by Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.

Ms. Jaren Marr P. Jaco, CESLC Secretary discussed the necessary requirements before and after the extension works to the outreach coordinators.

On November 17, 2023, the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center conducted an orientation with respective outreach coordinators, highlighting the need to reach out to communities, the outreach processes, and upcoming agendas.

According to Republic Act No. 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, aside from instruction and research, extension is one of the mandatory functions of higher education institutions in the Philippines. It is mandated to transfer knowledge, skills, research, and technology to the development of the community and the country. In a similar vein, Central Philippine University is committed to formulating and implementing various social development initiatives, such as literacies, workshops and training, technology transfer, research and development, and among others, for the development of partner and adopted communities and other stakeholders.

To strengthen the implementation of extension works of the University, the Community Engagement and Service Learning Center conducted an orientation to the outreach coordinators of different colleges and units of the University. Functional Objectives, Legal bases of Extension Programs and Services offered by the University, and integration of Service Learning in the curriculum were part of the agenda discussed during orientation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Prim C. Vergara III, the University Occupational Safety and Health Officer, discussed the risk assessment procedures and forms needed before the extension works to ensure the safety and protection of students and faculty during community engagements.

On the other hand, Ms. Jaren Marr P. Jaco, the CESLC Secretary, discussed the requirements before and after the extension works. Ms. Jaco also highlighted that the office will have a separate webpage in which the public can see the activities, programs, and services offered and conducted by the University.

Gender-oriented extension works, future outreach plans, and prospective poorest barangays retrieved from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to be the next adopted communities were some of the additional agendas during the orientation.