To enhance and further solidify the working relations between state universities and colleges (SUCs) of the BIDANI Network Program, two staffers of BIDANI-UPLB visited Isabela State University and Central Luzon State University on April 23-24, 2018.
BIDANI Network Coordinator for SUCs Pamela Gonzales and Barangay Integrated Development Approach (BIDA) Coordinator Arnold Abuyog spearheaded the visit to ISU and CLSU, located in Echague, Isabela and the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, respectively.
BIDANI-UPLB serves as the national coordinator of the Network Program.
Gonzales and Abuyog met with the BIDANI ISU Core Team, composed of Dr. Pedrita Medrano, Dr. Mila Andres, Mr. Nick Aquino, and Ms. Johnna Umipig-Padua. The meeting was held to discuss the plans to revive BIDANI in the university. The ISU Core Team ffirmed that they will continue the implementation of BIDANI as one of their university’s extension programs. This affirmation was ratified through a Memorandum of Agreement between UPLB and ISU, duly signed by the UPLB Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. and ISU President Ricmar Aquino.
CLSU was visited to discuss updates on BIDANI at CLSU, followed by a visit to two barangays, and a quick refresher meeting with the Science City of Muñoz City Technical Action Committee (CTAC). Brgy. Cabisuculan, a catchment model barangay under the leadership of Brgy. Captain Jerry Fulgencio and his Program Planning and Implementing Committee (PPIC), is appreciative of how BIDANI-CLSU was able to assist them in their development plans, barangay database, and most importantly, in improving the nutritional status of their malnourished children. This was made possible by the convergence of extension programs and technologies of CLSU brought by BIDANI to the Barangay.
A non-catchment barangay eager to implement the Barangay Management Information System (BMIS) – Brgy. Bantug, under the leadership of Brgy. Capt. Eric Santiago – was visited to hear how the software was able to help them in the implementation of their programs and projects. The CTAC maintains its support in the implementation of the BIDANI strategy in their municipality.
Almost all of the barangays in the Science City of Muñoz use the BMIS to generate accurate data and other information being asked by other agencies and LGUs.
ISU and CLSU are part of the seven key regional SUCs that initially implemented BIDANI as a network program in 1984.
– Pamela Gonzales and Arnold Abuyog