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Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo (center) with Chancellor Serrano (3rd from left) and UPOU officials and staff members.
A team of UPOU officials and staff, led by UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano, conducted an exploratory visit to Camarines Norte on 15 to 16 June 2026 to promote lifelong learning and present learning opportunities available through its open and distance elearning mode of delivery.
The party, led by UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano, included Dean Charisse Reyes of the Faculty of Education (FEd), Dean Finaflor Taylan of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), University Registrar Blancaflor Arada, Office of Student Affairs Director Roda Tajon, Program Development Associate for Institutional Linkages Remsce Pasahol, Office of Public Affairs Assistant to the Director Anna Cañas-Llamas, and Linkages Support Staff Alexil Fajardo.
UPOU officials with Mayor Tomas Bocago (center) of Sipocot, Camarines Sur.
UPOU Chancellor and aProf. Pasahol with Vice Mayor Astor and Ms. Edith Mangalino Francisco, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator.
The first stop on 15 June 2926 was the Local Government of Sipocot, where the team paid courtesy visits to the office of Hon. Tomas A. Bocago, Sipocot Mayor, and the office of Hon. Rogenor Astor, Sipocot Vice Mayor.
Asst. Prof. Pasahol presented UPOU and its offerings to the heads of units and offices. Discussions with Sipocot LGU officials centered on learning opportunities for LGU employees, including degree programs as well as non-formal education, continuing education, massive open online courses, and microcredentials.
FEd Dean Charisse Reyes shares her ideas with local teachers.
Before leaving the municipality of Sipocot, the UPOU team visited the Serranz Learning Center, Inc., where Dean Reyes engaged educators in a discussion to help hurdle challenges in basic education. They also visited the King Thomas Learning Academy to share information about UPOU’s offerings.
Chancellor Serrano and her team in a meeting with officials of the Universidad de Santa Isabel de Naga.
The UPOU team with Dr. Reyes and Dr. Abrigo (3rd and 4th from left) of Unibersidad de Santa Isabel de Naga.
In Naga City, Chancellor Serrano and her team met with officials of the Universidad de Santa Isabel de Naga, namely, Dr. Virginia C. Reyes of the Office of Student Development Services, Scholarship, and Linkages, and Dr. Nenette L. Abrigo, Quality Assurance Office Director, to discuss updates on UPOU’s program offerings and explore initiatives in research and capacity-building programs.
Naga City officials listen to Asst. Prof. Remsce Pasahol’s presentation of UPOU’s academic offerings.
A courtesy visit was also made to Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, Mayor of the City Government of Naga. The two-part visit included the presentation of UPOU’s flexible open and distance e-learning programs by Asst. Prof. Remsce Pasahol, FEd Dean Charisse T. Reyes, and FMDS Dean Finaflor L. Taylan.
The Naga City LGU team included Mr. Anselmo B. Maño, City Human Resource Management Officer (CHRMO); Mr. Raynor Rodriguez, Officer-in-Charge, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office; Ms. Melissa Sieglinde E. Borromeo-Bulaong, Transition Team-HR; and Mr. Ray-An Cydrick G. Rentoy, Executive Assistant to the Mayor.
The discussion included free tuition for undergraduate students, scholarship opportunities, and a diverse range of academic programs to help local government personnel enhance their competencies and advance their careers in public service.
Written and photos by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by Primo Garcia
