Chancellor Joane V. Serrano presided over the first meeting of the expanded Chancellor’s Advisory Committee (CAC) on 13 March 2025 at the Audio-Visual Room, UP Open University (UPOU), Los Baños, Laguna.
The meeting aimed to orient the new UPOU administration on the university’s Strategic Vision and guide units in aligning their initiatives with the strategic goals. With guidelines prepared by the Office of the Chancellor, she encouraged offices to review existing programs, adapt them for better alignment, and propose new initiatives, which will be presented at the strategic planning workshop in May 2025.
She also emphasized ethical leadership, integrity, and transparency in university operations, citing Republic Act 6173, the UP Faculty Code of Conduct, and the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) guidelines on social media. To promote transparency and open communication, she directed OPA and the ICT Development Office to redevelop the UPOU e-Bulletin as an official hub for university updates.
As part of her continued advocacy, Chancellor Serrano reaffirmed UPOU’s commitment to gender mainstreaming and inclusion, ensuring gender-responsive policies are integrated into human resources and administrative systems.
The meeting also addressed other academic, financial, and administrative matters and marked the first assembly of newly appointed UPOU officials.
The CAC serves as a forum for discussing policy proposals, coordinating plans, and deliberating on important matters requiring the Chancellor’s approval.
The “core” CAC, chaired by Chancellor Serrano, includes Vice Chancellors Dr. Aurora Lacaste (Academic Affairs) and Dr. Jean Saludadez (Finance and Administration), along with the deans of the three Faculties of Study: Dr. Charisse Reyes (Education), Dr. Diego Maranan (Information and Communication Studies), and Dr. Finaflor Taylan (Management and Development Studies). Dr. Roberto Figueroa was also invited as the incoming FICS Dean.
Other core CAC members include University Registrar Luisa Gelisan, Dr. Judy Lizette Gervacio, Director of the Center for Open and Digital Learning (CODTL); Asst. Prof. Roda Tajon, Director of the Office of Student Affairs; Dr. Primo Garcia, Assistant to the Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives; and Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo, Assistant to the Chancellor for Institutional Analytics and Insights. Incoming University Registrar Asst. Prof. Blancaflor Ariada also attended.
The “expanded” CAC includes additional university officials: Dr. Primo Garcia (Office of Public Affairs), Dr. Rein Pugoy (ICT Development Office), Dr. Maria Lourdes Jarabe (Office of Gender Concerns), Mr. Larry Cruz (Ugnayan ng Pahinungód), and Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes (Quality Assurance Office).
For this meeting, Chancellor Serrano also invited sub-unit heads and assistants, including Dr. Benigno Agapito, Jr. and Dr. Juliet Aleta Villanueva (Deputy Directors, CODTL), Dr. Leo Mendel Rosario (Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Instruction), and Dr. Myra Oruga (Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Research).
Also invited were finance and administration chiefs: Mr. John Benvers (Accounting), Mr. Michael Lagaya (Cash Office), Ms. Vicki Belegal (Campus Development and Maintenance), and Ms. Rhonna Marie Verena (Supplies and Property Management), along with Ms. Rosemarie Aquino (Assistant to Cash Officer) and Mr. Larry Cruz (Assistant to HRDO).
Providing technical and administrative support was Executive Assistant Ms. Yasele Irene Angela Yambao.
The regular CAC meets monthly, while the expanded CAC convenes quarterly.
Written by Primo G. Garcia
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