ASCOT Zabali Campus in Baler, Aurora brightens up with the installation of fifty (50) Stand-Alone Solar-Powered LED Street Lights strategically set within the area of the campus. The said project with an original Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of ?5,823,860.70 should have actually been awarded to a winning lone bidder sometime in March 2020. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic that implemented the community quarantine, all construction projects were suspended by the government including the aforementioned. Consequently, it has effected the DBM to slash at least 35% of the budget allocation and the fund for the project was left with a reduced ABC of ?3,101,024.50. The HoPE thus declared the previous bidding a failure invoking RA 9184 Section 41. c) (iii) if the source of funds for the project has been withheld or reduced through no fault of the Procuring Entity. College Engineer Jerome M. Galam, Architect Emil Nelius G. Sindac, Jr., and Project Engineers Rafael V. Ruyol, Gillianne M. Castillo, Abraham M. Nidoy, Raymond P. Dela Rosa and Regine Delos Santos, immediately made revisions to the original plan to correspond with the new ABC. Also, the new project is concentrated at Zabali Campus while another project is scheduled for Bazal and Casiguran Campuses. A bidding with the new ABC was conducted on June 30, 2020 and then again on September 16, 2020, participated by two (2) bidders but it was declared a failure. A negotiation was made with interested bidders and in the BAC-TWG’s evaluation CONRADO B. BAUTISTA CONST. & SUPPLY CORPORATION was declared to have the lowest calculated responsive bid and was awarded the project at a contract price of ?2,486,002.81. The installation of the Stand-Alone Solar-Powered LED Street Lights is now completed. The same project intended for Bazal and Casiguran Campuses is now on its procurement stage.
ASCOT and Provincial Government of Aurora Sign MOU to Develop the Ermita Hill
ASCOT and the Provincial Government of Aurora signed a memorandum of understanding that will pave the way for the development of the Ermita Hill. The MOU formalizes the turnover of the management of Ermita Hill to Aurora State College of Technology. Ermita Hill is part of the 196.6 hectares declared as the ASCOT School Site Civil Reservation endorsed by the Republic Act No. 7664 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 559. ASCOT President, Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes and Aurora Governor, Hon. Gerardo A. Noveras signed the memorandum of understanding as witnessed by the Hon. Bella Angara Castillo, Representative of the Province of Aurora last March 3, 2017 in front of the ASCOT Officials, members of the ASCOT Faculty and Staff, Unit Head of the different offices of the Provincial Capitol, LGUs and other stakeholders.
DTI recognizes ASCOT for its solid partnership
Sheryl F. Tecuico proudly represented Aurora State College of Technology to receive the DTI AWARD,recognition of partnership, from Secretary Ramon M. Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry, last July 13,2016 in the “Negosyo, Konsyumer Atbp (NKAatbp)regional trade fair featuring quality products from Central Luzon, held at the Fontana Convention Center Gallery Area. The NKAtbp , launched July 13 to 15, 2016, showcased various programs , projects and services of DTI. Talks and seminars relating to E-Commerce, Catapulting Business in the Global Market, Food Products Safety, Intellectual Property and Investment Briefing were conducted. Highlighting the event, more than 50 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) participate in the Mini Likha ng Central Luzon trade fair and Diskwento Caravan, a showcase of the different services of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The trade fair exhibitors are MSMEs from the seven (7) provinces of Central Luzon. Sabutan products of Aurora were displayed along with other famous products like the Bulacan Bread,delicacies, organic products and lanterns from Pampanga, pastry and cashew products from Bataan processed meat, calamansi juice, herbs and spices from Tarlac, turnip pies, corporate giveaways and fashion accessories from Zambales, and footwear, processed products from Nueva Ecija and other locally produced jewelry and furniture.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates the Start of Construction for the ASCOT Graduate Studies Building
ASCOT held a ceremonial groundbreaking event and time capsule laying to begin the construction of the new ASCOT Graduate Studies Building on July 18, 2016. The new building which will rise beside the Forestry Building is intended to house the graduate students, faculty and staff. Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, College President together with the Guest of Honor, Baler Municipal Mayor Nelianto C. Bihasa, led the ground breaking ceremony which included the laying of time capsule and ceremonial shovelling. In her message, Dr. Nantes acknowledged all those who worked assiduously towards the conception up to the implementation on the construction of the new building. Hon. Nelianto C. Bihasa also gave his remarks commending the effort of the whole ASCOT community in this undertaking and is looking forward for more collaborative projects with the agency. Dr. Shirley N. San Pedro, Director of the Graduate Studies program concluded the activity with a closing remark filled with gratefulness and inspiration.
CHED Grants P2.1M Funding for the Establishment of ASCOT SMART CLASSROOMS
The Aurora State College of Technology is a recipient of a financial grant from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the amount of Php. 2, 100, 000.00 to finance the establishment of ASCOT SMART CLASSROOMS. This project was awarded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) through the resourcefulness of the College President and with the hard work of the Academic Directors who prepared the project proposal in this regard, equipping the College with the technology tools that will improve the student learning environment and aiming to upgrade the College’s capability and sustain its development efforts to keep the lead role in providing excellent education. As part of the ASCOT’s Smart Classroom Project, technologies to facilitate teaching and learning have been installed in the seven (7) Departments that were selected for the implementation of the project. With its goal to enhance classrooms with new technologies to support educational initiatives, each Department received 12 units desktop computers, 1 unit server, 1 unit LCD projector, 12 pieces chairs and 4 pieces computer tables (3 computer units per table).
