3 AE grads pass board exam

Jaykie Homer Hernandez, John Benedict Masana and Camille Reyes passed the Agricultural Engineer Licensure Examination held on 24-25 August 2009 in Manila. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 122 out of 409 passed the exam given by the Board of Agricultural Engineering in the cities of Manila, Baguio and Davao.

The new professional agricultural engineers will take their oath before the Board on 8 October 2009, 1 p.m. at the Manila Hotel.

Engr. Masana graduated in November 2008 while Engrs. Hernandez and Reyes graduated in April 2009.


L-R: Engrs. Jaykie Hernandez, JB Masana and Camille Reyes

RMM wins best paper and poster

Dr. Ruel M. Mojica's research titled A Participatory Approach in the Development, Evaluation and Optimization of a Microcontroller-based Mechanical Coffee Roaster won the Best Paper (1st place) in the Development Category during the 22nd Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) on August 24, 2009 at the Laguna State Polytechnic University, Siniloan, Laguna. Dr. Mojica also placed third among 13 entries in the Poster Category during the event.

Each year, the Southern Tagalog Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (STARRDEC) conducts the RSRDH wherein member agencies vie against each other for best papers and posters. At present, STARRDEC has 25 member agencies, 19 of which are R&D implementing agencies.

Dr. Mojica's paper will be the official entry of STARRDEC to the National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) in November 2009.

DAFE profs attend PMS-OPES seminar-workshop

Drs. Leyma L. Cero and Marilyn M. Escobar participated in the Seminar-Workshop on Performance Management System - Office Performance Evaluation System (PMS-OPES) on July 28-30, 2009 at the Rolle Hall. Their participation is in relation to their designation as members of the Calibration Committee which is headed by Dr. Lorenzo C. Lapitan Jr. Office Memo No. 44 s, 2009 issued by the University President Dr. Divinia C. Chavez listed the designated key players and groups of the Agency PMS-OPES.

The Civil Service Commission required all government agencies to install the PMS-OPES. All agencies are directed to institute a Performance Evaluation System based on objectively measured output and performance of personnel and units. The Calibration Committee "acts as the final arbiter and determining body for the points for each output. It is the group that will manage the development and implementation of the agency performance management system including the creation of policies and guidelines for the PMS-OPES."

Dir. Annie G. Arcala of CSC RO IV served as the resource speaker for the three-day seminar-workshop. During the workshop, the participants came up with OPES reference tables for RECETS, Instruction, External and Business Affairs, and Administrative and Support Services. The members of the Calibration Committee reviewed the initial outputs.