Accomplishing BIR-related matters of start on the first month of the new fiscal year. This is necessary to do because it is through our taxes that the government gets some of its funding. We all get taxed one way or another. Those earning 250,000php and below are exempted from paying taxes, but it does not mean that they do not pay any taxes at all. The taxes they pay are included in the things that they purchase, the value-added tax. Every year employees go to the accounting office to get the necessary forms such as their sworn statements and income tax returns. After filling up forms, they proceed to the Bureau of Internal Revenue office and pay the fee. Since most of the job orders and contract of service employees earn PhP250.00 and below, they need to file their sworn statements to prove that they indeed are eligible for tax exemption. Should employees fail to do this, they are going to be taxed until they file it. Earlier this year, confusion ensued because some of the employees were unaware that they were taxed or had to pay a fee for late income tax return filings and such. Many went to inquire at the Accounting Office. Employees demanded an explanation. They were caught off-guard by the fees. The fees were non-refundable. To address the concerns of the employees, the Accounting office together with the Gender and Development team decided to conduct a tax seminar. They tapped the Atty. Raquel R. Dujunco, CPA, the legal officer of ASCOT. The seminars were scheduled on Feb. 23-24, 2021. Seven sessions were scheduled. On the first day, three sessions were dedicated to COS/JO with no other income and one was for COS/JO with other income. On the second day, one session was scheduled for regular employees with no other income and another one was for regular employees with other income. Employees listed their names on their preferred batch and time. Each session took at least an hour. Atty. Dujunco, CPA thoroughly explained the difference in the requirements for those earning less than 250k and those earning more than 250k. She pointed out that for COS/JO employees, what ASCOT gives them is not a salary, but rather a professional fee. This is because there is no employer-employee relationship between the COS/JO and ASCOT. She reiterated that in order to be eligible for tax exemption, the employees must provide proof. Thus, the need for the sworn statement and the payment of 500php every year to the BIR. For COS/JO employees with other income, they need to inform the accounting office because if their total exceeds 250k per year, they will be taxed. Income Tax Return was also tackled. It should be filed on or before April 15. This was discussed extensively since this was where some COS/JO employees got confused because they paid penalty fees for late filing. The attendees left each session with more understanding about the taxation of compensation. Health protocols were followed before, during, and after the seminar.
ASCOT PIPDPO Conducts Web Development Training-Workshop
Innovating strategies in facing the New Normal in education! Aiming to strengthen and upgrade the information dissemination strategies of Aurora State College of Technology’s (ASCOT) departments and offices, the Public Information, Publication, and Data Protection Office (PIPDPO) together with the Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC), Department of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), and the Gender and Development (GAD) Offices of the college is currently conducting a five-day Training-Workshop on Gender-Based Approach Web Development Using WordPress at ASCOT ICTC Tech4Ed Center, September 14 to 18. In her opening remarks during the event’s Opening Program, Forester Michelle A. Resueño, Vice President for Planning and Finance stressed out the importance of conducting this activity especially in continuing the learning and education despite of the COVID 19 pandemic. She also expressed the college’s administration’s gratitude and appreciation to the offices and persons who initiated and organized the said training. Meanwhile, Engr. Godfrey B. Gudoy, ICTC Director and ASCOT Tech4Ed Center Manager took the opportunity to introduce to the participants the ASCOT Tech4Ed, a unit which was formed through the partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Engr. Gudoy stressed out that all departments and units of the college can use the ASCOT Tech4Ed Center anytime to effectively disseminate information and education to ASCOTians with the use of technology, computers and other digital platforms. Moreover, PIPDPO Director Mr. Sherwin B. Glorioso expressed his thanks to the college administration for supporting the said workshop. He also requested the participants to apply what they will learn in the five-day training especially in making a webpage for their departments. He also said that all the outputs of the participants will be included in the ASCOT Official Page. This will help each college department to feature and exhibit their programs, activities, mission, vision, goals, objectives, and other best practices that will help their students and other stakeholders to know more about their respective departments digitally and with the use of the internet not just only this time of pandemic but also in the future. With their laptops and PCs, representatives from each department attended the first day of the training wherein Mr. King Alvin P. Grospe, BSIT Instructor introduced to them the WordPress, a free and open-source content management system used by experts in making webpages for different purposes such as for education, business, entertainment, and etc. Mr. Grospe taught the participants the step by step procedures and some tips and techniques on how to create an effective webpage – from the installation of necessary computer softwares and applications to the production and presenting the finished products of the participants. Each department representatives showed on their websites what can be seen, featured, and other basic information about their courses. To maintain the minimum health standards and protocols of the government and to maintain physical distancing, the training-workshop was divided into two batches. The first batch begun today until September 18 and the second batch of participants will have their training on September 21 to 25.
