A2 Augustinian the
Volume LXVIII September 13, 2021
news
USA harnesses Solar Energy
PH gov’t to state media: “Stress Philippines is faring better” by gla i z a ra e d . a m a ble
POWER OF THE SUN. Newly-installed solar panels grace Dolce-Garcia Hall’s roofs. b y J o an n a Wayn e s . H or n e ja As agents for authentic, human, and societal development, the Office of the President approved by the University Board of Trustees (BoT) established a solar panel installation project at the USA Main Campus, June 2020. This was made possible after University President Fr. Frederick Comendador, OSA, was granted the authority by the USA BoT last 2019 to sign a 20-year power purchase agreement that will provide 812 kW solar power to the University. “There was a first attempt which was way back in 2014. There was another company who promised [setting] up solar panels on the buildings of the University
Main Campus. So we did a signing of an agreement some time in December 2014. Unfortunately, it did not push through so the company was not able to fulfill its promise. Later on in 2019, there was another offer to us and this is now the successful one,” stated Comendador. Cutting down the costs of electricity charges for the University, the newly-installed solar panels are located at seven buildings in the main campus, namely, Herrera Hall, Mentrida Hall, Rada Hall, Aguirre Hall, Gamboa Hall, Mendel Hall, and Urdaneta Hall. “We identified certain buildings in the University where we can install solar panels and
usa pub PHOTO • rotsen agreda
then in exchange once they have installed the solar panels, the University would be buying directly the power generated from the system based on the consumption that we have from the company. But the cost of the energy is very much lower than what we are paying outside. So there is already a fixed amount that we are paying, almost half than what we are paying outside,” explained Comendador in an interview with The Augustinian. Now slashing expenses alloted for electricity, the University will reallocate these funds to infrastructure development, additional services, and improvements on the incentives and salaries of the University employees. “Having solar panels
installed would be highly beneficial to the University and to the environment. Not only is the University going to save money and electricity during this pandemic, but San Agustin would also be promoting a healthier environment by using clean and pure energy from the sun. As the minister for the Environment Advocacy, I’m really looking forward for this endeavor of theirs,” said USA Student Government Chairperson for Environmental Advocacy Ronald Dilla II. In line with this, the University plans on the further development of the said project in the future, with the installation of more panels in the main campus and in the USA Sambag Extension Campus.
USA-MedTech Board Rate trumps Nat’l Passing Rate BY H an n ah Jhan yl l e C. Po Despite two COVID-19aggravated postponements, 78.57 percent of University of San Agustin takers passed the 2021 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination (MTLE), higher than the 67.59 percent national passing rate. Based on the official results released on February 8 by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), 77 out of 84 Augustinian examinees passed the two-day exams, with 74 passers on January 21 and three on January 22. “USA performance is still good, higher than the national passing rate of 67.59 percent, especially considering how the pandemic disrupted the system of preparedness of each individual,” remarked Jose Perez Jr., academic
supervisor of the Medical Laboratory Science Program. PRC announced two MedTech board exam postponements in March and August 2020, rescheduling it January 21-22, 2021, with the approval of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. “It left us examinees with only two months to prepare, less time compared to the four months given in previous announcements, so after passing the exams and what came before, I felt overwhelmingly peaceful and thankful we survived,” stated Ancel D’Cunha, a 2021 MedTech board passer and medical technologist at USWAG Iloilo COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory.
