The Federation of the Supreme Student Council (FSSC) of Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) will hold Pandayan Uno: Transition of Governance and Strategic Action Planning 2025 on June 11, 2025, at the BiPSU Gymnasium. 

The said activity aims to formally mark the transition between outgoing and incoming student leaders and equip newly elected officers with essential leadership and planning skills. 

The event will feature a Turnover Ceremony to honor outgoing officers and welcome newly elected officials, a State of the Council Address by outgoing Chair Hon. Aluah Kane Cabalhin to summarize key accomplishments and challenges of the past term, and an Oath-Taking Ceremony to officially induct the new student council leaders.

Further, this event enables new officers to enhance their skills and knowledge through engaging output-based activities such as crafting an action plan as a main output to guide their upcoming term and address real challenges in student governance. 

According to Office Advisory No. 23 issued by the FSSC, all incumbent officers of the LHS-SSG, SGS, SSC, and FSSC are invited to attend, while participation of all newly elected student leaders is mandatory. 

The registration deadline is set for June 6, 2025, Friday. Interested participants may register through the official link: https://forms.gle/kZwFKbeeRqbug3Cu8.

See you there, BiPSUnistas!

#WoWBiPSU

As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance frontline service delivery and ensure easier access to university services, the Office of the Vice President for Student and External Affairs (VPSEA) of Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) convened a coordination meeting with heads of constituent offices on Friday, May 30.

The meeting was spearheaded by Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Vice President for Student and External Affairs, with the goal of streamlining the implementation of an online appointment system designed for students and other clients of the university.

This initiative supports the directive of University President Dr. Victor Catigbe Canezo, Jr., who underscored the importance of prioritizing the ease of doing business, in line with Republic Act No. 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.” The act mandates all government agencies, including state universities and colleges, to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic red tape.

By enabling students to book appointments online, the proposed system aims to resolve issues related to long queues, unregulated foot traffic, and delays in processing, while fostering a more organized, efficient, and responsive service environment across university offices.

“This is more than a digital shift—it’s a shift in mindset. We want to ensure that our students and stakeholders experience services that are efficient, responsive, and respectful of their time,” said Dr. Salvatierra during the meeting. “Implementing this appointment system is a concrete step toward achieving that vision.”

The technical consultation and system design are being guided by Mr. Paul Matthew Bentor, Head of the University Information Technology Office. Bentor provided initial recommendations on the structure of the digital platform and advised on the system's capacity to accommodate multiple offices, ensure user accessibility, and maintain secure data handling practices.

Office heads who attended the meeting expressed their support for the initiative and shared suggestions on how their respective units can best integrate the system into their daily operations. A series of follow-up orientations and training is expected to follow as the project moves toward full implementation.

#WoWBiPSU

Dr. Carlito C. Cabas, Jr., director of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Office (QAA), and Dr. Analiza B. Calles, dean of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), has successfully completed their participation at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Higher Education Leadership Mentoring Fellowship Program (HELMFP).

Over the past nine weeks, 50 Fellows from 25 partner HEIs of UPLB took part in intensive academic and administrative activities from March 10 to May 23.

The UPLB HELMFP is a strategic initiative spearheaded by the UPLB Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education (OIDHE) aimed at enhancing leadership capacities among administrators and officials from partner higher education institutions (HEIs) across the Philippines.

The program offers immersive experiences designed to expose fellows to UPLB's best practices in academic leadership, research, internationalization, and institutional development, through four specialized tracks including academic, administrative, research management and implementation, and public service and extension.

Dr. Cabas and Dr. Calles both selected the Academic Track, one of the four specialized fellowship tracks offered under the program. Their host office was the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), where they were exposed to UPLB’s academic governance systems, curriculum development processes, outcomes-based education practices, faculty development strategies, and mechanisms for academic quality assurance.

Throughout the fellowship, participants engaged in a combination of on-site institutional immersions, virtual learning sessions, and mentorship engagements. These activities were carefully designed to encourage leadership reflection, policy innovation, and cross-institutional learning. 