GENDER SENSITIVITY TRAINING-WORKSHOP (MODULE PREPARATION)
ASCOT GAD sponsored a Gender Sensitivity Training-Workshop on Module Preparation, held on August 25, 2020 at the Accreditation Hall, Dr. Juan C. Angara Building, ASCOT Zabali Campus, Baler, Aurora. Participants of the program included all GAD Coordinators and Members of the GAD Technical Working Group (TWG). Mr. John Claufer Malapitan acted as overall facilitator. In the GAD Director, Malou C. Angara’s opening remarks, she mentioned that the present situation brought about by the pandemic should not limit one’s desire to pursue his/her advocacy. She reiterated the need of giving Gender Sensitivity training to everyone, particularly to the newly hired members of the faculty and that instead of having a face-to-face training, a modular GST is an alternative measure to adopt. College President, Dr. Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr. delivered an inspirational message wherein he encouraged everyone to continue their advocacies and hoped that in the pursuit of such, it will eventually open the minds of those who refuse to understand and make change. Likewise, the president administered the awarding of the winners in the brochure making competition that the GAD office has initiated among themselves. Winners were: Joshua Dela Cruz and Lara Tereza Arcillas for their entry “End Rape Culture Now” and Jomer Mangawang and Raiza Kate Ico for “Bawal Ang Bastos: Safe Space Act”. Other entries were: “Stop Bullying” by Regina Candelario and Melissa Garace Nacino; “Mental Health Awareness” by Amparo Roberta A. Espinosa and Joh Claufer Malapitan; and “Adolescent Pregnancy” by Jeffrey G. Susada and Malou C. Angara. For the GAD advocates, it was a humbling experience when the president spared the team his precious time for a casual table talk/discussion. At the start of the training proper, TWG Member Jomer Mangawang provided the participants an overview of the training by mentioning the following topics – Family Planning, SOGIE Bill and Magna Carta for Women among others. Then, Ms. Malou Angara introduced the invited resource person, Mr. Kevin Lawrence G. Romas, a video editor from Tripzilla Philippines, Southeast Asia’s leading culture and travel digital media platform that reaches over 25 million users monthly. Mr. Romas discussed the topic on Policy on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Making and presented the different applications available for use in making brochures, booklets and other IEC materials. He also focused on graphic design and layout and emphasized the use of fonts, colors, and space in designing. At one point in the workshop, the participants were grouped in pairs and were assigned topics for brochure making such as: Malou C. Angara and Melissa Grace Nacino on Magna Carta for Women; Joshua Dela Cruz and Amparo Roberta A. Espinosa on Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood; Regina Candelario and Marlon Linggon on Drugs; Raiza Kate Ico and Sandy Bitong on Gender Fair Language; James Matthew Viernes and John Claufer Malapitan on SOGIE Bill; and Jomer Mangawang and Jeffrey Susada on Human Trafficking. It was followed by the presentation of outputs which were collected by the GAD director after the workshop. The training-workshop ended with the awarding of certificates to the participants.
ASCOT extends Computer Literacy Training to BFP
The department of Information Technology together with Information Technology Communication Center has successfully conducted the four-day Computer Literacy Training designed for the Bureau of Fire Protection personnel in Aurora. The program which was considerately designed to fit the needs of the said clients, started with a session with Mr. Sherwin Glorioso welcoming the participants to the world of internet. Further strengthening their know-how with computer systems, Mr. Marmol performed assembly and disassembly of a working machine. This is one of the BFP’s highly requested topics to equip them with basic skills in dealing with different computer problems.
ASCOT conducts Consultative Meeting of the Proposed Budget for AY 2017
The members of the ASCOT Faculty Association, Administration Association, Officers of the different Student Organizations, Scholars and other Stakeholders of the College convene for the conduct of the Consultative Meeting for the ASCOT Proposed Budget for Academic Year 2017 held today, March 04, 2016 at the ASCOT Covered Court, Zabali Campus, Baler, Aurora. Dr. Oscar C. Barawid, Vice President for Administration and Planning Officer gave the opening remarks while Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, in her message emphasized the importance of the conduct of such agency consultations to gather feedback, inputs, suggestions and recommendations for the program developments and projects of the agency.
Dr. Oscar Barawid Jr. is ASCOT’s New VP for ADMIN
2016 Welcomes major changes for Aurora State college of Technology. ASCOT started 2016 with a bang with major shake ups in its top positions Dr. Ma Luz Cabatan moving from being VP for Administration to VP for Academic Affairs while Dr. Oscar Barawid Jr. filling up the position overseeing the Admin Core functions. Here is a preview of the Life of Dr. OSCAR Barawid Jr. The energetic young man is an engineer by profession. His professional interest is lined with mechanics: Robot Tractors, Farming innovations, Alternative Energy, to name a few. In fact, he Developed two fully-autonomous robot tractors that can control steering, PTO, 3-point hitches, transmission and speed .