HB 7814 beefs up PH Drug Control B y EMY ROSE g . GALLEGO Despite opposition, voting 188-11 with nine abstentions, the House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) No. 7814, “An Act Strengthening Drug Prevention and Control, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9165 as amended, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Acts of 2002,” seeking to intensify the country’s drug prevention and control on March 2. The new bill aims to give more teeth to the RA 9165, providing legal presumption on individuals considered as drug importers, financiers, protectors, or coddlers. “With at least 30 presumptions against mere suspects and favoring Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other law enforcement agents, HB 7814 whittles down the constitutional presumption of innocence to a mere sliver. One’s mere presence in the place of a drug operation makes him or her presumptively involved in the sale or dispensation of illegal drugs,” said Makabayan bloc in a statement. Under Section 2 of HB 7814, a person is considered to have imported or exported illegal drugs, “until proven otherwise,” when any form of drug-related documents is found “in his/her possession or under his/her direct or indirect control.” “The country’s law enforcement problem demonstrates the state’s failure to ensure people’s protection from crimes, whether drug- or terrorism-related. Passing laws that institutionalize disregard for human rights only further inundates a population already exhausted by the impacts of the pandemic,” explained Butch Olano, Philippine section director of Amnesty International. Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the primary author of the bill, defended the measure, saying the presumption of innocence enshrined under the constitution would not be discarded. “In the proposed amendment, each of the presumptions does not presume the guilt of the accused because the burden of proof to establish the guilt remains in the prosecution. The presumptions in the proposed amendment arise only after the prosecution has presented proof beyond reasonable doubt of certain facts (the proven facts) upon which the presumption is based (the facts presumed),” expressed Barbers.
To maintain its high passing rate, like 100 percent in 2017 and 2018 and 97.78 in 2019, the University conducts training and evaluation programs comprising a one-year internship and comprehensive exam, prerequisites to an assessment and review class involving pre-board and simulations, and the actual licensure exam
preparations. “Congratulations for having risen above these challenging times, and even if some were not able to pass, I would like you to give it your best shot next time as this episode does not define you,” expressed Rosemarie Visitacion, clinical instructor and chief medical technologist of the USA Clinical Laboratory.
DOUBLING EFFORTS. MLS interns take their comprehensive examination in an effort to conquer the prolific grounds of academic excellence. file PHOTO • Erben Louis Labrador TILIPUNAN
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Tiyangge, Tilipunan Wellness Project, Augustinian CARES (Calamity Action Response Efforts and Services) for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, alcohol distribution in response for the COVID-19 pandemic, and many more. “The purpose of the Tilipunan is to cater the needs of the people in the community because serving the less privileged is like serving the Lord,” highlighted Lazarraga during an interview with The Augustinian. During the Presidency of Mrs. Ruth T. Jarantilla, former president of Zonta Club, and USA President Fr. Eduardo Perez, OSA on December 1979, the Tilipunan was TRANSITION
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University, we still have to take a look at the total situation and then we will adapt accordingly in order for us to continue. So, we will just abide by what is dictated by the IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolutions] or by the national government,” added Gumban. Moreover, when the pandemic impinged changes in the
founded to provide its beneficiaries social welfare services, non-formal education for the out-of-school youth, health and child care, and livelihood programs. Mrs. Teresita Gallardo, one of the beneficiaries of the organization, also expressed her gratitude, “Nagapasalamat gid kami sa ila nga ginbulig sa amon. Kabay pa nga damo pa gid sila nga mabuligan.” [We’re very thankful for the help that they have given to us. I hope that they could help a lot more people.] Meanwhile, SACEO Director Maria Cristy E. Daguay reiterated the commitment of the Tilipunan in serving the out-of-school youth, making a difference in the lives of the people, and providing a focal point for the community. adjustments of the learning and teaching management systems, the circumstance posed challenges for the students and the teachers. “As a teacher, it’s really challenging to keep up with the demands of the online and modular learning though the transition was made almost a year ago already. But I believe that everybody’s top priority right now is to be safe and unite to continuously lessen the COVID-19 cases. During this big battle
While the pandemic turns into a year old, and many still contending with vaccine challenges and grappling with surges, President Rodrigo Duterte instructed state media to show that the Philippines is doing better than the other nations in its COVID-19 fight. This directive is contained in a circulating document, dated April 27, where Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary George Apacible addressed to News and Information Bureau (NIB) Director Virginia Arcilla-Agtay to direct government media platforms to provide COVID-19 data and statistics about other countries. “Yes, there is a memo directing us to give updates on world data regarding this pandemic and to convey that we are faring better than them,” Agtay confirmed in a statement, adding that “there is nothing wrong with this, nor it is a lie,” but “simply amplifying facts.” Agtay further cited local and global statistics to highlight the country’s comparative ranking in several COVID-19-related categories. “According to recent data from Bloomberg and other foreign posts, the Philippines ranked fourth among 10 ASEAN countries in vaccine rollout as of March 1 this year, ahead of Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. It is also on the 28th spot out of more than 200 countries and territories in the number of tests conducted, based on the Worldmeters statistical report. The country has also vaccinated more than 1 percent of the population with 1, 809, 801 doses of vaccines administered and has been able to achieve a recovery rate of more than 90 percent of our total cases,” detailed Agtay. Moreover, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque exclaimed the excellence of Duterte government’s handling of the crisis and even insisted the public to just look at the number of recoveries despite the 1 million total tally of coronavirus infections. “First of all, we did not let the cases increase. It is just that variants were the reason why cases ballooned,” said Roque in a press briefing, adding that the Philippines’ ranking in terms of highest cases has improved to 26th from the previous 20th, which he thinks, is not a negative reflection. As of May 3, the country has a total of 1,062,225 coronavirus cases, of which 69,466 are active and has the second-most confirmed cases in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.
