Last July 2011, a few of the local elected city councilors in this City get a chance to earn bachelor's and master's degree in just one year. University of Makati is the first education institution that customized a degree program that is offered only to the Legislative Academy of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL): Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science for Councilors who have not obtained a college degree. While at the Graduate Program Level, a Masters in Development Management and Governance (MDMG) was offered similar to a Masters in Public Administration.
The University of Makati Professors conducted the classes in provinces wherein most of the councilor-students reside. This is in order to economize resources on the part of the councilor-students and the PCL Staff.
The different cluster classes are as follows:
University of Makati (UMak) -NCR and neighboring provinces cluster
Davao - Mindanao Cluster
General Santos -Mindanao Cluster
Cebu - Visayas Cluster
Albay - Bicol Cluster
Puerto Princesa - Palawan Cluster
The councilor-students who took the Bachelors Degree Program were Hon. Elizabeth B. Bagonoc, Hon. Virginia T. Llido and Hon. Dominador S. Lagare III. And with great honor, out of the hundreds of students, Hon. Bagonoc was given the privilege of leading the Pledge of Loyalty of the new graduates.
With months of policy paper making, traveling from province to province and additional financial expense the much awaited day for the students came - June 30, 2012. It was the graduation ceremony! GenSan should and must be proud to welcome back our own graduating councilors who have committed themselves in realizing their dream. This was born out of their passion, dedication and commitment.
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| Councilors Eduardo D. Leyson IV, Margareth Rose N. Santos and Marius Orlando A. Oco |
The graduating class from the City was composed of Hon. Richard L. Atendido, Hon. Eduardo D. Leyson IV, Hon. Margareth Rose N. Santos and Hon. Marius Orlando A. Oco. According to the councilors, what they learn during class are realistic and practical learnings that are actually applicable in their day-to-day duties as local legislators.
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| before the ceremony, Councilor Leyson IV and Councilor Santos with Councilor Natividad to give full support |
During the ceremony, the speech of the Secretary from the Department of Agrarian Reform, Hon. Virgilio R. Delos Reyes reminded them that public servants like them need to develop their Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Moral Quotient (MQ) as they navigate the world of public service. On a lighter note, Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., proposed to add the Political Quotient (PQ) because as political leaders, they are expected to have qualifications to become effective in government service.
With the graduation theme “21st Century UMak: Leading a Relevant, Revitalized and Revolutionary Education” the graduates our now geared up to hurdle the rigidity of the extremely challenging field of public service.
This unique kind of education to local legislators is a great opportunity to grab so that their responsibilities to their constituents will not be compromised.
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| the Councilors Leyson IV, Oco, Natividad, Atendido, Lagare III and Santos |
Photos: courtesy of Hon. Meg Santos
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