The first UP Diliman (UPD) Building Administrators Forum (BAs Forum) recently had a successful launch, marked by a significant turnout at the Balay Kalinaw.
“As BAs, you all play a critical role in maintaining not just the physical spaces that we occupy daily, but also the safety, comfort, and productivity of our students, faculty, REPS, and staff. Through your diligent oversight and monitoring of daily maintenance tasks, as well as your swift resolution of minor repairs, you ensure that our working environment remains conducive to learning and collaboration,” Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II addressed the participants.
“Ang lahat ng trabaho natin ay may tatlong aspeto. May legal aspect po ang ating trabaho. Kaya iyong mga galaw natin, mga action natin, ay mayroon talagang pinagbabasehan. May technical aspect din po. Kaya ito nga iyong work-forum natin para maintindihan ninyo hindi lang po iyan pag-aayos ng ating mga lugar, mayroon din po iyang tugma na connection doon sa entire operation ng University. At ang pangatlo po, iyong operational aspect,” said Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Raquel B. Florendo.
The BAs Forum was organized by the UPD Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) to strengthen the role of building administrators in ensuring efficient facilities management, facilitate the exchange of ideas and solutions to common operational challenges, and encourage proactive measures for building maintenance and sustainability.
“We need this forum because UPD has more than 260 buildings, where about 75 are already 50 years old and above. It is our aim in OVCPD that all the BAs are in the same page regarding building administration,” Florendo said.
Four lectures were conducted at the forum held on Jan. 22, facilitated by UP Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management Joseph Gerard T. Reyes, UPD Utilities Management Team-PABX Team Head Alden Jose U. Aynera, UPD College of Engineering (COE) Associate Dean for Administration Menandro S. Berana, and Florendo.
Reyes discussed the roles and responsibilities of BAs in facilities management; Aynera oriented the attendees on energy conservation and optimization; Berana co-facilitated a workshop addressing the concerns of BAs, such as challenges they face while on duty; and Florendo explained the operational aspects related to janitorial agencies compliance. These agencies are the University’s partners in maintaining buildings.
In a related development, the OVCPD conducted a forum for UPD contractors on Jan. 20 at the Balay Kalinaw. More than 100 contractors attended the forum, which aimed to forge a harmonious working relationship with the University partner contractors.
Five sessions were conducted at the forum: Compliance in the Procurement Process facilitated by UP Procurement Office Director Flor L. Ofilada; Ensuring Compliance Every Step of the Way (Pre-Construction, Implementation, and Completion Phase) by UPD Office of the Campus Architect (OCA) Director Ringer T. Manalang, and OCA Project Management Team Leaders Reuben Edward Soliman and Guillermo Zabanal; Contract Compliance (Suspension, Resumption, Extension, Variation, Termination, etc.) by UPD University Legal Counsel Percival U. Cortez; Billing Process and Compliance Standards (Fund Sourcing, Payment Claim Process, and Department of Budget and Management Payment Process) by UPD Budget Office Director Antonio M. Becoñado Jr. and UPD Accounting Office Director Cecilia J. Morales; and Working with the University: Key Administrative Procedures for Contractors by Enrico B. Tabafunda, OCA assistant to the director on administrative concerns.