The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (OVCFA) spearheaded the “Orientation for the New Faculty Administrators on the Finance and the Administrative Processes in the University.” This was held at the UP Clark Green City (UP CGC) on 27-28 April 2023.
The orientation aimed to provide the new faculty administrators with an overview of the UPOU finance and administrative process within the QA Framework. It was also done to equip new faculty administrators with the basic knowledge to manage financial and administrative tasks effectively in support of the implementation of the university’s strategic plans and goals.
Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, opened the session and provided an overview of the event. The discussion started with the financial aspects involved in running the UPOU offices. Ms. Amalia Gecalao-Perez, Chief Budget Officer and head of the Budget Office, discussed how the Budget Office operates and the various policies, processes, and procedures involved in allotting and using funds for official purposes. This was followed by the processes involved under the Accounting Section, discussed by Mr. John Benverse Malabanan, Chief Accountant. He also included the role of the Commission on Audit (COA) amidst the operations of the Accounting Office. Mr. Michael P. Lagaya, Chief Administrative Officer of the Cash Office, then presented the various policies, processes and procedures involved under this sub-unit.
In terms of administrative aspects, Mr. Lagaya, Chief Administrative Officer of the UPOU Human Resource Development Office, explained the UPOU organizational composition and provided the statistics of the university’s personnel. Ms. Elvy A. Pamulaklakin, Chief AO of the Supply and Property Management Office and Campus Development and Maintenance Office, then explained the process of purchasing, acquiring, transferring and disposing of university properties and supplies, as well as the process of utilizing common spaces within the university premises for official functions and activities. Asst. Prof. Cesar Z. Luna, Assistant to the VCFA for Infrastructure, also presented the ongoing infrastructure projects that the university has and updates on their completion so offices can utilize the spaces.
All throughout the session, the floor was open for any clarifications and questions. All these questions were aptly addressed by Dr. Saludadez and her team under OVFA. UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, and UP Staff Regent, Hon. Victoria Canape-Belegal, also clarified some of the concerns and issues that surfaced. There were also some suggestions to improve the process further, how to make the procedures more efficient, and how administrators can be protected amidst the enormity of their accountability, especially in terms of financial obligations.
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel
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