The Department of Information and Communications Technology Regional Operations Office – Luzon Cluster 1 (DICT-LC1) based in Baguio City and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the Department’s La Union Provincial Field Office at the DMMMSU Open University System’s (OUS) compound on November 23, 2021.
Engr. Nestor S. Bongato, DICT-LC1 Regional Director, and Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., DMMMSU President, inked the MOA at the Conference Hall of the DMMMSU OUS in the City of San Fernando, La Union. Mr. Allan Lao, DICT-LC1 Technical Operations Chief, and Dr. Cristita Guerra, OUS Executive Director witnessed the signing.
Also present during the signing ceremony were the staff of DICT-La Union Provincial Field Office led by the Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Elvis Cayabyab, and DMMMSU personnel which include, among others, Engr. Rufo A. Baro, the University MIS Director; Prof. Enrico Dacanay, the OUS MIS Head; Prof. Priscilla Abellera, the OUS Administrative Officer; and Mr. Buenaventura Caluscosin II, the OUS Planning Head.
Dr. Manuel expressed his elation with the five-year agreement and pointed out the prospect of a DMMMSU-wide improved internet connectivity that can better the conduct of synchronous learning as a parallel platform of instructional delivery given the probability of resuming face-to-face classes on a limited scale starting next year.
In his speech, Engr. Bongato emphasized the mutual benefits generated by the MOA for both DICT and DMMMSU; the former is spared from rental of office space and the latter from added internet subscription as the bandwidth will be shared from the former. The University, he added, will also benefit directly from the upcoming fiber optics installation in the Ilocos Region as the cables will run through the lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) passing near DMMMSU’s campuses.
Under the MOA, the use of two rooms at the 3rd floor of the OUS Academic Building by the DICT La Union Provincial Field Office is approved by DMMMSU. On the other hand, DICT-LC1 commits to support the University in its thrust of providing quality education in this information technology-driven academic new normal. Specifically, DICT-LC1 obliges itself to include the OUS in its Government Network (GovNet) dedicated bandwidth and identify DMMMSU, including all its operating units, as beneficiaries of DICT projects such as cable landing station, research and training grants/programs, scholarship programs, and internship programs.
The MOA takes effect for five years upon signing and is renewable thereafter at the option of the University. (Farland Valera)