ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 24, 2009) - The Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) on Tuesday said it is vigorously pursuing an agriculture project with other stakeholders in an effort to sustain for security in Zamboanga Peninsula.
It said the project, dubbed “Enhancing the Demand for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Graduates Through Science and Technology,” has three phases –the Baseline Survey of Zamboanga Peninsula Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (AFNR) Graduates; the Institutional Capability Enhancement; and the Support to Income Generating Projects and Diploma in Agriculture Technology – Bachelor of Education (DATBED).
Dr Grace Rebollos, WMSU President, said the project being implemented thru the College of Agriculture (CA) under Dean Teresita Narvaez, is in collaboration with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources and Development, the Department of Science and Technology (PCARRD-DOST); the Western Mindanao Agricultural Resource and Research Development Council (WESMARRDEC); and three other state colleges and universities (SUCs) in Western Mindanao.
WMSU was one of the four short-listed SUCs from a long list of over a hundred SUCs which vied for funding by the PCARRD-DOST last year, according to Dr Albert Aquino, Director for the Socio-Economic Research Development of the PCARRD-DOST.
Aquino said that in granting the funding to Western Mindanao SUCs with WMSU as the lead institution, PCARRD is optimistic in the competence and track record of the university’s project management.
He also praised a group of WMSU experts headed by Dr Teresita Narvaez, Dean, CA; Dr Chona Sarmiento, Dean, Research Development and Evaluation Center; and Dr Frede Moreno, Director, Policy Planning and Budget Office, who wrote the project proposal.
Other SUCs that are collaborating in the project are WMSU Dumingag; Jose Rizal Memorial State College (JRMSC) in Dapitan City; JRMSC in Tampilisan town in Zamboanga del Norte province and the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) in Zamboanga City.
The WESMARRDEC, through Dr Emilie Enriquez, the Consortium Director, was tasked to help monitor the progress of the project.
Representatives from WMSU and PCARRD-DOST held an inception meeting in Zamboanga City recently for the second and third phases of the project.
The PCARRD-DOST, led by Aquino, was impressed at the readiness of the university for the project after his team made an evaluation visit of the WMSU-College of Agriculture facilities in San Ramon campus.
Aquino was joined by teammates Dr Melvin Carlos, Project Manager for AFNR Programs 2 and 3; Tomas Cabagay, Assistant Project Manager; and Richard Caite.
Zamboanga Peninsula is composed of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte provinces. (Evelyn Luceño)
Showing posts with label Western Mindanao State University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Mindanao State University. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, May 02, 2008
Letter To The Editor: A Mindanaoan's Tale Of Racism And Discrimination
Greetings.
I'm a job seeker from Zamboanga City. I am a graduate of Western Mindanao State University where I finished my Bachelor of Laws.
I applied in ESS Manufacturing Company, Inc. (EMCI) which holds its offices at the 41st, 42nd and 23rd floor of PBCOM Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati, for the position of Legal researcher/legal indexer.
They called me to take their written examination. The next day, they called me again and told me that I passed the written examination. Furthermore, I have to pass their assessment (I don't have any idea on what's their procedure on this). Later, they called me and told me that I passed the examination and was invited for an interview.
On the day of the interview, I was asked by this interviewer: Where did I take my Bachelor of Laws? And I told her that I finished my degree from Western Mindanao State University. She replied: "Pardon again." I repeated my answer. Then she blurted: "Oh! Mindanaooo..." as if there's an expression of awe and surprise. I felt a bit insulted because I sensed a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.
And they say that they would call within this week if ever they will decide to hire me.
I know that it is management prerogative to select and hire whom they want to be employed in the company. But as an applicant, we also have a right to be respected. Of our being human, because we have feelings, too. Emotions. We get hurt. We're not automatons or machines.
Also, as emphasis we have the right to be respected of our roots.
I wrote this letter as a preemptive strike if ever I will not be hired because of the word MINDANAO in my resume.
And as always, I will not be ashamed to be called a MINDANAOAN! I am a MINDANAOAN! and I will always be a MINDANAOAN!
People might say that I am overreacting. No, I'm just offended by the way that certain intelligent interviewer uttered the word MINDANAO. As if there's an air of derision and disgust. As if such word MINDANAO will put my application into damnation. Into one of their shredding machines or trash cans.
