Aiming to conduct a general observation on the facilities, equipment, and technologies of the Printing and Publication Office in accordance with the planned establishment of the ASCOT Printing Office, the Aurora State College of Technology’s (ASCOT) Public Information, Publication, and Data Protection Office (PIPDPO) held a three-day benchmarking activity to three SUCs in Central and Southern Luzon, July 12-15.

Represented by Ms. Raiza Kate L. Ico, Publication and Marketing Officer, Ms. Diana Rose P. De Mesa, Public Information Officer, and Ms. Yasmin Grace Baltazar, PIPDPO Staff, also together with the members from the ASCOT Gender and Development (GAD) Office, visited the publication establishments of Batangas State University, Cavite State University, and Tarlac State University.

On the first day, July 13; the team went to the Main Campus of the Batangas State University (BatSU), wherein they took a tour at the university’s Resource Generation Office, Gender and Development Office, STEER Hub, Center for Technopreneurship and Innovation, and BatSU’s LIKHA: Fablab.

Explaining the Income-Generating Projects (IGPs) of the University, Dr. Elisa S. Diaz of the BatSU’s Auxillary Services presented to the team the main objectives of their Resource Generation Office. According to Dr. Diaz, the income generated from the resource generation projects is allocated into the University’s Capital Outlay, MOOE, and Employee Development. Moreover, a portion of the revenue is also retained as a reserved fund for the capital of future IGPs.

In addition, Professor John Carlo Aggari showed to the team different products that their units have been producing for MSMEs in CALABARZON produced by their Likha: FabLab in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which also provide various services related to digital fabrication such as 3D printing, Laser Engraving, and Vinyl Cutting.

On the second day, July 14, the ASCOT Printing Office team went to the Main Campus of the Cavite State University. They visited the university’s facilities and offices related to IGPs, Public Affairs and Communications, and Gender and Development.

An open forum where the university officials and key persons lead by the University President – Dr. Hernando Robles, answered some of the inquiries from the ASCOT representatives regarding public information, GAD, and IGP was held after the mini-opening program for the team.

President Robles showed some of the university’s best practices, including the Agri-Eco Tourism Farm and other IGP Projects. He also discussed the proposed Printing Office of the University that will focus more on the standardization of print materials of both students and faculty members of the university.

On the third day, July 15, the team went to the Tarlac State University. They took a tour at the university’s Business Affairs and Auxillary Services Office, Gender and Development Office, STEER Hub, and other facilities inside the campus.

Engineer Pedro Felipe Jr. of the university’s Business Affairs and Auxillary Services (BAASO) explained to the group the processes involved in the Printing Press. These include bulk printing of reports, memo pads, receipts, forms, and event calendars. The university’s Printshop is strategically located on the first floor of the Business Center Building, making it accessible to students and offices.

The ideas, insights, and other best practices gained from the three-day benchmarking activity will help lay a strong foundation in establishing ASCOT’s own Printing Office that will provide quality printing services to its stakeholders and other potential clients outside the College. The establishment of the ASCOT Printing Office is worth sixteen million pesos, as indicated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2021.