10 vie for UEP-Northern Samar presidency

By NENE A. MANZANARES (PIA Northern Samar)
February 2, 2007

CATARMAN, Northern Samar  –  At least ten highly qualified educators are vying for the presidency of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), a state university located in Catarman, Northern Samar. A reliable source said that it will be a "war of the titans" as most of the presidential applicants are known personalities not only in the academe but also in communities outside of the province as well.

Of the ten "presidentiables"’ three are considered "outsiders" of the University of Eastern Philippines. These are Dr. Gorgonio Balleta of the San Isidro Agro Industrial School; Dr. Isagani Mendador, college dean of San Lorenzo de Ruiz; ad Dr. Aida Tobes, college president of the Samar State College of Agriculture and Forestry of San Jorge Samar.

The seven "insiders" of UEP are Atty. Mar de Asis, dean of the College of Law; Dr. Manuel Basierto, dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Mindanilla Broto, vice-president for External Affairs; Dr. Rolando Delorino, vice-president for Administration; Dr. Norman Diaz, director of Research Services; Dr. Gregorio de la Rosa, former president of the Leyte Institute of Technology now Eastern Visayas State University; and Dr. Jaime Sanico, director of External Services.

On February 2, the ten presidential applicants will each give a presentation of their vision, mission and development direction of the university at the UEP Gymnasium. A public forum with the four sectors: faculty, students, non-teaching personnel and alumni associations will immediately follow after each presentation.

The University of Eastern Philippines started as an ordinary farm school and was first established as Catarman National High School in 1918. It was renamed Samar Institute of Technology in 1957 and finally converted as University of Eastern Philippines under Republic Act 4126.

Mandated to "primarily give technical and professional training, advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and the arts", it also provides for "the promotion of scientific and technological researches".

Under the stewardship of its outgoing university president Dr. Pedro Destura, the university has now 31 graduate and 47 undergraduate curricular offerings among the 10 colleges and one school. It has a total of 325 faculty members with 100 more from UEP Laoang and UEP Catubig.