Things to be Thankful For

Life is full of twists and turns, thus it is mysterious. One cannot fathom its depth nor master its course. There are times that we feel so desperate if we could not get the things we are aiming for. Others then would say, it's the fate that claims it. This may lead us to comparing ourselves with others, yet we all know that each one of us is unique in different ways. Though we cannot avoid the ups and downs of our lives, one thing is certain: God is there for us and there are lots of things to be thankful for. Some of them are our daily routine but we were not able to appreciate them.

A friend reminded me of them through her text message sent and I would like to share them with you. These are:

• God, who is always there unconditionally;
• the alarm that goes off early in the morning, it means you are still alive;
• for the weary and aching muscles at the end of the day, it means you are capable of working hard;
• for the clothes that fit a little snug, it means you have enough to eat;
• for the mess to clean after a party, it means that you have friends that surround you;
• for the windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, it means you have a home;
• for the taxes you pay, it means you have work.

So, what do you say?

NIPSCFEDFA officers meet at NIPSC Ajuy Campus

The officers of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College Federation of Faculty Associations at NIPSC held one of their regular meeting as NIPSC Ajuy Campus, Ajuy, Iloilo on December 12, 2008. Present during the meeting were: Prof. Lebni Bernardino, president; Prof. Cynthia Zerrudo, vice president; Mrs. Aurora Priscilla Magbanua, secretary/treasurer; and Prof. Jeremias Gabion, Mr. Jimmy Palmaira, Prof. Gilda Deguma, Prof. Esan Paguntalan, Prof. Luzvilla Tibubos, Prof. Jimmy Arellado, Engr. Arnaldo Demegillo, Board of Directors.

Important matters for the welfare of the faculty members of the NIPSC system were discussed and approved during the said meeting.

NIPSC Prexy signs CNA

Dr. Joel P. Limson, NIPSC President, signed the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) between the administration and the employees on November 26, 2008. Representing the employees of the NIPSC System were Prof. Jeremias Gabion, president, NIPSC Employees Association (NIPSCEA); Prof. Lebni Bernardino, president of the NIPSC Federation of Faculty Association and Member, NIPSC Board of Trustees, Prof. Vicente Pastor and Prof. Ruel Ferrer, board of directors NIPSCEA. The employees were then given PRAISE Incentive bonus of P20,000.00 each.

Present during the signing were the Campus Administrators of the NIPSC System:

• Dr. Hemogene Guanco, NIPSC Barotac Viejo Campus
• Dr. Magelia Cubar, NIPSC Ajuy Campus
• Mrs. Tessie Masongsong, NIPSC Lemery Campus
• Miss Merlie Plantig, NIPSC Victorino Salcedo Sara Campus
• Mr. Juan Longno, NIPSC Concepcion Campus
• Mr. Ricardo Ayupan, NIPSC Batad Campus

NIPSC holds Faculty and Staff Day

The Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) held its Faculty and Staff Day on September 25, 2008 at the NIPSC Covered Gym. The program started at 8 o'clock in the morning which was attended by the faculty and staff of the College. Prof. Jeremias Gabion, President of the NIPSC Employees Association (NIPSCEA) made the opening remarks followed by a message from Dr. Joel P. Limson, College President. The NIPSCEA and the NIPSC Cooperative officers for the school year 2008-2009 took their oath of office under Dr. Limson. Another highlight of the said event was the oath of office of the 31 faculty members who were promoted to a higher position. Prof. Ruel Ferrer, Chairman of the NIPSC Cooperative gave the closing remarks.

After the program Prof. Erwin Caton led the group to a dance aerobics which was participated in by the faculty and staff, where the Best in Aerobics Attire awards were given to Mrs. Noemi Borja, College librarian; Mrs. Aileen Tan, College nurse; and Mrs. Vilma Malata, faculty member, who also won the Best in Performance (female category). For the male category, the Best in Performance award was given to Mr. Rene Gariando, faculty member. It was followed by the Search for the Videoke Grand Champion which was bagged by Prof. Butch I. Alindog.

