In celebration of its 26 years of steadfast service to the UPLB community, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) held a series of community health, safety, and welfare activities at the Obdulia F. Sison Hall on October 23 and 26.
The celebration opened with a recognition ceremony to pay tribute to OVCCA’s program partners, loyal staff, and outstanding personnel for their dedication to selflessly serving the university and its constituents.
Among the honorees were the UPLB Batch 1971, who donated to construct the University Health Service Emergency Room Extension Facility (UHS-EREF); the UPLB Class of 1972, who contributed to the development of the UHS Heart Station; and the UPLB Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, who helped in the campus-wide misting operations.
During the ceremony, 36 personnel who have rendered 5-25 years of service were recognized for their commitment to OVCCA.
OVCCA’s outstanding personnel were honored for their exceptional performance and remarkable service to the university and its immediate community. Florencio C. Yeso and Apollo B. Reyes were both named Outstanding Blue Collar Staff; Lucia S. Lescano and Mervin B. Tabuac were both awarded Outstanding Office Staff; while Jeselle P. Victa and Rizal C. Huelgas were both hailed as Outstanding Supervisors.
Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. delivered a recorded message, applauding OVCCA’s continuous growth, evolution, and transformation that have been integral to the University’s drive toward becoming a future-proof university.
In his message to the OVCCA family, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (VCCA) Roberto P. Cereno urged them to continue delivering quality service to the UPLB community, especially now that the office is set to elevate its programs and tailor-fit them to the needs of its stakeholders.
Assistant to the VCCA Benevieve D. Villanueva also expressed her gratitude to the OVCCA staff for their perseverance not just in helping the office fulfill its mandate but also in providing excellent service to its stakeholders.
On the second day of the celebration, OVCCA’s collaborative efforts were highlighted as each of its units hosted various activities that focused on their major thrusts and functions.
In the morning, Camacho personally attended the Kalusugan Fiesta ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Cereno, Villanueva, and UHS Medical Director Jessie Imelda F. Walde.
In his short message, CJCJ urged all staff to take time to prioritize their health, especially because the greatest asset of the university is its human resources.
More than 60 members of the UPLB community lined up for the Blood Letting Activity led by the UHS in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross.
The blood donors, along with 276 UP and non-UP constituents, availed themselves of free medical services and wellness products at the Kalusugan Fiesta.
At the Kalusugan Fiesta, booths offered free fasting blood sugar screening, uric acid screening, bone density scan, foot screening, ankle branchial index, micral test, body mass index screening, nutrition counselling, cholesterol and triglycerides screening, and blood pressure and rate screening. Free vitamins, supplements, and other nutrition items were also given to the attendees.
Meanwhile, almost 130 individuals availed themselves of free HIV screening, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and PrEP registration, which were offered by the UPLB Gender Center in collaboration with LoveYourself, Inc.
In the afternoon, UPLB students and staff participated in the Road Safety Seminar organized by the UPLB Security and Safety Office in partnership with the Land Transportation Office Region IV A-CALABARZON.
Simultaneously, the UPLB Housing Office hosted a webinar on the staff housing application process for UPLB personnel.Created on October 23, 1997, at the UP Board of Regents’ 1113th meeting, OVCCA is tasked to manage UPLB’s core community affairs programs and services. Apart from fostering solid collaborations among the University’s internal and external communities, OVCCA fulfils its mandate by maintaining an academic community that is safe, secure, healthy, environment-friendly, and inspiring for the creativity and innovation of the UPLB community. (Roi Mojado)