Treñas: Scholars one of wisest investments of city
Like a father experiencing the first graduation rites in the family, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas proudly revealed that the first batch of city employee scholars who enrolled in the Ateneo Professionals Schools – School of Government will be having their commencement exercises this coming Friday, May 23rd at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.
"I have always been supportive of employee development. Scholarship programs are a significant way of improving the individual and bringing the standards of public service to a notch higher. This is a wise investment for the city," Treñas said.
The graduates, who accomplished a master's degree in public management (MPM), come from the various departments of the city government.
The scholarship program, which costs an estimated P100,000 per student, began in August 2006 and offers a 39-unit course for government officials and employees with the hope of effecting change which may lead to more effective and efficient ways of dealing with the government's prime clientele, the public.
Courses offered include power, ethics and accountability; leadership in the public sector; applied economics; social change and development; operations management; public finance and budgeting; operations management; and an integrative course that contain the capstone of the MPM degree, the making of a governance paper.
The graduates are Marly Bayoneta and Virgie Gemal from the city population office; Francis Cruz and Consuelo Geduspan from the mayor's office; Armand Dicen of city tourism; Vice-mayor Jed Mabilog, Councilors Ely Estante and Armand Parcon from the city council; Rhodora Katipunan of the planning office; Wennifredo Lagura and Catalina Sanico from barangay secretariat; Joie Pijuan and Joy Ann Toledo from budget; Neil Ravena from engineer's; Barnard Rendaje of agriculturist's; Mille Tan from legal; Brummel John from City ENRO; Virgilio Tonogbanua from the treasurer's and Salome Pisueña from general services office.
Meanwhile, the city also has an on-going scholarship program at the West Visayas State University for a master's degree in public governance. The 36-unit program has 23 employees presently enrolled. (PIO)