UPOU and CLDD delegates discuss potential areas for collaboration during a benchmarking activity at Pook Ugnayan, UPOU Community Hub, Los Baños, Laguna.
The UP Open University (UPOU) held a benchmarking activity with the Cooperatives Livelihood Development Department (CLDD) of the City Government of Calamba on 25 August 2026 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
UPOU QAO Director Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes facilitates the benchmarking meeting with CLDD.
The CLDD delegation was led by the Department Head Dr. Leonardo F. Opulencia Sr.
During the introduction of CLDD, Department Head Dr. Leonardo F. Opulencia Sr. shared that the visit is part of the office’s plan to expand its reach to online learners, particularly younger people who increasingly use digital platforms. CLDD is exploring dual training platforms and online programs in enterprise development and livelihood.
Dr. Opulencia also noted that the monsoon season can disrupt lectures, while recurring face-to-face training can be costly for the local government unit (LGU). A hybrid or online approach could help address these challenges while allowing the department to reach more learners.
CLDD also sought guidance from UPOU on the requirements and considerations for implementing online and hybrid training programs, including budget, equipment, implementation timelines, and other operational requirements.
Asst. Prof. Ria Cabanes, Quality Assurance Office Director, briefed the CLDD delegation on UPOU’s practices in course and module development, instructional design, learning management systems, learner assessment, quality assurance, and online facilitation.
During the meeting, Director Cabanes also highlighted the existing UPOU’s partnerships with LGUs in capacity building. They also explored the possibility of adopting a hybrid learning setup for their training programs and other initiatives that will support CLDD’s capacity to deliver courses through open and distance elearning (ODeL).
UPOU and CLDD delegates pose during the photo opportunity.
Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, the activity provided an opportunity for both institutions to explore innovative approaches to strengthening accessible, flexible, and quality learning opportunities for Calamba’s constituents.
It is part of UPOU’s mandate to assist other higher education institutions in advancing more flexible modes of instruction, as provided under Republic Act 10650.
Written by Marinela Hernandez | Edited by Primo Garcia | Photos by Ryzza Alyana Legaspi
