Some more imaginings for BSU

(After attending the DTI-sponsored forum on industry roadmaps and AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) gameplan, I began to imagine more things for BSU. Blogs are blogs--avenue to spill thoughts and dreams candidly. Please edit na lang kasi tinatamad ako mag-ayos ng thoughts kaya chop suey lang hehe)

1. BSU may be better off having an IGP on coffee, or a seed production IGP for that matter. BSU supplies coffee cherries to Rocky Mountain Coffee, anyway, which the company raises in nurseries and sells to its contract growers. BSU also sells to individual farmers and LGUs or private companies anyway. Benguet has the advantage of having the best Arabica species I heard. So that RMCC I heard is moving "heaven and hell" to be able to renew their MOA with BSU because they probably cannot find a better and sure source of Arabica coffee planting materials. BSU gets incidental income from the arrangement. Maybe if this business of providing planting materials becomes an IGP and there is a project manager in-charge solely for marketing coffee or coffee cherries, or coffee seedlings, BSU may earn more while at the same time it can sell to as far as Mindanao as is happening now anyway but with a broker.

More comprehensively, BSU produces many seeds/planting materials but they usually just get incidental income from the endeavor. Maybe if there is really a certified seed/planting material production team or centralized department under the UBA who will proactively plan and promote and market technologies--potato, strawberry, snap beans, etc. (aside from work done with LGUs), then maybe BSU can earn more while reaching more clients not just in the CAR but in other provinces in Mindanao.

2. BSU-CEAT just got themselves expensive toys for free -- conventional and CNC machines. The aerospace industry as I heard has no way to go but up according to the speaker local aerospace major player John Lee. If CEAT plays the game well, and the President will be serious in his vision by hiring a part-time mechanical engineer and CNC machine custodian ASAP, then maybe, just maybe BSU can indeed help the local metal industry while at the same time earning itself enough to bear the cost of maintenance and utilities and a little extra. After all, 16 million-worth machine is no joke. And if BSU is not careful, these machines may still be inside the box until their warranty expire.

3. A Harvard graduate Cielito Habito says, it is time Filipino educational system train graduates not to find a job to earn salary, but to be entrepreneurs and create wealth. I wonder who has a curriculum that prepares children young as they are to have this perspective. Like the expensive "kumon" system that sort of trains a child in a certain way, it may be good to have a special school or curriculum where students are trained to think like entrepreneurs from the very start. I remember the BSU Secondary Education Training Department formerly Agri-science High now Science High. As early as high school, we had to learn agricultural science courses. Philippine Science High School I think also prepares the HS students for science, technology and mathematics courses. Maybe it is high time, a curriculum is developed in the Elementary Department where they are trained, young as they are, to invest in stocks, manage forex, do business or maybe at least learn the basics of entrepreneurship. Doctors' children usually become doctors or nurses; Government workers' children usually end up working in the government; Businessmen breed businessmen; Politicians, politicians. The only way we can raise more entrepreneurs is to expose children to the field early on, and who knows maybe even if Filipinos are not wired to be businessmen (the way Chinese are born to be as they say), some may be raised to get interested in the craft. BSU Elem Dept. and SETD may want to innovate so that its General Curriculum or Vo-Ag Curriculum may be expanded.

4. A speaker talked about the potential of the processed vegetable industry. He mentioned about Thailand now being the lead among the ASEAN. He talked about CAR having the potential since raw materials are just around. Thais dry just about anything and export them. (Like tourism where they package a small waterfall and earn millions of dollars from tourists wowing the place, they do creative things to their fruits and vegetables and fishes and export them and the whole world buys them.). Let us hope BAPTC will progress and the dream frozen mixed vegetable of Sec. Alcala will be marketed in time. But maybe BSU can start growing in its processing center before the creative ones start robbing them of the opportunity (as what happened to coffee). The BSU ube is now well known, but many loyal customers think the packaging can be improved. (aside: I heard the DevCom Dept creatively made a study about the packaging and labeling of BSU products and even did a consumer survey, but when they recommended their outputs to the FPC, these were rejected. Hmm.) Anyway, go go go food processing center -- parboiled and frozen, dried... what not... as the speaker said, processed vegetables have potential for export.

5. The NEDA-CAR director also talked about the key potential industries in the CAR and a top industry for CAR is ecotourism. I'm thinking about the strawberry fields of BSU. It was there where I spent many Saturdays and early mornings when I was in High School (some 25 to 30 years ago)-- growing strawberries, selling strawberries to tourists way before the pick and buy scheme became popular. Now the area is being squeezed by forms of industrialization. I would like to imagine it being preserved much like Burnham park-- fenced with nice looking fence, and developed to be as it is open strawberry fields with maybe some optimal number of greenhouses so that the production is all year round. Add to it a strawberry R&D center of excellence with a genomic center and one gets the whole picture. Anyway, I hope we can successfully craft the proposal for a wastewater treatment facility. It maybe the only chance for future acceptable irrigation water for the area.

