USIC Takes Off, Forges Collaborations with Partner Communities

The Ateneo de Naga University has shifted its gears towards a more challenging route to Bikol development by redefining its role as a “University in the World”.    It is now, more than ever, posed to make a difference through a discerned, organized and sustained response to prevailing multi-faceted social realities happening in the larger world outside the gates of the University.

After critical months of brainstorming and planning, all the community extension offices in the University come into one inspired and empowered University Social Involvement Council (USIC).    The USIC was organized to be that mechanism where all community outreach programs of the University shall be planned, and their implementation monitored and evaluated, with greater focus and purposefulness.

To achieve the desired focus, the University identified four pilot partner communities – Cabusao, Calabanga, Sagñay and Buhi, and shall pursue responses to these eight (8) development issues: 1) Health and Nutrition, 2) Governance, 3) Environment, 4) Livelihood and Entrepreneurship, 5) Teacher Training, 6) Religious Education, 7) Disaster Response Management, and 8) Housing.  These issues were identified not only because these are perceived to be the most felt issues in the Region  but also because of their far reaching impact on community development.

As the University social involvement efforts  are founded on the principles of partnership, the University’s first step was to engage the pilot communities in a Joint Strategic Assessment and Planning Workshop  participated in by the communities’ respective local government officials, Parishes, representatives from non-government organizations and people’s organizations.

The Workshop aimed at getting the communities to look at their current social realities, formulate their community vision, review existing initiatives and come up with feasible Development Plans which they will implement, in partnership with the ADNU,   to attain their vision of their community.

In presenting itself as a development partner, Atty. Mila Raquid-Arroyo, former Naga City Councilor, now USIC Chairperson, declared that  “In coming here, we bring the entire Ateneo de Naga University with us in the hope that the University may be able to contribute in the attainment of your development vision”.   This declaration, made in each of the planning workshop conducted in each of the four (4) pilot partner municipalities, was an expression of the University’s serious intention to pursue, not a one-shot deal undertaking with the communities but a sustained and programmatic engagement. 

CALABANGA

USIC’s first Joint Strategic Assessment and Planning Workshop was conducted in Calabanga – one of Camarines Sur’s biggest municipalities in terms of population and land area. With twenty-five participants registered, 19 from the LGU of Calabanga and six from ADNU, three clusters -- Governance, Housing and Disaster Response Management -- conducted the Workshop last Sept. 27.

Grounded on the three issues, the participants envisioned a community “initiating and implementing sustainable programs for low-cost, well-built houses and modern facilities and delivering quality health services towards an empowered disaster-free community.”

Five clusters are expected to complete the assessment and planning workshop with LGU of Calabanga in January 2008.

CABUSAO

On October 15, 2007, the next Joint Strategic Assessment and Planning Workshop was with Cabusao - a small, fifth class municipality.  A high participation turn-out, reaching 53 participants: 40 from the different stakeholders of Cabusao and 13 from ADNU, gathered at the Cabusao Session Hall.

To save time and resources, the USIC decided to re-cast the workshop design in such a way as to enable all eight  (8) clusters to join in the same workshop altogether.

Among the highlights of the Workshop was the reformulation of the Cabusao Community Vision.   As of date, the Vision of Cabusao has been re-stated to read, thus: “Cabusao is an economically stable, ecologically balanced and self-reliant community with peaceful, God-loving and productive constituents, a haven for tourists attracted by its unique landscape and guided by dynamic, transparent and service-oriented governance.”    It is hoped that the restated Vision will inspire each and every constituent of Cabusao to work towards its attainment.

A tripartite MOA signing between the Municipality, the Parish of St. Bernardine of Siena and the ADNU for the implementation of the plans as drawn up in the Workshop took place last December 20, 2007.

SAGÑAY

To jointly draw up the development plan which the partner community and the ADNU shall jointly undertake, USIC headed next to Sagñay, a 4th class municipality, dubbed as Camarines Sur’s summer capital for its beautiful beaches and the mystical island of Atolayan.  Last October 23, 2007, fifty-two (52) participants -- 34 from Sagñay and 18 from ADNU gathered at the Sagñay Old Municipal Hall Building for the joint assessment and planning workshop.

Hon. Roberto Briones, Cabusao Municipal Mayor, in his Welcome Address, expressed his gratitude to the Ateneo de Naga University for offering a partnership with his community and assured ADNU that the entire Sagñay community is open to the collaboration as they are certain that their community will benefit from the partnership.

During the Workshop, among the issues highlighted in the discussions were the issues on malnutrition, disaster-response management, and housing.

The Environment cluster also felt that the community of Sagnay is currently facing an environment challenge which, if not properly handled, would have devastating impact particularly on the health of the people.  This challenge is posed by the presence of SAFECO, a hazardous and toxic waste treatment and disposal facility in Bgy. Mabca, Sagnay, Camarines Sur.

BUHI

Even before the ADNU-Buhi planning workshop took place last December 4, 2007,  USIC already demonstrated its commitment to stand side-by-side with its partner communities especially in times of  emergencies.    Last November 27, 2007,   right during the time when typhoon Mina was threatening the entire Bicol region with devastation, the Social Involvement Office (SIO) and the Center for Community Development visited the four partner areas to see how the University may be of help to them.  Fortunately, of the four (4) municipalities, only Buhi needed urgent assistance to which the University immediately responded by conducting relief operations for some of the evacuees.

In his welcome address during the Workshop, Mayor Rey P. Lacoste opened the activity by saying: “Welcome to reality!” in his hope that the fifty-five (55) participants in the workshop will truly be able to assess the municipality’s present status, and map out realistic plan of action.   He said that acceptance of realities is important in formulating an appropriate Development Plan for the Buhi.

Among the strong issues raised in the discussion revolved around the deteriorating environmental status of Lake Buhi.    Some of the agreed plans of action include the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Lake Buhi Management Plan, watershed rehabilitation and strict regulation of fish cage operations.

Governance transparency and accountability was also one of the highlighted concerns.  But the willingness and commitment of the local government officials to make changes for the development of the Buhi community was also highlighted as one of the strengths of the present administration.

WHERE DO WE GET THE FUND TO IMPLEMENT THE PLANS?

The question raised in all the workshops after plans have been formulated was on the source of funds needed to implement them.   Atty. Raquid-Arroyo’s response that “If we do not have the fund we need, then together, we shall look for it,” gave the participants some form of confidence and hope that the plans will indeed be implemented.  Atty. Raquid-Arroyo also emphasized that if the identified plans of action are really considered as important, then the LGU will also ensure that they are included in their respective annual program and budget.

AN EXCITING YEAR AHEAD

As USIC journeys towards the implementation of the respective development plans of the University’s partner communities in the coming months, USIC also hopes to mobilize all sectors in the University to accept the challenge of social involvement and take the journey with it.

As community development and student formation are the twin goals of University social involvement, USIC also hopes for, and strongly encourages, the students to find themselves at the frontlines of social involvement.