Manila, Philippines – In a prestigious ceremony held at the iconic Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel on July 26, 2024, Dr. Monette O. Bato, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) President of Laguna University, took her oath as a Local Colleges and Universities (LCU) President. On July 27, 2024, Laguna University officials: Dr. Monette O. Bato (OIC, University President), Dr. Alex Macario C. Cecilio (OIC, VP for Administration), Ms. Agnes G. Ycogo (Assistant VP for Administration), and Dr. Roberto B. Dionisio (Sports Development Coordinator), also attended the leadership immersion and benchmarking in selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The theme for this year’s event was “The Philippine Educational Reform: Its Politics, Policies, and Progress.” The oath-taking, turnover, investiture of past and present LCU Presidents, and inaugural assembly was attended by esteemed guests from various institutions of higher education, including government officials, university presidents, administrators, and faculty members.
Dr. Bato’s addition to the list LCU Presidents as the representative of Laguna University, is a significant recognition of her leadership skills, academic excellence, and contributions in the field of education. As a seasoned educator and administrator, she has demonstrated her ability to inspire and motivate students, faculty, and staff to strive for excellence.
The program for the oath-taking, turn-over, and inaugural assembly was opened by the remarks from Atty. Gloria Victoria Bañas, the Vice-President of ALCU and President of the City College of San Fernando. Dr. Raymundo P. Arcega, the President of ALCU, established the direction setting of the event. Atty. Filipinas Cinderella Benitez-Jaro, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Executive Director delivered a message. During the turn-over ceremony, Dr. Arcega succeeded the position of ALCU President from Dr. Rene Colocar. Hon. Lucas P. Bersamin headed the oath-taking ceremonies, which was followed by the investiture of past and present LCU Presidents. In the afternoon, Hon. Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines talked for the first plenary session, followed by Dr. Carl E. Balita, Founder, President, and CEO of the Dr. Carl Balita Review Center, Hon. Maria Anthinette Velasco-Allones, Undersecretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, and Hon. Hermilando I. Mandanas, Governor of the Province of Batangas, for the rest of the plenary sessions.
On the second day, attendees went to the Philippine Normal University, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Marikina Polytechnic College for the leadership immersion and benchmarking. The presidents of each HEIs: Dr. Bert Tuga, Atty. Domingo “Sonny” Reyes Jr., and Dr. Rene M. Colocar, respectively, discussed their best-practices along with their selected personnel for their featured divisions.
By: Ramei L. Balajadia
