University of Baguio Reaffirms Commitment to CSO Empowerment and Sustainable Development During CivicAdemy Launch
“…be an agent of change in empowering our civil society organizations”
The Research Innovation Extension and Community Outreach (RIECO) Office and the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) demonstrated strong institutional engagement during the Official Launching of the CivicAdemy Program held on November 26, 2025, at Plaza Lodge Hotel, Southdrive, Baguio City. As one of the Local Resource Institutions (LRIs) partnering with DILG–CAR, UB’s participation highlighted its commitment to strengthening civil society organizations (CSOs) in alignment with global development priorities, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UB’s representatives were Dr. Donnavila Marie Panday-Herbster (RIECO Director), Ms. Michelle Ann Chomayag (RIECO Staff), Ms. Marianne Basoyang (Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Program Chair), and Ms. Jenny Agtani (STELA Faculty Member), all of whom had completed the intensive Training of Trainers prior to the launch. Their active participation reflects UB’s long-standing commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by ensuring that its academic and community-based training programs remain accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all learners.
During the launch, the CivicAdemy Program was presented as a transformative movement toward empowering communities. Assistant Regional Director Ruperto B. Maribbay Jr. described CivicAdemy as “a call for Bagong Bayan,” a vision that resonates deeply with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which emphasizes transparent, accountable, and participatory governance. A CSO representative further reinforced this message with the reminder: “To succeed is to have a successor; otherwise you are a failure.” This powerful reflection mirrors the aspirations of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), highlighting the importance of sustainability, leadership development, and shared responsibility in community advancement.
UB’s message of commitment, delivered by Dr. Herbster, aligned strongly with these ideals. She affirmed, “The University of Baguio, through its Research Innovation Extension and Community Outreach Office, commits to be an agent of change in empowering our civil society organizations.” This pledge reinforces UB’s efforts to help CSOs strengthen their capacities in values formation, soft skills, technical competencies, and foundational governance, directly supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by fostering informed, engaged, and participatory local sectors.
Central to UB’s involvement is its institutional framework, UB SERVES, which guides the university in integrating education, leadership, service, and sustainable development. The framework embodies UB’s mission in the following ways:
- Supports communities by walking with them in uplifting lives and nurturing potential.
- Engages with local governments, agencies, and partner organizations to co-create evidence-based solutions.
- Responds compassionately in times of crisis.
- Volunteers through a strong culture of service among faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
- Educates communities through capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and lifelong learning.
- Sustains programs designed for long-term social and environmental impact.
With renewed commitment and strengthened resolve, UB looks forward to expanding its role in the CivicAdemy rollout and applying the tools gained to support its adopted communities in Baguio City and Benguet. As Dr. Herbster emphasized, “Amid challenges brought by societal uncertainties and governance issues, UB stands firm in its mission and says ‘Enough’—enough to disempowerment, enough to exclusion, and enough to governance structures that leave communities unheard.” The University of Baguio remains steadfast in its role as an academic institution that learns, leads, and serves. Through continued collaboration, community engagement, and capacity-building initiatives, UB reaffirms its commitment to shaping empowered citizens and building stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable communities.