A raffle draw, aside from the PSLINK aid to typhoon Frank victims, was also held wherein prizes such as grocery items and kitchen wares were given. The said activity was also attended by the NIPSC President Emeritus Dr. Wenceslao O. Sison, Jr. and it ended late in the afternoon.

PSLINK extends aids to Frank victims at NIPSC

The Public Services labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) has extended aid to its members at the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) Estancia, Iloilo through the National Secretary General Annie Geron. It was August 23, 2008 when Geron and the Regional Executive Officers (REO) visited the Jalandoni National High School, Iloilo City and distributed the aid to its affiliates when they discovered that Estancia was more affected due to the strong winds and rainfall during the devastation of typhoon Frank on June 21-22, 2008.

The aid extended by PSLINK to NIPSC Estancia members were 80 mosquito nets and mats out of the 200 intended to be given to its affiliates in the Iloilo Province. These were given to the members in a raffle draw during the Faculty and Staff Day on September 25, 2008 which was a part of the 3-day foundation celebration of the said College.

Prof. Jeremias Gabion, FANIPSCE Board of Director and PSLINK REO said that the total PSLINK members at NIPSC are 154 as to this date.

Workers' Prayer

Creator of all mankind, we offer You this day all our works,
our hopes and sorrows.
Give us and all the workers of the world the grace to work as You did
So that everything we do may benefit our fellowmen.
Let all Your blessings come into all offices, farms, factories,
and into our homes.
Give us this day our daily bread, may we receive it
without envy or injustice.
May those of us who, today, may be in danger of sin
remain in Your grace,
and may those who died in labor's field of honor rest in peace.
teach us to be generous, to serve You
as You deserve to be served.
To give without counting the cost, to fight without minding the words,
to work as our right and duty.
Lord, we thank You for giving us the opportunity to gather here.
With Your guidance and blessing, we are optimistic
that our goals and objectives will be achieved.
Grant us unity, peace, resolve, and prosperity
so that we can effectively serve our clientele.
Let Responsible Public Sector Unionism be the workers' commitment
To a Strong, Accountable, Comprehensive, Effective, and Democratic
(SACRED) Public Services.
This we ask of You, our Creator, God Almighty. Amen.

FANIPSCE approves resolutions

To emphasize their commitment to service, the elected Officers and Board of Directors of the Faculty Association of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, Estancia for SY 2007-2009 had approved Resolutions aimed toward strengthening and improving the welfare of the faculty members as employees of the College. Among the Resolutions approved were:

• Resolution No. 1, s. 2008. Resolution requesting the College President to furnish the Association with a copy of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) remittances; Resolution requesting the GSIS to furnish the Association with a copy of the print-outs of the GSIS remittances; and Resolution requesting the State Auditor of the College to furnish the Association with a copy of the annual report showing GSIS remittances.
• Resolution No. 2, s. 2008. Resolution to deduct P120.00 for PSLINK (January-June 2008); P50.00 for NIPSCFEDFA membership in the month of July and P100.00 for the transfer of Engr. Rodney Agregado for the month of August, and starting then, the monthly dues of FANIPSCE and PSLINK will be deducted monthly from the salary of the members.
• Resolution No. 3, s. 2008. Resolution to grant Economic Relief Allowance (ERA) to NIPSC employees.
• Resolution No.4, s. 2008. Resolution to suport the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College Employees Association (NIPSCEA) in urging the College President to sign the Collective Negotiating Agreement (CNA).
• Resolution No. 5, s. 2008. Resolution requesting the four Associations: FANIPSCE, NIPSCEA, FAPSCU and NIPSC Community to share in the expenses for the completion of the Office.

More Resolutions are expected to be made and approved as soon as the FANIPSCE Officers and Board of Directors hold their meeting.