Its 18th anniversary celebration was opportune for the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) to use for the first time the two newly erected flag poles in front of the Bienvenido M. Gonzales Hall (formerly referred to as the Main Library), the headquarters of UPLB’s main executive offices, for the flag raising ceremony on Oct. 19.
The OVCCA kicked off the week-long celebration of its 18th year with the customary Monday flag raising ceremony, this time with the UP flag also hoisted on the second pole, a program and a viewing of the OVCCA exhibits at the BM Gonzales lobby. The flag raising ceremony and program was graced by Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.
In his inspirational message during the program, Chancellor Sanchez said that the OVCCA served as the face of UPLB to the Los Baños community, whether it be about health care or the rehabilitation of communities. He thanked the OVCCA for helping his administration and said that he will provide assistance for it to be able to continuously perform its duties.
Chancellor Sanchez reported that in order to further enhance campus security, the OVCCA now has eight security items to fill up and has completed the installation of CCTVs around the campus. He also said that a budget for the University Health Service hospital extension has been set aside and that the University is now in the process of securing the permit to build it. The University Housing Office, meanwhile, has been given additional funding for the renovation of old dormitories and construction of new dormitories. He also shared to the audience his plans through the Business Affairs Office to make Baker Hall a one stop shop.
Dr. Serlie Barroga-Jamias, vice chancellor for community affairs, described the job of the OVCCA in relation to the weather as it is always at work, rain or shine, 24/7. She also mentioned that the OVCCA has another duty, which is to set up the University’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) task force under the leadership of Prof. Genaro Cuaresma, assistant to the vice chancellor for community affairs. She also reported that the OVCCA takes leadership, together with SESAM, in the project to secure an environmental compliance certificate for UPLB.
Nominees for the awarding ceremony “Natatanging Kawani ng OVCCA” were also recognized during the program which ended with the formal opening of the OVCCA exhibit.
Themed “Building Stronger Community Relationships” OVCCA’s anniversary celebration will feature the following: Oct. 20 – Health and Wellness Seminar Series with Zumba and Health Screening at the Baker Hall and on Oct. 21 – free shuttle service on UPF mobiles; on Oct. 22 – launching of rice-corn blend at 9 am and rice-corn cook fest at 1pm at the Business Affairs Office (BAO); day-long mini-open house of dormitories organized by the University Housing Office, and awarding of the winners of Pasadahan and “Why I love my dorm” contests. The week-long celebration will then be capped off by an awards ceremony of the “Natatanging Kawani ng OVCCA” to be held at Baker Hall at 4pm on October 23, 2015. (Kristine E. Araguas)
Photos of the 18th year anniversary celebration of the OVCCA are published on UPLB’s Facebook page.
(Reposted from the UPLB Website)