If they are smart as they think they are, they should have noticed the word MINDANAO in my resume before I was called to take their written examination. Also, why did I pass their assessment? I don't have any clue to how they did it. And only to dump my application because of the word MINDANAO.
They should have had saved me from the expenses of going back and forth from my residence in Ermita, Manila to their place. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought about by the stress of traveling and city pollution.
This goes to show that these Corporate Indios don't really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these pathetic people because I have Spanish and Mexican blood running in my veins. And I speak a Creole Spanish language called Chavacano. Now, that's throwing their trying hard Racist attitude back at them.
Also, I wrote this letter to warn other Mindanaoans that these trying hard Racist exists. And we, as MINDANAOANS, should stand up and fight for what we believe is right.
After passing all the requirement, tests, examinations, assessments, etc. then dumping your application in the end because you're a MINDANAOAN is tantamount to "economic abuse," as defined by law and construed in a liberal and broader context.
This local racism phenomenon must be stopped!
Thank you very much. God bless us all!
Fernan Soria <soria_fernan@yahoo.com>
P.S. This letter is a rough draft and I didn't do some editing or proofreading. I have done this on the spot to capture the essence, emotion and energy of my sentiment as a MINDANAOAN.
I'm a job seeker from Zamboanga City. I am a graduate of Western Mindanao State University where I finished my Bachelor of Laws.
I applied in ESS Manufacturing Company, Inc. (EMCI) which holds its offices at the 41st, 42nd and 23rd floor of PBCOM Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati, for the position of Legal researcher/legal indexer.
They called me to take their written examination. The next day, they called me again and told me that I passed the written examination. Furthermore, I have to pass their assessment (I don't have any idea on what's their procedure on this). Later, they called me and told me that I passed the examination and was invited for an interview.
On the day of the interview, I was asked by this interviewer: Where did I take my Bachelor of Laws? And I told her that I finished my degree from Western Mindanao State University. She replied: "Pardon again." I repeated my answer. Then she blurted: "Oh! Mindanaooo..." as if there's an expression of awe and surprise. I felt a bit insulted because I sensed a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.
And they say that they would call within this week if ever they will decide to hire me.
I know that it is management prerogative to select and hire whom they want to be employed in the company. But as an applicant, we also have a right to be respected. Of our being human, because we have feelings, too. Emotions. We get hurt. We're not automatons or machines.
Also, as emphasis we have the right to be respected of our roots.
I wrote this letter as a preemptive strike if ever I will not be hired because of the word MINDANAO in my resume.
And as always, I will not be ashamed to be called a MINDANAOAN! I am a MINDANAOAN! and I will always be a MINDANAOAN!
People might say that I am overreacting. No, I'm just offended by the way that certain intelligent interviewer uttered the word MINDANAO. As if there's an air of derision and disgust. As if such word MINDANAO will put my application into damnation. Into one of their shredding machines or trash cans.
If they are smart as they think they are, they should have noticed the word MINDANAO in my resume before I was called to take their written examination. Also, why did I pass their assessment? I don't have any clue to how they did it. And only to dump my application because of the word MINDANAO.
They should have had saved me from the expenses of going back and forth from my residence in Ermita, Manila to their place. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought about by the stress of traveling and city pollution.
This goes to show that these Corporate Indios don't really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these pathetic people because I have Spanish and Mexican blood running in my veins. And I speak a Creole Spanish language called Chavacano. Now, that's throwing their trying hard Racist attitude back at them.
Also, I wrote this letter to warn other Mindanaoans that these trying hard Racist exists. And we, as MINDANAOANS, should stand up and fight for what we believe is right.
After passing all the requirement, tests, examinations, assessments, etc. then dumping your application in the end because you're a MINDANAOAN is tantamount to "economic abuse," as defined by law and construed in a liberal and broader context.
This local racism phenomenon must be stopped!
Thank you very much. God bless us all!
Fernan Soria <soria_fernan@yahoo.com>
P.S. This letter is a rough draft and I didn't do some editing or proofreading. I have done this on the spot to capture the essence, emotion and energy of my sentiment as a MINDANAOAN.
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