USA-Zonta-Tanza shares to Ilonggo community B y H o n e y M a be lle a. V i lla rba a n d M ar y W e n An t h o n y t . R i v e r a Providing the basic needs of humanity in this time of crisis, the Tilipunan Community Pantry opened for the Ilonggos supervised by the University of San Agustin with Zonta Club of Iloilo City, Inc. and Immaculate Conception Tanza Parish. The community pantry stationed at Tanza Parish Church and Tilipunan Community Center were able to provide for the 210 and 220 families respectively on June 5 and 12. “It is always better to give than to receive, and there are many people who are willing to help, you just need to look for them. Helping is not limited to those who have the resources or those who can afford, as John Paul II would say, ‘Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give,’” said Maria Cristy Daguay, Social Advocacy and Community Engagement Office (SACEO) Director. Food packs consisted of rice, protein (beef, chicken, and fish) canned goods, vinegar, soy sauce, oil, milk, coffee, sugar, eggs, and vegetables; while hygiene kits contained alcohol, face masks, and the information, education, and communication (IEC) material created by Medical Laboratory Science students Cris Cabalfin and Dovy Dichoson. “Nakita ko nga ang Tanza, ang aton bala nga mga kabataan nga hindi ma take care maayo, asta ang parents nila matudluan ta. … We are working hand-in-hand with San Agustin sa tanan na department, from the Department of Education for studies up to medical. … And now, we celebrated the 40 years partnership of San Agustin and Zonta. (I saw that the children in Tanza need proper care, and that we can also teach their parents. … We are working hand-in-hand with San Agustin in all departments, from the Department of Education for studies up to medical. … And now, we celebrated the 40 years partnership of San Agustin and Zonta.),” shared Ms. Ruth Tirol Jarantilla, previous Zonta Club of Iloilo City, Inc. President. The volunteers were Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Angelo B. Colada of Immaculate Conception Tanza Parish, Parish Secretary Mr. Crisanto Veras, Current President Ma. Amelita Lazarraga of Zonta Club of Iloilo City, Inc., Esperanza Tanza Punong Barangay Wilburt T. Orad, Tanza Parish volunteers, Tilipunan Kiddie Center (Tanza) Day Care teacher and parents, Barangay Peace and Order Council, PNP Station 1, and Basic Education Department Medical Clinic as first responders during the second pantry. “Other donors include Cofradia members, campus ministry, alumni, friars and administrators, non-teaching personnel, faculty and students from the Colleges, and RSO’s,” stated Khrismae Faye Collantes, SACEO Learning and Development Coordinator. against the harmful virus, I agree with the decision of the university to continue its preventive measures against COVID-19 and its current management of the university, including the online and modular learning and among others. All employees must work safely as students learn safely too,” expressed Angelica Panique, a teacher from the Basic Education Department – Senior High School Meanwhile, in laboratory works that emphasize an importance in the personal actuality of the experiments, a student shared her perception on the face-to-face setup of learning
as one of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department learners. “As a Medical Technology student, I find online learning ineffective in clinical aspects. In our laboratory classes, for instance, we are unable to get hold of actual testing of samples and equipment. Although we do our best to cope with what is available today, I believe that the conduct of face-to-face classes is best for our department, and should be implemented as soon as possible,” shared Rhena Therese Tordecillas, a student from the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department.
