Thirteen state universities and colleges (SUCs) from Central Luzon gathered at Tarlac State University for the Regional Joint Roundtable Discussion on Faculty Workload and Student Admission Policies on November 5 at the Gabriella Function Hall, TSU Hotel.
Organized by the Development Council of State Universities and Colleges Region III (DC-SUC III), through the Center for Inter-Institutional Research and Policy Studies (CIRPS), the activity aims to address two key policy areas in public higher education: the harmonization of inter-agency policies on faculty loading and the development of an equitable and inclusive admissions framework.
In his welcome remarks, TSU President Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza, also the DC-SUC III/CIRPS Chairperson, emphasized the importance of making higher education opportunities accessible and ensuring fairness in faculty workload through the guiding principles of PPP: Pinto, Pasan, Patas.
“Pinto–let us make the door the same for all. Pasan–let us make the load fair to those who carry it. Patas–let us try humbly to get program,” Pres. Mendoza said.
He also shared TSU’s commitment to keeping its doors open to opportunities for all, citing its implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, partnerships with the provincial government for scholarship support, inclusive admission initiatives for students with disabilities, and programs for Indigenous Peoples through the university’s International, Differently-Abled, Indigenous, and Marginalized Student Services (IDIMSS) under the Student Affairs Services, among others.
Pres. Mendoza also encouraged the participants to bring the outcomes of the discussions back to their respective institutions, saying, “Whatever we draft today, carry it home to your universities.”
Following the opening program, participants proceeded to parallel roundtable sessions to review existing student manuals and enrollment data, faculty manuals, and Equivalent Teaching Load (ETL) policies.
Other officials present were Dr. Brendalyn A. Manzano, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Marlon V. Gamido, Vice President for Administration; Dr. Laarni T. Capinding, Executive Director of CIRPS and Office of Curriculum and Instruction Director; Dr. Edwin T. Caoleng, College of Public Administration and Governance Dean; Engr. Enalyn T. Domingo, Office of Admission and Registration Director; and Dr. Andie Rafael E. Quiballo, Office of Student Affairs Services Director.