In an interview, Dr. Cabas described the UPLB HELM Fellowship Batch 2 “as a beautiful encounter with various SUC leaders in the country.”

“It was a great leadership immersion and mentoring experience to learn from UP Systems’ best practices, initiatives, and approaches,” the QAA director said. “My primary outputs from the engagements will highly focus on program assessments, student support, and curriculum revisions, which I am bound to share at BiPSU.”

BiPSU President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. also commended the fellows for representing the university and reiterated his full support for professional development initiatives that empower BiPSU leaders to become catalysts of change. “At BiPSU, we want our faculty members and leaders to be empowered and to grow,” the university president said.

Meanwhile, Executive Assistant to the President Joedel Peñaranda and University and Board Secretary Dr. Ralph Arvic Arcenal also joined the said program as fellows last year.

#WoWBiPSU

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office VIII and the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) visited Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) – Naval Campus on May 26 as part of a research study on employment services in higher education institutions.

The joint site visit forms part of the ongoing research project titled "Role of Job Placement Offices (JPOs) as Strategic Partners in Public Employment Services and Industry-Driven Employment." The initiative aims to assess the performance of Job Placement Offices (JPOs) and their role in enhancing youth employment through industry-aligned services.

During the half-day engagement, BiPSU Job Placement Officer Dr. Miguel Supremo, Jr. presented the university's best practices in JPO operations, highlighting its service delivery mechanisms, operational capacity, and effectiveness in facilitating employment opportunities—especially for young graduates.

The evaluation also covered BiPSU’s active collaborations with industry partners and its innovative employment strategies that could be replicated in other academic institutions nationwide.

The ILS delegation was composed of Senior Labor and Employment Officer (LEO) Athena Mari S. Son, LEO Aldrine F. Anzures, and Eva A. Nelmida. From DOLE Regional Office VIII, attendees included Karmela de la Sierra, Pablo Merin, and Dominica Secorata.

In a courtesy meeting, University President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. discussed how the university’s implementation of the two-shift class system has expanded opportunities for student employment.

"By integrating half-day in-person classes and Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL), our students now have the flexibility to work during the other half of the day," he shared. "Some of our students have even secured jobs as virtual assistants abroad."

BiPSU’s two-shift system combines traditional face-to-face classes with ODeL sessions, reducing daily in-class hours to four or five. This setup provides students and faculty additional time for academic research, self-directed learning, and extracurricular involvement.

Dr. Cañezo emphasized that this innovative system not only enhances academic engagement but also plays a crucial role in promoting youth employment.

[This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.]

Biliran Province State University and the university’s recent topnotchers receive recognitions at the Gawad Parangal of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) held on May 27 at Saint Paul Schools of Professional Studies (SPSPS), Palo, Leyte. 

The said award giving ceremony, held in celebration of the 31st Founding Anniversary of the CHED and the 5th Higher Education Day, is organized by the CHED Regional Office VIII to recognize higher education institutions (HEIs) that demonstrate excellence in various aspects of academic and institutional performance. 

BiPSU was awarded for ranking 98th in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024: Global Top 300 Innovative Universities last year. The university’s debut in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024 where BiPSU ranked 1501+ was also recognized. 

During the event, three BiPSU alumni who topped the board examinations last year—including October 2024 Licensure Examination for Foresters Top 1 Neña Rose A. Corpin, September 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) Top 4 Nova Lyzza A. Ejorcadas, and March 2024 LET Top 6 Joshua M. Ayade—were also recognized. 

As the President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VIII, BiPSU President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. reminded other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that the Gawad Parangal is not a finish line but a trailhead of the next ascent.

“Funds may thin and storms may batter our shores, yet when we pool insight, equipment, and networks, we turn limits into levers that lift learners,” Dr. Cañezo said. “Eastern Visayas proves this each time a graduate tops national boards or a local study answers a global question.”

He also underscored how unity among HEIs could strengthen higher education in the region. “Today we are on that mat—every scholar, teacher, administrator, and partner. Our weave holds because each thread holds,” the university president said.