(So hayan, kahit medyo masakit sa ulo ang makinig sa napakaraming speakers na isinaksak sa iisang araw ay natuwa na rin naman ako. Iyun lang magaling lang naman ako mag-imagine haha.)

Performance report

Our boss tasked us to prepare his performance report from the start he assumed his position until this time. 

Universities and other government agencies are being evaluated based on their achievement in what are called major final outputs (MFOs). Perhaps, administrators are additionally evaluated on their contribution and initiatives to facilitate the achievement of or even surpass target MFOs. One major final output of BSU, for example, is higher education. Performance indicators for this MFO are: number of graduates, quality of graduates in terms of performance in licensure examinations, and timeliness. For research as MFO, an ultimate indicator is the number of publications in ISO journals. 

While helping draft the report, I began to realize what it would be like in death when people finally face their Maker. I understand from biblical preachings that while salvation is not based on our past performance in this world (only by grace so that no one will boast), and that we must perform as Christians out of gratitude, for our enjoyment of our position, and for the glory of the One who chose and had been gracious to us, there are rewards and crowns in heaven that will be based on performance. I tried to think of the MFOs  required of us believers, and the corresponding performance indicators.

I am not a theologian but I can think of two MFOs with eternal value as  Christians: disciples and fruits of the spirit. We are told that a final charge given to the disciples by Jesus Christ is "to make disciples of all nations...". We are also told to live by the Spirit, the fruits of which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control...

If these are the MFOs of a Christian, and the indicators are number and quality of disciples made, % of times displayed love, % of times displayed patience and so on..., I am a non-performer!!! Failure!!! But oh well, wait, even in the university, there is a major final output called "support to operations"! Whew, maybe I have been tasked in this area; perhaps I may be performing a little in this area, but really, not as much as I should. But I am still not relieved of having to perform in the area of making disciples and having to live the fruits of the Spirit.

So I guess, in all things indeed, one learns a life lesson. Even while writing a performance report of the university or administrator, I was reminded of the essential outputs required of me in this world. It is terrifying enough to be evaluated in this fallen world. It is more terrifying though to think about the more essential performance indicators. My only comfort is His promise that all authority in heaven and in earth was given to Christ, and His Kingdom will go on and expand even if I become a "non-performing asset". He is after all, sovereign. The catch is that I lose the privilege, joy and rewards of performing well and achieving the required MFOs for a graced sinner.

Indokno

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 years of God's goodness to Khane

Th...ree says Chairo

With the Benguet Agripinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) brains

100 days at BSU

(ala the tradition of looking at your first 100 days or so in a new office, am writing to document my thoughts and feelings and accomplishments ‘kuno’ in my first 100 days at BSU)

Identity crisis: that I am now from BSU no longer from PhilRice

My moving in to BSU was sort of bad timing--BSU failed to qualify in getting their PBB daw so everyone seems to be in a ‘disappointment mode’; alleged problems in the length and flow of communications to and from the Office of the President; a loser in the presidential race and dislodged middle management or detractors are allegedly making issues which is adding to the discontent among BSU faculty and staff. I also realized that my being hired was an issue in itself, even when I did go through the process, was lost and confused in it, and even lost a precious baby in the process.

I will never know the real score why I was given a research position instead of the vacant faculty position published in the Baguio Midland Courier that I applied and was first interviewed for. Perhaps the research position was the best according to God’s unfathomable wisdom and plan. My frequent comfort and encouragement was my beloved reformed Presbyterian husband’s deep belief in God’s sovereignty and full trust that God is in control. “You were hired because of God’s grace. Period. Not even your credentials could have brought you to BSU,” he would always stress. However miserable I was in my first few days, I was joyful and content (even when it was finally decided by the personnel officer that I should get a salary equal to my salary 15 years back at PhilRice which I figure may stay like that until my retirement). I was joyful for my husband, for my kids, for my mother—my greatest treasures in life. I was not very happy leaving PhilRice, my home for more than 20 years, but I am joyful, joyful that I can still be joyful, and that am finally home.

I remember one VP telling me “Sigurado ka ba sa ginagawa mo?” Another unit officer said “Ang ganda ganda na ng kinalalagyan mo sa PhilRice, bakit ka pa pumunta dito? May Ph.D. ka na ba?” I saw looks that talked. I saw hi’s and smiles that quickly faded. I suddenly missed Sir Rodolfo Abastilla’s smile big time. I was very glad I felt a really genuine hug and welcome greeting from a lowlander teacher who probably didn’t care much about tribes and places of origin.

