History is Being Written:

KASC and President Bagtang’s Commitment to Universityhood

by MARCIANO A. PAROY JR.

This is not really about the history of the school. For that usual historical treatment, just visit

http://www.kasc.edu.ph/index.php/about-kasc/college-history

This, however, somewhat deviates as one goes deeper into the article, but for starters, the Kalinga-Apayao State College is a tertiary institution in the public domain – one of the State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) maintained by the government, and as such, enjoys a rather leading presence in the province of Kalinga. Accredited with a Level III status in the SUC Leveling, KASC sustains its commitment to satisfactorily comply to the criteria set forth by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for higher education institutions (HEI’s) vying for a University Status.

With a number of curricular programs accredited in various levels by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), the school continues to raise and maintain standards in fulfilling its mandate on Instruction, never losing sight of its main purpose on educating and training young people under an educational atmosphere steeped in competence. The on-going aspiration to hit the maximum level of accreditation for its various curricular offerings clearly reflects responsiveness to educational growth.

The present administration under President Eduardo T. Bagtang can be credited for this fast-tracked upgrading of the State College – facilities and services-wise – in a seemingly unwavering persistence dating back to his first year as President in 2006, and well into the remaining months of this second term.

School history likewise gives significant weight to the accomplishments of Dr. Bagtang’s predecessor, Dr. Venus I. Lammawin, whose two terms as KASC President (1997-2001 and 2001-2005) radically introduced the school to a number of impressive changes, opening the school’s doors for the entry of new opportunities, especially in the areas of Research and Extension, and smartly embracing new trends in education and management – a feat that was astutely replicated by President Bagtang, having previously played a key role as former President Lammawin’s Financial Management Officer, being the College Accountant then – a calculated move for Dr. Lammawin to respond to the rapid shifts in fiscal management and accountability reporting during those years, brought about by the challenge on modernization and transparency.

All those positive mentoring paid off. By the time Dr. Bagtang took over the reins in March 2006 – after a five-month tenure for then-Ifugao State College President Serafin Ngohayon as concurrent OIC-President for KASC while the Search for the new President was being conducted – the school had revitalized its inspiration to tackle development challenges, influenced by the infectious energy left by Dr. Ngohayon.

Dr. Bagtang launched a cautious beginning, and for awhile it may have dawned upon observers that it would be a safe ride with him as President, what with his prior experience as a manager of finances and other resources of the school – somewhat off-tangent with managing people, thus it would be more practical for him to leave everything else to far more seasoned people-managers.

Wrong trending. As quickly as one can flex one’s muscles, Dr. Bagtang changed the development tempo and accelerated everything else – in all areas of the school’s mandates on Instruction, Research, Extension and Production – like plunging into a splashy slide through the rapids.

He made shrewd decisions on naming fellow school leaders; he took risks that eventually proved wise. If the earlier school leaders like Dr. Augustus Alejandrino and Dr. Francisco Baswel laid down the first steps in exploring growth potentials for the school, then Dr. Bagtang re-drew the map of exploration, no longer seeing boundaries in an IT-connected world. He cleverly instituted schemes that raised the commitment level of everyone – employees and students alike, making them co-partners in the development process, thus equally responsible and accountable.

He signed memoranda of agreement, lots of it, with various development agencies, research-funding institutions, NGO’s and private ventures – all funneling down to the benefits and advantages that the school gained at the end of the day.

He named the lanes connecting different parts of the Main campus in Bulanao; he named the buildings; he named new instructors and staff; he named the pioneering administrator and teachers in Rizal Campus; and he even named the Father of Kalinga State University, appropriately conferring it on Congressman Manuel S. Agyao, for his determination to convert KASC into a full-fledged university – the awarding of which will follow Dr. Bagtang’s dedication to hit the bulls’ eye for each remaining conditional criterion – so the Congressman can rest assured that his legislative fight for the universityhood conferment is founded on the merits of KASC’s current development framework.

Eduardo T. Bagtang is a mover. And a shaker. Well into the middle of his first term, observers retreated and buried themselves into their work, content that the kid from his paper-buried corner at the Accounting Section is indeed living up to the promise of a leadership built on one’s desire to develop people who will likewise develop the school. It has been nonstop for him since 2006. Indeed, there has been a leap, and we jumped with him.

The horizon beckons and holds further opportunities. We endeavor to run towards it but it’s not that easy, necessitating the need for a hand to usher us into this new world known as “university.”

That guiding hand may or may not be Dr. Bagtang’s, though there is a tendency to trust someone who has a foot past the door before pulling others in, someone who peeked in advance and primed the way, so-to-speak.

These are conjectures, and are not meant to create divisiveness, because other well-meaning leaders may also hold their own bag of great plans.

Either way, the school stands to gain.