LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Challenges and hopes coming from the government officials of Benguet greet Dr. Feliciano G. Calora Jr. during his investiture as the Benguet State University’s 6th and at the same time centennial president on May 17, 2016.
La Trinidad Municipal Mayor Edna Tabanda said that the municipality finds a new hope in Calora as he is a forester. She noted that the university president pursued his baccalaurreate, masters and finished his doctorate in forestry in the University of the Philippines of Los Baños (UPLB) Laguna. She added that through his leadership, the local government and the university will further strengthen cooperation in bringing forth academic as well as public services to the people.
Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan said that the academe contributes a lot for the province to become globally competitive. He said BSU through the years worked side by side with the provincial government in developing quality and competitive agricultural products with their academic researches and actual participation in the production. He added that BSU as it was actually already doing it since it was established.
“We hope that with Calora’s leadership, the university will help a lot in improving the irrigation for the vegetable gardens,” Fongwan said. He added that knowing the university president as a forester, the governor said BSU can help alot in the preservations and maintenance of the environment moreover the province’s forest to ensure the continuity of agricultural life cycle of the province and in the whole Cordillera Region.
In his speech, Calora said that in ensuring the retention of the university’s academic and service excellence, his administration will be guided by five-core values. He said his four-year term will be will be administered as a student-centered, leader-centered, integrity, diversity, efficiency and service oriented State University.
He said in addressing the environment especially the forests, the integration of science and technology is much needed. He said that only through intensive research and consultations with the communities coupled with appropriate measures can the goal be feasible.
Calora also said that to ensure productivity and competitiveness of the farmers, communicating with them is essential. He said that with the academic and technical expertise with the all-out support of the government, the farmers can topple any challenges and improve their lives for the better.
In 1916, the Mountain Province State Agricultural College (MSAC) was established and became as the BSU in 1986 as a chartered university. Not only the sixth University President, Colora will also be seating as the University Centennial President.
By Rocky Ngalob