For months, I may have erred a lot: “Sa PhilRice kasi ganito…”, “Dun kasi sa PhilRice…”, “Dun kasi sa amin, I mean sa PhilRice…”, “Maganda siguro may document tracking system…”, "Dun kasi ang sinasign lang ng..." “maganda siguro magsegregate tayo kasi may solid waste management program ang La Trinidad…” After more than two months, some form of equilibrium ensued and it finally dawned on me that now I am from BSU, a different institution with norms, systems and processes of its own. My tendency to compare finally waned, to the joy of my hearers.

Administrative work

A pregnant officemate gave birth and had to go on leave. I was tasked by the secretary to take care of that officemate's part of documents. It was a good learning experience. I was appalled by how many documents the President had to read and sign each day—even just a 1 day travel order, or a 200-worth purchase order, DV, etc. I figured with such volume of communications and an executive assistant located away from the President, no wonder I overhear complaints regarding missing or misplaced documents, delayed delivery of communications, or unfriendly staff. I felt that the logbook system of tracking was fine, yet I feel there must be a more efficient way of tracking documents (just count how many people need to record 1 document and add it up). It took me around two-three hours to log supplies-related documents before releasing. I was pre-schooled with POs, PRs, BAC, etc.

After the experience, I was thinking with the volume of things to sign, the president has little time left to think, conceptualize about or study the more important things, generate resources, manage. Blame it to my body type, I thought I couldn’t just watch. I talked to the executive assistant, and bravely tried to talk to the President regarding reviewing the delegation of signing authorities. I was dismissed kindly and was ordered to do something not related. He talked about the culture at BSU being different. I thought to myself agin-lalaingak met gamin, indeed BSU is not PhilRice… another reminder that I am now at BSU.

I tried to develop an access database so that all incoming documents are recorded, either the documents are recorded as they are released or can be printed and those releasing will just double check and release the documents. I tried recording for a day and it seemed to work. However, the secretary dismissed the system saying “no January tayo nlng i-start” -- she apparently did not want to be the one who will encode all incoming documents, or perhaps just got used to writing in the logbook.

It was a little difficult at first because per my ‘position description’, administrative work was not in the list. Though I wanted to help, it seemed or I felt I was not welcome to do it because there are four administrative staff there already. But during meetings, it seemed the President expected me to be involved. Anyway, I just tried to do what he tasked me and continue to remind myself of what was in my ‘position description form’.

BSU does not segregate waste
We do not segregate waste at the BSU-OP, hence maybe BSU community on the whole do not segregate waste (quite strikingly shocking to me because BSU is a prime institution in La Trinidad, Benguet, a town proud of its solid solid waste management program; even in Tabangaoen, Balili, we must segregate or your residual waste will not be collected). Or maybe proper segregation was the culture PhilRice has engrained in me that it was unthinkable not to segregate. So I saw two trash bins and labelled it “biodegradable” and “plastic/non-biodegradable”. A day or two after, my labels were trashed along with the trash. I stopped trying and accepted the culture.

I did try to suggest to a member of the administrative council to suggest that BSU should be a model in waste segregation.  We still do not segregate until now. I remember how difficult for PhilRice staff at first also, but now it worked and is working. Anyway, I'm still hoping someday that BSU faculty, staff and students will segregate wastes.

“Funding is not a problem if you have a good project”

I was given a research position but I am stationed under the Office of the President as special assistant for external affairs or something like that--assist in packaging proposals daw, craft proposals for partnerships and linkages, and do ‘anything’ I am tasked to do. Research was difficult enough. Unclear TOR is doubly more difficult. It was good I still brought with me some projects from PhilRice and the President approved the collaboration.

I was tasked to check sources of funds for development projects, partnerships, etc. and check the themes and formats. I found many possible sources of funding for development projects, research projects, a few for institutional links and mobility programs. Two major constraints I noted are: 1) The Philippines is not a beneficiary in many of the available funding/grants (in SE Asia, usually only Laos, Cambodia and  Myanmar are eligible countries, and if a beneficiary, Benguet is generally not a priority area; and 2) Many development assistance are given to applicants in the donor country who then collaborate with the partner agency in the least developed/developing recipient country. So to be able to access those funds, it is the organization located in the donor country who is the principal applicant. The schemes and modes are different but this is the common system.  This means that initial linkages and networks are necessary, official or personal professional networks.