Meanwhile, two scholars under the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP), Jyle Sabalones and Angela Balute, both Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) were also awarded with their stipend. CMSP is a CHED-funded initiative by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that aims to support academically talented Filipino students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, by providing financial assistance for their undergraduate studies.

#WoWBiPSU

In a powerful message of unity and purpose, Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., President of Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) and Chair of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VIII, underscored the strong commitment of Eastern Visayas’ academic institutions to serve Filipino learners. His remarks were delivered during the CHED Regional Office VIII Gawad Parangal 2025 held on May 27 at the Mary NGO Hall, St. Paul School of Professional Studies in Palo, Leyte.

"Thirty-one years ago, CHED opened wider doors for every Filipino learner. Today, we celebrate the people and partnerships that keep the pledge alive," Dr. Cañezo stated, addressing the CHED officials, HEI presidents, educators, scholars, and public servants.

The university president also spotlighted three BiPSU alumni who earned national recognition as top-notchers—Nova Lyzza Agustin Ejorcadas, Neña Rose Corpin, and Joshua M. Ayade, who joined him at  the event to receive awards from CHED.  

“Your medals honor your families and teachers; your next task is to take that excellence to our classrooms, public service offices, start-ups, or wherever God brings you where you can solve real problems,” added Dr. Cañezo.

Dr. Cañezo encouraged them to bring that same brilliance to real-world challenges in public service. 

The said event also marked the ceremonial release of stipends to CHED Tulong Dunong scholars and other grantees. 

Among those recognized were BiPSU’s Jyle Sabalones and Angela Balute, praised not only for their academic diligence but for their potential to "pay it forward" and continue the chain of support for future scholars.

“Use this support to finish strong, then pay it forward so the chain never breaks,” the university president emphasized. 

Moreover, Cañezo issued a powerful call to action to his fellow university presidents, "The Gawad Parangal is not a finish line. It manifests the trailhead of the next ascent. Funds may thin and storms may batter our shores, yet when we pool insight, equipment, and networks, we turn limits into levers that lift learners," he shared. 

Acknowledging the vital role of CHED RO VIII, he described the regional office as both "compass and bridge," citing its success in driving higher graduate employment rates, increased research visibility, and stronger inter-campus collaboration across Eastern Visayas.

The PASUC 8 President also shared BiPSU’s institutional values—brilliance, innovation, progress, service, and unity. Cañezo gave life to these principles through real stories of faculty and students who went beyond duty in service of others.

“I see each word wearing a human face in this hall: the scholar who tutors classmates after class—brilliance; the faculty member who rewired a broken laboratory so research could continue—innovation; the institution that shared power with a neighboring campus after the last typhoon—service and unity in one act,” he shared. 

He closed his speech with a Visayan folk tale that captured this year’s Gawad Parangal theme: “ “Many Threads, One Strong Weave.”

“A farmer once wove a sleeping mat so sturdy that neighbors wondered how a single strand could bear such weight. He smiled and answered, “I never trusted one strand; I wove many.” “Today we are on that mat—every scholar, teacher, administrator, and partner. Our weave holds because each thread holds, he concluded. 

This year’s Gawad Parangal is in celebration of the 31st Founding Anniversary of the Commission on Higher Education and the 5th Higher Education Day. 

#WoWBiPSU

Biliran Province State University, in partnership with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), conducted a two-day capacity-building training on Office for Strategy Management (OSM) and Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC) Management on May 21–22 at the university’s Hyflex Audio-Visual Center, as part of its preparation for the Compliance Stage of the Performance Governance System (PGS).

The training served as a continuation of the university’s reform initiatives, following its success on the PGS Initiation Stage in 2024—an achievement that earned the institution the coveted Silver Trailblazer Award which marked national recognition of BiPSU’s commitment to institutional transformation and governance excellence.

