North Eastern Mindanao University - Tagbina Campus (NEMSU-TC) recently joined forces with the community to take part in the Quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) and World Tsunami Awareness Day. Together, we emphasized the importance of creating safer, more adaptive, and disaster-resilient Filipino communities, all geared towards sustainable development. Aligned with Memorandum No. 013 s 2024 issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), stakeholders from government, private, and public sectors, including NEMSU-TC's faculty and staff, ROTC officers, and selected school paper publication members, participated in the aforementioned drill. Furthermore, the "Duck, Cover, and Hold" protocol was strictly enforced to ensure individuals are well-prepared to respond during seismic events. NEMSU-TC's participation in the Nationwide Earthquake Drill and World Tsunami Awareness Day underscores the institution's dedication to promoting a safer and more resilient society. As disaster preparedness remains a priority, steps are taken to pave the way for sustainable development and a brighter future for all.

- ✍️ Eula Jane Siban

In a proactive effort to enhance disaster preparedness and safety awareness among its student body and the surrounding communities, the North Eastern Mindanao State University-Tagbina Campus organized a comprehensive Information Drive on Earthquake and Fire Prevention on March 13, 2024. Led by the Office of Students' Welfare and Development (OSWD), the day-long event commenced with a morning session attended by students from various departments. Under the guidance of Fire Officers FO3 Edgar S Acdog, FO2 Jericho R Alipao, FO1 Arnel M Abad, and FO2 Niel Jason U Catoto, attendees were equipped with essential knowledge and practical skills to mitigate the risks associated with earthquakes and fires. Later in the afternoon, the focus shifted towards engaging boarding house owners and student boarders in discussions pertinent to safety, health, and sanitation. The speakers including Ms. Crissalen B. Danao for MDRRMC Matters, Mr. Nestor P. Cuyno for Health and Sanitation, and Mr. Jerome L. Enoy for Legal Requirements, addressed crucial topics aimed at fostering a safer and healthier living environment within boarding houses. Dr. Ariston O. Ronquillo, the Campus Director, underscored NEMSU's commitment to collaboration and cooperation with boarding house owners. "It is a give and take relationship" emphasized Dr. Ronquillo, highlighting the reciprocal benefits derived by both student boarders and boarding house owners, who are integral stakeholders of the University. As the University continues its proactive initiatives in fostering quality education and conducive learning environment, it remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating collaboration and mutual benefit among all stakeholders.

- 📣 Eula Siban

- 📸 Juvan Monsato

Responding to the pressing need for enhanced functional and science literacy among pupils, the Department of General Teacher Training (DGTT) officially inaugurates the Reading Intervention and Science Enrichment (RISE) Project at San Isidro Elementary School (SIES) today, March 13, 2024, as part of its Extension Activities. In a needs assessment the University conducted, it was revealed that only 43% of SIES learners demonstrate adequate reading comprehension skills, leaving 57% struggling with literacy. Furthermore, there is a compelling need for remediation in science literacy among Grades 3-6 pupils. To address these challenges comprehensively, the newly launched Project RISE is geared towards bolstering literacy rates within the partner school while nurturing future community professionals. Collaborating closely with NEMSU Tagbina Campus BSED and BEED students, the project does not only emphasize reading proficiency but also targets improving science literacy among Grades 3-6 pupils, broadening their academic horizons. Dr. Lyoid C. Hunahunan, Department Chair of DGTT, explained the significance of the project's name, stating, "We call it Project RISE because we envision a collective elevation through this initiative." Beyond addressing student reading and science literacy challenges, the project also seeks to uplift the wider community. This initiative extends beyond the university and school realms, involving active participation from parents, who are urged to support their children's academic journey and sign a pledge of commitment. Formalizing this partnership, an official Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between NEMSU Tagbina Campus and San Isidro Elementary School, cementing their collaborative efforts. Ms. Vera Ybañez, Head Teacher III of San Isidro Elementary School, remarked, "We are delighted with this intervention in San Isidro, hopeful that it will effectively address our reading and science literacy challenges." In addition to educational support, NEMSU-TC distributed school supplies to learners from Kinder to Grade 6, provided office essentials for teachers, and conducted a series of discussions on Family Planning and on the Importance of Parental Support in Education. The project is expected to run for 5 years, ensuring sustained impact and progress.

- 📣 Christian Joy Apatan

- 📸 Liezel Mestizo

Exemplifying academic excellence, NEMSU-Tagbina secured the 5th spot nationally in the Licensure Examination for Teachers, boasting an impressive 95.06% passing rate out of 81 examinees in the BSED program making the University as one of the Top Performing Schools in the entire Philippines. Meanwhile, the BEED takers also displayed outstanding performance with 90.20% passing rate which is only two points away from Top 10 performing school. The national passing rate is recorded at 47.01% for BEED and 56.26% for BSED.

Source: PRC Official

Marking a significant achievement, NEMSU Tagbina showcases commendable results in the Agriculturists Licensure Exam. With a notable 50% success rate for first-time takers and an overall performance of 45.83%, the institution surpasses the national passing rate of 34.18%, highlighting its commitment to excellence in agricultural education.

🖋️: Arjun Pelicano