One major lesson I learned is if an institution would like to strengthen and create sustainable fund sources, partnerships or linkages, precedents and first impressions matter. A funding agency I called, for example, said bluntly “Yes you can submit proposal anytime but until BSU completes project X (a project they funded for BSU), we will not evaluate your proposal.” Apparently BSU did not deliver immediately its counterpart fund commitment so the project is not yet completed. Another project which had problems with liquidation is stopping many from proposing again to the subsequent calls because “what happened in the first case” becomes a factor for evaluators. The problem is they usually do not look at individuals involved, but generalize for the institution.

A final and significant note I was reminded of was a statement a PUM senior citizen expert (Netherlands Senior Experts): “In my experience, as long as you have a good project, money is usually not a problem.”

With that, I actually almost stopped looking for the calls/funding agencies/formats etc. I realized, indeed, indeed, it is better for projects to be conceptualized first before finding an agency to fund it. Never mind the calls and the deadlines, just conceptualize and write a good project concept. So I reduced my time looking for the calls and the themes as I was tasked. I still forward to selected faculty and staff really good and relevant opportunities be it scholarships, grants or calls for proposals for their information.

And since bilateral and collaborative programs are not just what I’m hired to help with, my major job description being research, I decided to craft research proposals as well. That is after all what I was trained for. Of the four proposals I submitted in those first 3 months, one was turned down (didn’t make it to the chosen 10 among more than 100 proposals submitted), one was not acknowledged so I am not sure if it was received or not, two are still under review. Whether at least one makes it or not, I am guided to keep thinking, writing, discussing with those who are interested, trying and who knows, God may grant me that “one good project “ in due time.

The rest of the time, I do the “perform other tasks assigned to her” part of my job description.

Early Imaginings

Trying to be a researcher as my position called for and wanting to orient myself about BSU 'affairs', I tried to read the BSU annual reports in the last 10 years. I realized how vast and wide the research scope and horizon at BSU is (at least relative to PhilRice). For 20 years, I had to study something related to rice and the few rice-based crops and products. But at BSU, one can work on any highland or no highland vegetable, fruit or flower, any root crops, any crop or animal really; or any issue--climate change, organic agriculture, solid waste management, environmental conservation, nursing, cooperatives, NGOs, industry... One (at least the faculty) can do anything related to instruction, research, development, extension, training, commercialization, production, basic, applied... research themes of almost about anything. I was somehow excited, and started imagining for BSU.  My earliest imaginations were: 
- a technical cooperation project... 
- a biocontrol production plant supplying most of the CAR and other regions; 
- a yearly "lakbay organik" in an organic agriculture park--something the farming/academic community can look forward to each year; 
- a fenced and preserved strawberry central park with R&D center; 
- a children's park near the BSU oval haha; 
- a genebank for highland horticultural crops, and eventually a molecular laboratory that can be used especially for highland/semi-temperate crops, etc (oops, organic agriculture alright, but the trend in science is towards genetic engineering); 
- an additional subject "environmental or resource economics" for environmental science or agricultural economics students or additional major in the Department of Agricultural Economics; 
- summer schools or joint summer schools with selected SCUs or agency in specific fields--something line agency staff and academic people especially from the lowlands will look forward to each year; 
- a document tracking system in place at BSU; 
- a grant (with loan) program for greenhouse/GAP-compliance; 

Imaginings indeed, but well who knows. I'm tasked to be a pusher, pusher I will be.

“I saw grace. I see grace.”

“Jesus, my help, I call on your name.

I cast my cares on you…

… I see grace, sealed by your sacrifice.

I see love reaching for me.

…Bearer of sin, afflicted and tried

You paid redemption’s price.

Bearing my curse…

Your death has brought me life.”

Overall, from the time I applied to my first 100 days, I saw grace. I saw it most during the application period, during the two nerve-wracking job interviews (and the two more teaching demonstration and job interviews I went through in another institution because of my impatience and lack of trust), in the death of my much desired supposed to be third child, in the issues both at PhilRice (the 'on humanitarian ground' permission to transfer since I only finished 50% of my required return service) and BSU (why “the outsider” was taken), in the demotion back to my previous position and salary rate 15-yrs ago, in my work assignment and job description confusion, in my first 100 days experience. Through it all, I saw grace in the full support of my husband.

Sinful sinner as I am, I deserved nothing, but I saw grace, see grace and believe I will see more grace. 

May I be able to give back the utmost service to my Redeemer in this new place, new work He has allowed me to have. May I be able to more fully support my husband in his vocation and service to the Maker. May I be able to properly and lovingly take care of him and my kids that they may grow to grow in His grace as well. May I be able to be an encouragement to my church who prayed and continually prays for my family. May I be able to give glory only to the One Master who made all things possible.