IT instructors assist DTI in the Annual Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Indexing
The Department of Trade and Industry taps the expertise of Aurora State College of Technology to provide professional assistance in the Annual Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index ranking. ASCOT instructors Sherwin Glorioso and Von Gerald Macose , Norma Barbasa , and Extension staff Jestoni Macasinag, were all requested through the extension office to validate the CMCI data of the province of aurora. Part of their tasks was to visit the different LGU, analyze then validate the data, under the supportive supervision of Extension Director Dr. Eduardo F. Macose The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. The process is done online with the help of Google technology (Google docs). Usually in charged in the initial answering of the form are the licensing officers of the different local government unit. A National Template was created and uploaded to provide the initial overview of their LGU data regarding the economical standing of a city/municipality. These will later be ranked based on data collected from the LGUs and submitted by the (RCCs). The Existing competitiveness indicator systems were used as guidelines in forming the framework behind the Index. Three convergent pillars were found among the most common key indicator areas: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency and Infrastructure. The framework integrates these pillars of local economic development and competitiveness up to the regional, national, and global levels The rank gives them an impression of the true measure of competitiveness that will attract businessmen and investors to locate in their cities.” It was designed to encourage local governments to regularly track data and ventually benchmark performance against the most competitive cities every year and other cities in the ASEAN. Previous leading cities were Makati City, Cagayan de Oro (Misamis Oriental), and Naga (Camarines Sur); for municipalities, Daet (Camarines Norte) was ranked the most competitive overall, followed by General Trias (Cavite) and Kalibo (Aklan). The Index can be used as a diagnostic tool by local government officials to assess the competitiveness of their city or municipality and identify areas for improvement and collaboration. Data can provide insight for policy making, development planning and investment promotion. The Index also paints a general picture of Philippine cities and municipalities which may be used by tourist, civil society, and the academe for further research. The project was overall beneficial to DTI, the LGUs and the college, which has been known for valuable researches and studies that helps in the betterment of the province.
ASCOT HRM Students Receives Youth Entrepreneurship Support Grant
Engr. Pedro S. Fernando Jr.,Chief, Department of Labor and Employment awards the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Grant amounting to Php. 150, 000.00 for the establishment of HRM Cafeteria, a proposed project of the ASCOT HRM students, in an Awarding Ceremony held last November 25, 2014 at Juan C. Angara Hall, ASCOT, Zabali, Baler, Aurora. The YES Program is one of the DOLE’s initiatives to mobilize students and graduates to entrepreneurship as an alternative to wage employment. It is implemented through partnership and cooperation with educational institutions. The YES in partnership with ASCOT through the initiative of Mrs. Alma S. Bayudan, school-based PESO hope to address youth unemployment as it prepares young college and tech-voc students and graduates for their transition to becoming members of the labor force by making them productive, resourceful and self-reliant. Moreover, same grant was also awarded to the ASCOT BIT Department last March 17, 2014 for the establishment of their Food Processing Center .
ASCOT ICTC conducts Seminar/Workshop on Film Appreciation and Film Making
Twenty-four (24) enthusiastic participants attended the Seminar/Workshop on Film appreciation and Film Making conducted by the ASCOT Information and Communication Technology Center. The 3-day event, scheduled May 9-11,2014 , was handled by Mr. Rommel Espinosa. He is a film and television producer, art director and production designer. The gentleman is also a proud product of Aurora province. Simply the perfect fit to be the resource person in an event that aims to provide basic knowledge in film appreciation and film making to the participants – from professionals to inspired young learners of Aurora. To further intensify the workshop, participants were grouped into five to come up with a short film of their own, applying the different techniques of filmmaking from theories to technical aspects. Each group was composed of various member, from skilled to amateur videographer, from kids to professionals. A mini simulation of a production was also observed, with each member of groups playing roles in a production headed by directors Atty. Sharon Teh , Eddie Rebueno, Lyndon Belen, Rey Zamora and Von Gerald Macose .
Extension Department launches Training and Professional Development
Aiming to improve the competence and proficiency of Aurora State College of Technology employees, Mrs. Cynthia D. Macose, Extension Coordinator for Graduate studies, initiated the “Training and Professional Development”. A FREE four day training, dated March 8, 15,22 and 29, 2014, that aims to provide a refresher class for Math and English. Primary target of this event are the employees and students of Aurora State College of Technology . Mrs. Macose believed that the modified behavior and skills will contribute to the attainment of the organization’s goals and objectives, while also preparing them to perform in positions of greater difficulty and responsibility. Specific objectives of the training are, 1. Better performance of personnel in the organization where they belong; 2.Upgrade/update their skills and knowledge through the betterment of the organization, 3.make them qualify to their present or future position.
AMRDI staff joins PAMS 12
The Philipine Association of Marine Science held its 12th National symposium in the University of the Philippines – Visayas, Tacloban College and was scheduled from October 24 – 26, 2013. The symposium was attended by four Research assistants from the Aurora Marine Research and Development Institute, namely For. Jestonee Bitong, Kristine Rose Doringo, Mary Jane Aragon and Karl Thomas Olivar. PAMS symposium is conducted once every two years and this years marks the 12th time sice it occured on 1990. This years theme is Marine Biodiversity Conservation: Key for sustaining Ecosystem goods and services.