UPOU establishes own Pahinungód Office 

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) further enhances its public service undertakings through the establishment of its own Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Office on 6 June 2019. This effort is also in response to the University of the Philippines (UP) System’s move to revert the System Pahinungod Coordinating Committee (SPCC) to the former UP System Office of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps (System UP/OC) at the same time to revitalize UP/OCs in all constituent UP universities.

The UPOU Ugnayan ng Pahinungod office intends to implement projects such as Teacher Training Program, Tutorial Services Program, and Buhay Pahinungód that are expected to be launched within the year. Currently, UPOU Pahinungod looks into the available human and non-human resources — such as UPOU partners, current students, and alumni of UPOU — that can be tapped for the implementation of the Pahinungod programs.

Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria has appointed Ms. Rhonna Marie Verena, a University Researcher  from the Faculty of Education, UPOU as the Director of the UPOU Pahinungod program. The UPOU Pahinungod Office is located at the UPOU Community Hub, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna

The UP/OC, known as the UP Volunteer Service program, was first established in 1994 as a manifestation of UP’s commitment to promote and provide volunteer work of its faculty- and staff  members; alumni; and students to underserved and underprivileged areas and communities. This ushered in the establishment of UP/OC offices in all UP Campuses, such as UP Diliman, UP Manila, UP Los Baños, UP Visayas, and UP Mindanao.

The System UP/OC is tasked to lead the development and implementation of social programs through volunteer activities in the University. It shall manage the conceptualization of innovative programs that can be participated in by faculty and staff members, retirees, students, and alumni; formulation of policies, management, and evaluation of the Pahinungod system; and shall lead system-wide and inter-CU programs. The UPOU Pahinungod office on the other hand, is tasked to redefine the concept of the System Pahinungod program to reflect the constituent university’ unique disciplines, interests, and advocacies; and to develop and implement programs that are responsive to their local needs. (MRLaksamana, KPAncajas, KTChispa)