Aimed at evaluating the candidates for the Private Sector Representative (PSR) posts who will sit at the highest governing board of the university, Biliran Province State University hosted a Sectoral Public Forum on September 19 at the BiPSU HAVC with incumbent Private Sector Representatives’ Hon. Jean Clare Diu and Hon. Jamie Dianne O. Espina, seeking reappointment bids.

The event gathered university stakeholders—including students, employees, alumni, and members of the private sector—who engaged in discussions to assess the candidates' roles and plans for the university's governance.

During the said forum, incumbent PSRs, Hon. Diu and Hon. Espina, expressed their intention for their reinstatement for their positions in the Board of Regents. They also shared their mission and vision should they be reappointed.

Hon. Diu submits for reappointment

Jean Clare T. Diu was officially installed as a member of BiPSU’s Board of Regents (BOR) on September 30, 2022, representing the private sector. As her term is set to expire on September 30 this year, she has formally sought reappointment to the post.

Diu, who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in University of San Carlos, hails from the business sector. She currently serves as the General Manager and Accountant of Johnton’s Marketing and WAD Space Rental Services. Additionally, she is also the Corporate Secretary of the Biliran Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., the province’s largest federation of businesses and entrepreneurs.

As she seeks reappointment, Diu shared her mission during the sectoral public forum. She revealed that she wants to strengthen the university's collaboration with key industry players and expand opportunities for student success.

“My mission is to foster strong partnerships between the university and the private sector, ensuring that BiPSU’s thrusts are aligned with industry needs and to drive resource mobilization to support innovation, student development, and entrepreneurial initiatives, preparing graduates to excel in a dynamic global market and contribute to the sustainable growth of the region and beyond,” she said.

Moreover, Diu also envisions enhancing BiPSU’s role as a bridge between academia and industry.

“My vision for BiPSU is to be a state university with a strengthened connection with the private sector, ensuring that its programs align with industry needs and prepare graduates to contribute meaningfully to the local and global economy,” she said. “I see the university as a hub of innovation, where academic excellence meets real-world demands through active collaboration with industry partners.”

Hon. Espina eyes second term

Like Diu, Espina was also appointed on September 30, 2022, as a PSR and is now eyeing a second term.

She graduated from STI College of Baguio with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and from the University of Eastern Philippines with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Currently, she works as the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary at 3G Construction and Development.

During the forum, Espina shared her plans should she be granted reappointment, emphasizing her commitment to fostering collaboration between the university and the private sector.

“To champion the integration of private sector expertise and innovative practices into university strategies, driving enhanced educational programs, industry partnerships, and community impact,” her mission stated.

Moreover, Espina also revealed her vision for the university with her as a member of the governing board. She shared that she envisions BiPSU as a leader in innovation and academic excellence, deeply rooted in partnerships with the private sector. “A state university that thrives through strong private sector collaboration, driving continuous innovation, academic advancement, and sustainable community growth.”

The reappoinment is a trend setter

In his message, Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., the University President, emphasized the importance of the private sector's involvement in the university's development. He highlighted the collaborative spirit that the university aims to foster through partnerships with private entities.

“Through the PSR, we benefit from an external perspective that keeps us aligned with the changing needs of the industry, our communities, and the nation as a whole,” the university president said. “The PSR’s contributions are invaluable in ensuring that BiPSU continues to deliver quality education, foster innovation, and remain responsive to societal demands.”

During the forum, the Chairperson and members of the Evaluation Committee on the Private Sector Representative (ECPSR) were officially introduced to the public. The ECPSR is a search committee constituted by the Chairperson of the Board of Regents to evaluate and screen candidates from the private sector.

Hon. Atty. Ryan L. Estevez, OIC executive director of UNIFAST and the chairperson of the ECPSR, said that the university is setting the bar high in conducting the reinstatement process for incumbent PSRs. 

Moreover, Mr. Judah S. Aliposa, co-chairperson of the RDC VIII-DAC and Private Sector Representative for Disaster Resiliency and member of the ECPSR, confirmed that BiPSU is the first SUC in the region and second in the country to have PSR reappointment.

As part of the public forum, representatives from the different sectors were given the opportunity to raise questions, share feedback, and voice concerns.

The candidates also attended a closed door panel with the evaluation committee right after the forum at the OP convergence room.

Meticulous evaluation process

As incumbent PSRs, Espina and Diu expressed their intent for reappointment with a letter to the Board of Regents.

Subsequently, the board constituted the evaluation committee with Atty. Estevez as the chairperson. Aside from Mr. Judah S. Aliposa, other members of the committee include Prof. Homer R. Ampong, BiPSU's Management Information System (MIS) director; and Mr. Lawrence Pentado, Federation of Supreme Student Councils (FSSC) trustee.

After a thorough evaluation based on established guidelines and criteria pursuant to the 2022 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 8292, the committee will present its findings to the Board of Regents. The board will then decide whether to approve the reappointments based on the evaluation results.

University and Board Secretary Dr. Ralph Arvic Arcenal stated that they are targeting to submit the results by the end of the month during the quarterly regular board meeting.