Society of Alberta, a non-partisan Canadian-based socio-civic oriented group of dental luminaries-cum-volunteers sent a tem of seven men for the 2006 Philippine Dental Mission which kicked off in the province last January 9. The University of Luzon, for its part, detailed the entire staff of its integrated Extension Services Unit headed by the UL integrated Extension Services Director, Prof Carmelo John E. Vidal, and Unit Coordinator Mr. Anastacio B. Aquino, and a lineup of competent working staff composed of students and faculty members from the university’s College of Nursing under the deanship of Prof. Virginia Terrado and the University Clinic headed by Officer in charge DR. Teresita Celestina Fuentes, University in-house Dentist Dr. Herminia Abulencia and in coordination with the Luzon Medical Center.

MISS UNIVERSITY OF LUZON AND FILIPINO WOMANHOOD

Last Friday, the University of Luzon observed the final culminating event of its 57th Anniversary - the much awaited and much talked about - Miss UL 2005.

The pageant is one of the most widely anticipated events in the university calendar as glamorous and talented contestants from each college vie for the honor of winning the much-coveted Ms. UL crown.

Madame Aurora M. Samson Reyna, vice president for academic affairs of the UL, intimated that the holding of the annual search for Ms. UL is a celebration of the Filipino womanhood.

"Historically, the East and West met in the Philippines and happily blended. Of this happy marriage no better manifestation can be found than in Filipino womanhood. Truly, it can be said in our women, East is West and West is East. It will be vain, if not fruitless effort to attempt to draw a dividing line between what is East and what is West in the sterling qualities that adorn the Filipina of today," Madame Reyna said.

For the winners, Lady Luck smiled upon the candidate representing the College of Education/High School, Ms. Noriellyn A. Lasam, who won the Miss U. L. 2005 crown. First runner award went to Ms. Catherine D. Wee of the College of Hotel & Restaurant Management - Tourism & Applied Technology who also romped off with almost all the minor titles while Ms. Novilaine R. Navato of the College of Nursing was adjudged second runner up.

* * * * *

The academic Olympics 2005, one of the features of the weeklong anniversary festivities of the University, was truly a remarkable success. The winners were: Debate - College of Commerce & Secretarial (Champion); College of Accountancy (1st Runner Up); Quiz Bee - College of Accountancy (Champion); College of Hotel & Restaurant Management (1st Runner Up); College of Medical Technology & Pharmacy (2nd Runner Up); Extemporaneous Speech - College of Accountancy (Champion); College of Engineering & Architecture (1st Runner Up); College of Commerce & Secretarial (2nd runner Up); and for the Essay - College of Liberal Arts (Champion); College of Accountancy (1st Runner Up); and College of Commerce & Secretarial (2nd Runner Up).

To all the winners, congratulations!

CONSISTENTLY ON TOP

The University of Luzon (UL) is celebrating its 57th year anniversary as an institution of higher learning devoted to the cause of true education from February 28 to March 4, 2005.

Madame Aurora M. Samson-Reyna, vice president for academic affairs of the UL, announced to the mammoth crowd during the opening ceremonies that UL, aside from having been granted its Level II second reaccredited status in 2003, is the most accredited University in the Region.

Also in 2003, UL was awarded as one of the top 10 private higher education institutions in the country with the most number of accredited academic programs being the lone provincial HEI - awardee by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, Commission on Accreditation (Pacucoa).

This feat was replicated, when very recently, UL was chosen as one of the very few HEI's all over the Philippines with the highest number of accredited academic programs and majors under Category B by the Pacucoa, the only one to have made it in Pangasinan and the region, making it strongly manifest that UL is the most accredited deregulated university in Region 1.

Continuing, she said during the almost six decades of our institution's fruitful existence, UL has been a bulwark in the local education scene. Its high standards and the success of thousands of its graduates have helped enrich the country and guard its freedom.

For this, Reyna commended such selfless, unpretentious but distinguished educators and patriots like Dr. Luis F. Samson, Sr., Dean Basilio Fernandez, and Atty. Liberato Ll. Reyna Sr. who founded the then Luzon College of Commerce and Business Administration in that fateful year of 1948, which is the forerunner of what is now known as the University of Luzon, acclaimed as the people's university.

Aside from the traditional mass demonstration, the UL Drum and Bugle Corpse exhibitions, UL Theatre and Dance & Company and UL Chamber Chorus cultural presentations, the Search for the Miss UL, Academic Olympics, and Food Feast, another featured activity during the commemorative rites will be the launching of the University of Luzon as a call center training institution in the province and the region with a symposium on "UL: Responding to the Challenges and
Opportunities in the Call Center Industry" with Prof. Elvira Lim, chairman of the English Department of the University of the East as resource lecturer.

This corner salutes President Luis F. Samson Sr. who has been at the helm of the University since 1948 to the present for his energy and vision.

As head of this institution for the past 57 solid years, Samson is probably the longest ever reigning president of an institution of higher learning not only in the Philippines, and Asia but the whole world.

Congratulations, sir!