RESEARCH has steadily allowed the ideas of hopeful minds to flourish and become sturdy bricks that tried to slowly build strong foundations for improving the human condition. In line with this thought, any form of government seeks the voices of the very people it hopes to govern to attain effective governance.
Last August 26, 2017 at the University of Mindanao’s Matina Campus PS Building, a very fruitful forum was formally opened by MPA Class President, Mr. JC James I. Soriano, to provide a way to create constructive conversations between researchers and evaluators. Seven of the University’s Master in Public Administration Program students eagerly presented each of their respective research studies to four esteemed representatives of government sectors invited to become members of their Panel of Evaluators.
The panel was then introduced by the program Emcee, Mrs. Hope Olivo, namely, Lawyer Francis Calatrava, Regional Public Attorney of Public Attorney’s Office Davao Region, Police Superintdent Romuelda Empleo, OIC of Regional Logistics and Research Development Division, Police Regional Office XI, Mr. Ruben Tacadao, MPM, Senior Agriculturist of Philippine Coconut Authority XII, and Mr. Virgilio Enrique Abanilla, Branch Head of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-Davao Region.
Each researcher was given five crucial minutes to present their study followed by a discussion with the evaluators.
To complete the attendance of the forum were at least three to five department members brought by each researcher to listen and be part of the later discussions.
The first among the presenters to take the stage was Mr. John Levy Ramientos whose research, “Quality of Life of Farmer Beneficiaries of Philippine Coconut Authority Projects: Basis for Intervention Scheme,” aims to look at the points of opportunities as well as the current situation in the coconut farming industry.
Mr. JC James Soriano presented “Organizational Climate of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Well-being of Employees,” which aims to have a keen look as to how the agency functions given the present structure and how the employees benefit in the process.
Mrs. Janneth Villota tackled on the current status and performance of the city’s police force in her study, “Perceptions on Organizational Climate and Performance of Davao City Police Office Personnel.”
Olivo hopes to shed light on issues regarding gender equality in the workplace in her research, “Ideology on Masculinity and Perception on Sexual Harassment Behavior of Men among Employees in a Government Owned and Controlled Corporation.”
Kristine Liz Barriga’s thesis on “Organizational Change Readiness and Employee Performance of Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine,” aims to evaluate the current performance and the possible impacts of organizational changes.
Nurjean I. Chaneco took on the issues and current means of ensuring the welfare of young offenders in her research, “Caring for Children in Conflict with the Law: From the Diaries of Social Workers.”
The final presenter, Cris Jay A. Gonzales’ thesis, “Social Services of Patient Discharge Planning Unit of Southern Philippines Medical Center: Client’s Perspective,” aims to help improve and spread the value of the unit in terms of helping deserving less fortunate clients in the hospital setting and to help ensure that other hospitals would adapt the program as it is only the Southern Philippines Medical Center who is able to provide this service in the whole Philippines.
Quick to take notes on the comments and suggestions of their evaluators, the presenters took to heart the priceless inputs needed to sharpen their ideas for their future thesis deliberation and in turn pave their way to finish their degree as Masters in Public Administration.
As with any forum, discussions vital to the improvement of each study proved to be very useful and was greatly appreciated.
Tokens were given to the deserving evaluators for their priceless time. Closing Remarks was then given by Class Vice President, Mr. Cris Jay A. Gonzales to cap off the joyous affair.
Lunch was then shared and enjoyed to celebrate the event along with high hopes that the coming years will continually give way to more ideas from the brilliant minds of the public. Brick by vital brick will be laid to make the future strong and stable for good governance to be gradually attained.
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We attribute the success of the said forum to the support and help of Dean Eugenio Guhao, Jr., D.M., Dr. Victoria Ligan, MPA Program Coordinator, Dr. Gerlieta Ruiz, Community Extension Project Coordinator, Dr. Ana Raissa Trinidad,Research Coordinator, Miss Lovely Aizyl Diwata, Miss Anabelle Gubat and all employees of the Professional Schools. (Cris Jay A. Gonzales, RN/Contributor)