ASCOT Holds 21st Commencement Exercises
Amidst the strong winds and torrential rains, ASCOT has successfully held its 21st Commencement Exercises and the College first October Graduation on October 17, 2015 through Board Resolution No. 25 Series of 2015 which was approved during the ASCOT Board of Trustees 80th Regular Meeting. Dr. Ma. Victoria Ortega-Espaldon, UP Scientist and Professor served as the Guest of Honor and Commencement Speaker. Her keynote speech centered on the theme, “ASCOT Heading towards Global Challenges on Research, Technology and Innovation”. Degrees were conferred to a total of 47 graduates, 15 from the Graduate Program and 32 from the Certificate and Diploma Courses. The celebration was made possible through the leadership of Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, College President with the support of the Faculty, Staff and Officials of the College. The presence of the members of the College Board of Trustees, Officials, Faculty, Staff and most especially the family, relatives and friends of the graduates made the event more meaningful and a remarkable one.
ASCOT Holds In-House Review 2015
The ASCOT Research and Development Office conducted the Annual Agency In-House Review of On-going and Completed Research Projects 2015 last Friday, August 14, 2015 at the ICTC Audio Visual Room, ASCOT Zabali Campus, Baler, Aurora. This year’s In-house Review featured 13 research projects under the Research Category, Development Category and Thesis Category which were evaluated by three experts from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU): Dr. Romeo B. Gavino, Chair, Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Dr. Federico O. Perez, Dean, College of Agriculture, and Professor Tomas D. Gajete, Project Leader, Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry(SARAI-DOST), who also served as the Chairman of the Board of Evaluators. Each participant’s research projects were presented during the whole day activity and were judged by the evaluators based on creativity, originality, quality of work, significance of findings, the manuscript and presentation. Winning entries were commended through Cash Prizes and Certificate of Recognitions.
FREEDOM CARAVANS VISITS ACOT
A group of young volunteers visited ASCOT with the goal of igniting the patriotism and volunteerism within the students of the college. In a more specific objective, the group targets to encourage the students to take steps in protecting our motherland peace and sovereignty. The one-day event is highlighted by speeches and testimonies from the visitors, who come from different walks of life – students, young professional, and youth leaders. They discussed the history of territorial dispute and the status of the case. There were also testimonies and encouragement that each individual may take to contribute in the case and even in the growth of the Philippines as a whole. “This is not just about the Scarborough, nor just the Kalayaan islands, but this is also about the security of our generation and the generations to come.”- Mariel Ipan Freedom Caravan is part of “Kalayaan Atin Ito Movement!” which is divided in multiple phases. The different phases showcase different activities that will be heading to a grand event to be held Nov 30, 2015 where the International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) is bound to give its decision. Finale’ will be a mass gathering of different participants from all the provinces of the country. Each province will have one boat to represent, capable of navigating in the different islands in Pawalan regions including the controversial Kalayaan grp of islands. For more information please visit this site “Kalayaan Atin Ito Movement!”
ASCOT Feats in Licensure Examinations
Aurora State College of Technology has again produced new professionals based on the latest results of various licensure examinations released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for the months of March, April, May and June. Institutional Performance above the national passing rate was posted in the May 2015 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination and March 2015 Licensure Examination for Professional Teacher where ASCOT got a passing rate of 66.67% against the 31.57% national passing rate and 33.33% over the 31.63% national passing rate respectively. In the recently released results of the June 2015 Agriculturist Licensure Examination, three new Licensed Agriculturists from the Department of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences was included in the list of passers, they are Joselle Calara Dela Torre, Roosevelt Viernes Espineli, Rommel Lomboy Picart and Ma. Anthonete Alegre.
ASCOT Honor Graduates of Batch 2015
It was a momentous day inside Sentro Baler last Friday, April 17, 2015 as the members of the graduating class of 2015 were officially conferred with their academic degrees. But the event was a more remarkable one for the twelve graduates who finished their respective degrees with flying colors. On top of them, is John Paul M. Dela Peña who finished Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in Filipino as Cum Laude in spite of all the challenges and difficulties he encountered. The honor roll for this year included 3 BSED Cum Laude Graduates – John Paul M. Dela Peña, Chiesele M. Mariño, Angelica L. Backian, and 6 BEED Cum Laude Graduates – Hazel Q. Carrasco, Joy Marie Q. Corpuz, Judelyn B. Madarang, Jellie Anne R. Nicer, Richard C. Paragas, and Macarion V.Tobia, Jr. Also included in the list is Hanz A. Bernardino who finished Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering as Cum Laude. In addition, Cristy Jane Q. Llanita, Associate in Information Technology and Darlene P. Tubera, Diploma in Forest Technology were awarded With Honors.