Background History

Extension is a primordial institutional function in State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) along with   instruction, research and production. As such, the University Extension Office (UEO) is basically guided by its own charter on its thrusts and programs and likewise, it is mandated to deliver services to the community based on its capability and its own resources.   

However, this initiative is sometimes hampered because of lack of funds and materials   for   the   timely   implementation of the community projects. To resolve such problem, the UEO is continuously formulating project proposals for outside fund sourcing from local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and foreign development funding agencies. 

When Dr. Modesta G. Lugos was appointed Vice President for Planning and Development and likewise Director of ESO and ILGA from 1991-2001 by Dr. Rosario Pimentel who was then the BulSU University President, the Extension Service Office (ESO) had experienced positive developments in becoming an active partner with the government in nation-building.  On December 8, 1995, it entered into a tripartite agreement with the Local Government Academy / Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Government of Bulacan which led to the creation of the Institute of Local Government and Administration (ILGA), an active component of the BulSU ESO.  

Meantime, the advent of   Local   Government   Code   of 1993 paved the way to decentralization and devolution of powers from the National Government down to the local political subdivisions in the Philippines and endowed the Local Government Units (LGU’s) with full autonomy.   The   National Government laid the operational guidelines for the timely implementation of its socio-economic and political reform agenda which served as the foundation of the LGU’s in managing their own affairs.   

The focus of this program is developmental in nature which gives emphasis on sustainability and   accountability issues.  Some indicators of good governance are   measured   in various parameters such as transparency and participation in environmental protection, local economic promotion and investment, hereby ensuring the general welfare of the   public.   

Some significant and successful joint ventures of BulSU ESO were undertaken in instituting reforms in the LGU’s for positive transformation of the communities in terms of local governance and self-reliance. 

The BulSU-ESO/ILGA had substantially contributed for the successful implementation of the USAID-funded Governance and Local Democracy (GOLD) Project from 1997-2001. This project was anchored and implemented in support to the Local Government Code of 1993. Such experience showed and taught BulSU ESO the mechanics of community interventions involving different protocols that needed proper orientation and direction-setting prior to project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation before impact evaluation. Thus, BulSU ESO/ILGA become a member of the Consortium of Centers for Local Governance (CCLG). 

From 2001-2003, Dr. Antonio L. Del Rosario was appointed Director of Institute of Local Government and Administration and at the same time Director of Extension Service Office. During his term of office, he continued to establish more linkages for the Gold Project which BulSU had proven a track record of dependability and expertise as major stakeholder in program implementation. 

During the term of office of Dr. Restetita V. Francisco as Director of ESO and Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) from 2003 to 2013, important events occurred. As lead agencies of the University tasked to carry its extension function, the Institute of Local Government and Administration (ILGA) and Extension Service Office had reached to the larger community to conduct human capability enhancement trainings in collaboration with local government units and development oriented organizations. ILGA and the Extension Office actively promoted activities that strengthen the democratic processes of people’s participation in civic and local government affairs, develop leadership skills of local government executives, and effective facilitation of community development projects. On July 2009, the Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) and the following year, on July 2010, the Gender and Development Center (GADC) was launched, both under the ambit of the BulSU ESO, making the extension services of BulSU gender balance; upholding and exercising human rights. Recently, just this June 2013, ESO and   ILGA were   on their own sphere since the administration   formally   made   them two separate offices, and eventually, GADC was separated from the BulSU ESO in 2014 to operate on its own. In 2007, Kalinga sa Bagong Anyo ng Buhay (KABANYUHAY) had emerged as a general flagship program of the BulSU ESO. 

When Dr. Francisco filed her leave of absence for personal reason from 2012 to 2013 during the time of Dr. Mariano C. De Jesus as BulSU University President, Ms. Amelita P. Santos was designated Officer-in-Charge until such time that she was designated Director of Extension Service Office from 2013 to 2016.  With her strong commitment and dedication to service, Ms. Santos continued to offer Kalinga sa Bagong Anyo ng Buhay (KABANYUHAY) as a general flagship program of the BulSU-ESO together with various academic units of the University as well as local government units, non-governmental organizations and other foreign community engagement partners for the benefits of the marginalized sectors in the province of Bulacan. 

In 2016, Ms. Santos had filed a letter of resignation for health reason to the Office of the newly-installed University President, Dr. Cecilia N. Gascon. To fill-out such vacancy, Dr. Victor C. Ramos was designated Director of the Extension Service Office on May 10, 2016. In 2017, such office was renamed into University Extension Office. As part of Dr. Ramos’ contributions to community development undertakings, he introduced the usage of expertise alliance system approach; engaging all powerhouse of experts from various academic units of the University to work together to come up with complete package of expert services designed in the formulation of research-based extension project developmental plan for people’s socio-economic growth in nation-building. Moreover, Dr. Ramos has crafted different modalities in community development exploration which shall be discussed in this UEO Manual of Operations. 

It is in this context that the BulSU UEO has developed a Manual of Operations in order to provide a clear and effective guide for its implementation of all types of adopt a community projects to be executed by BulSU extension workers (e.g. concerned faculty, students, non-teaching personnel, extension coordinators, directors and administrators). Likewise, this BulSU UEO Manual of Operations professionalizes the delivery of extension services to the   community and creates a positive development impact to the society in general.