University Extension Office

Historical Background

Extension is a primordial institutional function in State Universities and Colleges (SUC's) along with instruction, research and production. As such, the University Extension Office (UEO) is basically guided by its own charter on its thrust and programs and likewise, it is mandated to deliver services to the community based on its capability and its own resources.

However, this initiative is sometimes hampered because of lack of funds and materials for the timely implementation of the community projects. To resolve such problem, the UEO is continuously formulating project proposals for outside fund sourcing from local government units (LGU's), non-government organizations (NGO's) and foreign development funding agencies.

For several years, the BulSU UEO had experienced positive developments in becoming an active partner with the government in nation-building. On December 8, 1995, it entered into a tripartite agreement with the Local Government Academy / Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Government of Bulacan which led to the creation of the Institute of Local Government Administration (ILGA), an active component of the BulSU UEO. Meantime, the advent of Local Government Code of 1993 paved the way to decentralization and devolution of powers from the National Government down to the local political subdivisions in the Philippines and endowed the Local Government Units (LGU's) with full autonomy. The National Government laid the operational guidelines for the timely implementation of its socio-economic and political reform agenda which served as the foundation of the LGU's in managing their own affairs.

The focus of this program is developmental in nature which gives emphasis on sustainability and accountability issues. Some indicators of good governance are measured in various parameters such as participation, transparency, environment, local economic promotion and investment, hereby ensuring the general welfare of the public.

Some significant and successful joint ventures of BulSU UEO were undertaken in instituting reforms in the LGU's and the communities in terms of local governance and self-reliance.

The BulSU-UEO/ILGA had substantially contributed for the successful implementation of the USAID-funded Governance and Local Democracy (GOLD) Project from 1997-2002.

This project was anchored and implemented in support to the Local Government Code of 1993. Such experience showed and taught BulSU UEO the mechanics of community interventions involving different protocols that needed proper orientation and direction-setting prior to project implementation, monitoring and evaluation before impact evaluation. Other linkages and project proponents continued to seek partners and BulSU has proven a track record of dependability and expertise as major stakeholder in program implementation. Thus, BulSU UEO / ILGA become a member of the Consortium of Centers for Local Governance (CCLG).

On July 2009, the Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) and the following year, on July 2010, the Gender and Development Center (GADC) was launched, both under the ambit of the BulSU UEO Office, making the extension services of BulSU gender balance; upholding and exercising human rights. Recently, just this June 2013, UEO and ILGA were on their own sphere, since the administration formally made them two separate offices, and eventually, GADC was separated from the BulSU UEO in 2014 to operate on its own.

From 2007 up to the present, Kabalikat sa Bagong Anyo ng Buhay (KABANYUHAY) in Action has emerged as a general flagship program of the BulSU UEO together with various academic units of the University as well as local government units, non-governmental organizations and other foreign community engagement partners.

It is in this context that the BulSU UEO has developed a Manual of Operations in order to provide a clear and effective guide for its implementation of all types of adopt a community projects to be executed by BulSU extension workers (e.g. concerned faculty, students, non-teaching personnel, extension coordinators directors and administrators). This BulSU UEO Manual of Operations professionalizes the delivery of extension services to the community and creates a positive development impact to the society in general.