Spearheaded by the Institutional Planning Office (IPO) led by Director Engr. Jessie Mari Cerera, the activity convened 72 participants, including members of the BiPSU PGS Core Team and the ISA delegation led by Joan Española and her team: Deborah Patalinghug, Dominique Abaigar, and Aizelle Majam.

Said capacity building focused on equipping the institution’s Office for Strategy Management (OSM) and its Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC) with essential knowledge and tools on governance alignment, strategy execution, and sustainable stakeholder engagement.

Over the two-day session, topics such as the Governance Assessment Tool (GAT) for the compliance stage, process coaching, and multi-sector engagement were explored.

The first day opened with a discussion on the Performance Governance System followed by a workshop on Strategy Execution and Process Coaching, which emphasized internal alignment and performance tracking mechanisms.

Meanwhile on the second day, the focus shifted to sustaining strategies, with sessions on MSGC management and best practice sharing encouraging participants to find ways to institutionalize reforms. 

The training also aligned technical learning with the university’s goals, which covered the assessment of the university’s PGS maturity for compliance, clarified the OSM’s role in planning and operations, and highlighted the importance of involving multiple sectors through the MSGC to ensure inclusive and accountable governance.

“By investing in BiPSU’s future, this event plays a vital role in ensuring that as we progress along the PGS pathway, our personnel clearly understand their responsibilities and are well-equipped to lead and sustain meaningful reforms,” said Engr. Cerera.

Also present in the event were university key officials, including Vice President for Student and External Affairs Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Maribel N. Zipagan, Vice President for Administration and Finance Engr. Vivencio A. Pelesco, the deans, directors, and unit heads.

#WoWBiPSU

[This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal No. 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.]

Neña Rose A. Corpin, alumna of Biliran Province State University and Top 1 in the October 2024 Forester Licensure Examination, formally received a P100,000 monetary incentive from the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Biliran.

The incentive was personally handed over by Biliran Governor Gerard Roger M. Espina during a ceremonial awarding held on May 21 at the Governor’s Office, Biliran Provincial Capitol.

The monetary reward stemmed from a resolution by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recognizing Biliranons who secure top ranks in national licensure examinations.

Also present at the awarding were BiPSU President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., Vice Governor Brigido Caneja III, and Dr. Randy Villarin, dean of the School of Agribusiness and Forest Resource Management (SAbFoRM).

During the ceremony, Corpin humbly recounted her journey to becoming the country’s topnotcher, expressing her disbelief upon learning she ranked first in such a competitive national exam.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cañezo emphasized that Corpin is a proud product of BiPSU’s homegrown talent and one of the beneficiaries of the university’s free in-house review program.

“We housed them at BilCam for their review. We provided accommodation, review masters, and materials,” he shared. “Her performance, along with the university’s high passing rate, speaks volumes about the quality of the review support we offer.”

The university president also extended his gratitude to the PLGU for recognizing and rewarding academic excellence. “On behalf of BiPSU, we sincerely thank the Provincial Government of Biliran for supporting our topnotchers,” he said. “This initiative is a meaningful way to motivate our students to aim higher in their licensure exams.”

Gov. Espina also expressed his pride in a Facebook post, describing Corpin’s feat as “a moment of immense pride for the entire Province of Biliran.”

“Her dedication, discipline, and excellence serve as a shining example for every Biliranon aspiring to make a mark in their chosen field,” the governor wrote.

A native of Villa Vicenta, Caibiran, Biliran, Corpin made history as the province’s first-ever topnotcher in the Forester Licensure Examination, earning an impressive rating of 92.60%. Currently, she is working at BiPSU Biliran Campus under SaBFoRM as a regular faculty member.

[This news article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 Quality Education.]

Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) has officially forged a partnership with Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA) to co-host the Tanghal Visayas 2025, a  university and community- based theater festival in the Visayas Region, set on September 26-28 at BiPSU Naval campus. 

The formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was held today, May 21, at the Office of the President Convergence Hall led by Dr. Victor Catigbe Cañezo, Jr., university president, and Aaron Kaiser Garcia, executive council member of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts (NCDA) of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). 

