As part of the 31st Anniversary celebration of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), and in line with its advocacy towards sustainability, a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) and the “Transitioning to a Sustainable University: Leaders’ Pledge” were held. This happened on 25 February 2026 at the UPOU IMDPO parking area at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
Anchored on the anniversary theme, “Weaving Intelligent Futures: Sustainability, Well-Being, Learning, and Intrapreneurship in the UPOU of Tomorrow,” the activity highlighted the University’s commitment to the transitioning of UPOU to become a sustainable university, and reinforced the vision of Chancellor Joane V. Serrano for UPOU for 2025–2028 as a Transformative University of the Future.
The program opened with an introduction from Chancellor Serrano, in which she shared the “0 to 10 Stages of the Transition to a Sustainable University,” based on the UNESCO General Guidelines for the Implementation of Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions, featured in the UPOU Sustainability brochure. A formal Leaders’ Pledge and signing ceremony were held after this. Through the pledge, University officials affirmed their commitment to integrating sustainability into governance, campus operations, and institutional decision-making.
UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, (center, in black blouse) led her cabinet members in a UPOU Sustainability pledge of Commitment.
This included the Chancellor Serrano and the members of her cabinet, namely,
- Assoc. Prof. Aurora V. Lacaste, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Prof. Jean A. Saludadez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
- Asst. Prof. Charisse Reyes, Dean, FED
- Assoc. Prof. Finaflor Taylan, Dean, FMDS
- Assoc. Prof. Roberto Figueroa, Dean, FICS
- Asst. Prof. Blancaflor Arada, University Registrar
- Asst. Prof. Roda Tajon, Director, Office of Student Affairs
- Assoc. Prof. Reinald D. Pugoy, Director, ICT Development Office
- Mr. Larry N. Cruz, Director, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod UPOU, and PDA for HRDO
- Assoc. Prof. Ria Mae H. Borromeo, Assistant to the Chancellor for Institutional Analytics and Insights
- Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez, Assistant to the Chancellor for VINTA
- Ms. Yasele Irene Angela M. Yambao, Executive Assistant
- Asst. Prof. Remsce Pasahol, PDA for Institutional Linkages
- Asst. Prof. Leo Mendel Rosario, Assistant to the VCAA for Instruction
- Asst. Prof. Juliet Aleta Villanueva, Deputy Director, CODTL-ODLR
- Asst. Prof. Joseph De Mesa, Deputy Director, CODTL-LD
- Ms. Amalia Perez, Chief Budget Officer
- Mr. John Benvers Malabanan, Chief Accountant
- Mr. Michael Lagaya, Chief, Cash Office and HRDO
- Ms. Rosemarie Aquino, PDA for Cash Office
- Ms. Rhonna Marie Verena, Chief SPMO
- Ms. Anna Cañas-Llamas, Assistant to the Director of OPA and Secretary to the CAC
UPOU faculty and staff members participated in hands-on waste management activity.
After the signing of the pledges, participants took part in a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS), a systematic process used to determine the total quantity and composition of solid waste generated from various sources. Led by Asst. Prof. Remsce A. Pasahol, DLUP Program Chair, the activity included a brief orientation before faculty and staff members collectively examined and categorized campus wastes into biodegradable, recyclable, residual or special wastes. The exercise allowed the participants to gather data for future waste-reduction strategies and strengthen environmental accountability within the University.
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, closed the activity with a call for the UPOU to act on what they have learned through the WACS and sustain the practice in their offices and even their homes.
The event is aligned with UPOU’s Strategic Thrusts for 2025–2028, particularly its focus on sustainability, overall well-being, and innovation. By combining leadership commitment with concrete institutional action, the University demonstrated how sustainability is being embedded into its systems and culture.
As UPOU marked its 31st year, the Leaders’ Pledge and WACS underscored a clear direction: to build a university that is not only innovative and accessible but also responsible, data-informed, and future-ready.
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by Marius Pader and Remsce Pasahol | Photos by UPOU Office of Public Affairs
