Ms. Victoria T. Canape-Belegal, Chief Administrative Officer of the Campus Development and Maintenance Office (CDMO at University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), was awarded the Gawad Pangulo sa Natatanging Kawani ng UP System during a recognition ceremony held on 26 June 2026 at the GT-Toyota Asian Center in University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City.
Ms. Victoria T. Canape-Belegal (center) receives the award from UP President Angelo A. Jimenez (right), with UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano (left) joining her during the ceremony.
The annual recognition honors members of the UP community whose exemplary service, leadership, and commitment to the University’s public service mandate have made significant contributions to the institution and the nation. It is part of the UP System’s month-long anniversary celebration carrying the theme “Ani at Alay: Tumutugon. Naglilingkod. Para sa Bayan during the UP’s 118th Foundation Anniversary celebration.
The Gawad Pangulo ceremony was held as part of the UP System’s 118th Foundation Anniversary celebration.
With 32 years of continued service at the University, Ms. Canape-Belegal was recognized for her sustained commitment to inclusive governance, institutional development, and public service. She started as a University Research Associate at the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding and became one of the pioneering staff members of UPOU in 1996.
Aside from her role as UPOU’s Chief Administrative Officer for the Campus Development and Maintenance Office, she was the seventh Staff Regent of the UP System.
As the 7th Staff Regent of the University of the Philippines System, she advanced initiatives that strengthened stakeholder participation in University governance by establishing inclusive consultation mechanisms for administrative personnel across the constituent universities of the UP System. Her term was marked by efforts to ensure that the perspectives of traditionally underrepresented sectors, including contract-of-service (COS) and job-order (JO) personnel, were heard in policy discussions and institutional decision-making.
Among her notable accomplishments was championing the participation of non-regular personnel in the 2023 UP Systemwide Administrative and Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) Conference. This milestone expanded opportunities for engagement among different employee sectors and reinforced the University’s commitment to inclusivity within its workforce.
At UPOU, she has likewise played a key role in advancing campus development and infrastructure as head of the Campus Development and Maintenance Office since 2024. As Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Vicki —as she is fondly known among her colleagues in the University— has led initiatives that continue to strengthen the University’s physical and digital infrastructure, such as infrastructure completion projects, sustainable workplace measures, and the development of an e-brochure of UPOU facilities, among others.
Under her leadership, the CDMO has implemented projects that promote efficient campus operations, improve facilities and services, and support UPOU’s strategic directions on sustainability, innovation, accessibility, and operational excellence through collaborations with various offices within UPOU.
These initiatives have contributed to creating a learning and working environment that responds to the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Beyond her official responsibilities, Chief Vicki has actively supported staff development and welfare through in-house training programs and advocacies for improved working conditions.
The UPOU community joins the entire UP System in celebrating Chief Vicki on this well-deserved recognition. It commends her continued commitment to advancing inclusive leadership and institutional excellence in service of the University and the Filipino people. It reflects not only her individual accomplishments but also the values of honor, excellence, and service that guide the University.
Written by Angelo Joaquin Ascan | Edited by Anna Cañas-Llamas and Primo Garcia | Photos from Janele Belegal and from UP System FB Page