Also present to witness the signing were Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, vice president for Student and External Affairs; the chairperson of the Cultural Affairs Development Unit (CADU) Kevin S. Tanguihan; and Felipe Bacay, artistic director of Teatro BiPSU.

YATTA or Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts serves as the implementer of Tanghal Visayas, a flagship initiative of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts (NCDA) under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

This youth advocate group aimed to empower local communities and academic institutions by using theater as a tool for dialogue, education, and advocacy on pressing social and environmental issues.

Under the said  agreement, YATTA will take the lead in organizing the event ensuring it is diverse, inclusive, and aligned with national and regional concerns. 

Moreover, the organization will be responsible for designing promotional materials, coordinating with around 12 theater groups from across the Visayas, and managing travel logistics for approximately more than 100 participants. 

BiPSU, in turn, will provide key logistical and operational support, including free access to venues for workshops and performances, technical equipment, and manpower assistance.

The university will also offer accommodations for participants and facilitators at its dormitory facilities and help identify potential partners and sponsors from the public and private sectors.

"BiPSU is honored to co-host Tanghal Visayas 2025 in partnership with YATTA," said Dr. Canezo. "We are excited for this event as it provides a platform for young people and communities to raise their voices, share stories and inspire change through the arts and culture, ” he added. 

The MOU remains in effect until the conclusion of Tanghal Visayas 2025, with provisions for renewal or revision subject to mutual agreement.

[This news article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 - Quality Education,  SDG No. 13 - Climate Action, and SDG No. 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities.]

To strengthen strategic governance by aligning performance management with institutional strategy, Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) conducted a two-day Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) Harmonization with the Performance Governance System (PGS) on May 19-20 at the BiPSU Hyflex Audio Visual Center (HAVC).

The activity aimed to streamline the implementation of SPMS in accordance with BiPSU’s long-term strategic vision, and to respond to the growing need for government institutions, including state universities and colleges, to adopt systems that guarantee accountability, efficiency, and strategic alignment of individual and organizational goals. 

The SPMS, as mandated by the Civil Service Commission, promotes a results-based approach to measuring employee performance. Meanwhile, the PGS offers a strategic framework that connects institutional goals with measurable outcomes and stakeholder engagement.

Spearheaded by the Institutional Planning Office under the leadership of Director Engr. Jessie Mari Cerera, and in collaboration with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), the activity gathered 73 participants including members of the BiPSU PGS Core Team, the Institutional Planning Office, and ISA facilitators.

In his opening remarks, Vice President for Administration and Finance Engr. Vivencio Pelesco emphasized the critical importance of integrating SPMS with a broader governance framework.

“Our role goes beyond compliance—it is about delivering meaningful outcomes that respond to the needs of our stakeholders, especially our students, and contribute to national development,” Engr. Pelesco stated. “This initiative is more than a compliance exercise—it is a strategic investment in cultivating a results-oriented, transparent, and empowered institutional culture.”

During the two-day harmonization intervention, participants participated in several discussions centered in several agenda including alignment between SPMS and the university’s strategic priorities, clarifying of unit-level accountabilities in implementing the SPMS, building competencies in crafting Office and Division Performance Commitment and Review (OPCR and DPCR) forms, and enhancing the use of planning tools to support coherent, results-driven institutional performance.

Engr. Pelesco expressed appreciation to the ISA team for facilitating the intervention, and commended the proactive efforts of the Institutional Planning Office and the HRM office for organizing the event. “This 2-day activity empowers us to become not only performers but stewards of a university that models good governance and excellence in public service,” Engr. Pelesco concluded.

The ISA delegation was led by its Executive Director Christian Zaens who facilitated the discussions. Other members also include Deborah Patalinghug, Dominique Abaigar, Aizelle Majam, and Joan Española.

University key officials also participated in the activity including Vice President for Student and External Affairs Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Maribel N. Zipagan, as well as deans, directors, and unit heads.

#WoWBiPSU

[This aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.]