As part of its efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability and institutional excellence, Partido State University (ParSU) engaged in a Benchmarking Activity with the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Pili, Camarines Sur, on June 23, 2026, in preparation for its ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) Certification and Philippine Quality Award (PQA) initiatives.

The activity provided ParSU officials with insights into CBSUA's experiences and best practices in environmental management and quality assurance, which will supplement the university's EMS implementation, ensure compliance with Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) requirements, and enhance its readiness for quality recognition.

The ParSU delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Melinda A. Parro-Pan, Vice President for Academic Affairs and ISO Chairperson, and Ms. Rose Lynnor A. Matos, Quality Assurance Director, reflecting the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in driving continuous improvement.

The benchmarking activity featured discussions on key areas essential to ParSU's sustainability and quality journey, such as CBSUA's practices on EMS documentation and implementation by Ms. Christine Allen Riza N. Boncodin, Assistant Director for Local and National Quality Assurance and ISO Vice Chairperson, and ECC requirements and EMS compliance obligations by Pollution Control Officers Ms. Rhea Catalina P. Padayao and Engr. Sheryl P. Miradora, who provided practical guidance on environmental management and regulatory compliance.

ParSU also gained insights into institutional resilience and campus development through the presentations of Dr. Phillip N. Talay, Director of the CBSUA Resilience Center, and Mr. Teofisto L. Arreglo Jr., Administrative Officer III, who highlighted initiatives and best practices that contribute to a resilient, safe, and sustainable campus environment. Completing the learning sessions, Dr. Rolando P. Oloteo, Program Chairperson of CAS-GED, discussed the PQA framework and its role in advancing organizational performance.

To conclude, the open forum provided participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas, raise concerns, and explore strategies adaptable to ParSU's context. The exchange of best practices was further amplified through visits to CBSUA's key facilities and offices, allowing the delegation to observe the systems and initiatives that support CBSUA's environmental management and quality assurance initiatives.

By learning from institutions with established environmental and quality management systems, ParSU continues to drive its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement for a more efficient public service delivery.

Five graduating scholars from the Partido State University (ParSU) College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences were recognized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) during the Fisheries Scholarship Program Awarding Ceremony on June 13, highlighting their academic achievement and perseverance as they completed their academic journey.

The recognized scholars were Jenely N. Abarquez, Remar B. Barrios, Vergel Strouther S. Bilaro, Jessa Ann P. Bolagot, Cum Laude, and Christopher N. Custodio.

The recognition highlighted the transformative role of scholarship programs in helping students overcome financial barriers and complete their education. As they earn their degrees, the scholars stand ready to contribute their knowledge and skills to advancing sustainable fisheries, food security, and community development.

In his message, University President Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo highlighted the larger mission of the scholars and ParSU’s continued support for student success and development of fisheries education. “When you become fisheries professionals, may you choose work that uplifts the fisheries sector, not only here in Partido, but also in the Bicol Region and in the Philippines as a whole. May you become professionals who serve with competence, integrity, and compassion,” he added.

BFAR Regional Director Ariel U. Pioquinto graced the ceremony, represented by Ms. Rowena Briones, the BFAR Scholarship Program Coordinator, joined by ParSU President Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo, the Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael A. Clores, the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Dean Dr. Jonel M. Corral, and BS Fisheries Department Chair Jasper R. Nieves, who expressed their support for the scholars and the continued development of future fisheries professionals.

The awarding ceremony served as a testament to the power of education and strategic partnerships in shaping future fisheries professionals committed to serving their communities and the nation's fisheries sector.

Partido State University (ParSU) continues to reinforce its culture of quality and excellence by strengthening the competencies of its internal auditors through the Training on Effective Internal Quality Audit (IQA) Reporting, held on June 16–17, 2026, at the University's RDE Training Hall.

Organized by the University's Quality Assurance Office, the two-day training was designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of ParSU's internal auditors in preparing objective, accurate, evidence-based, and value-adding audit reports aligned with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. The activity emphasized the critical role of effective audit reporting in evaluating the conformity, effectiveness, and continual improvement of the University's Quality Management System (QMS), enabling management to make informed decisions and implement appropriate corrective and improvement actions.

More than ensuring compliance with quality management requirements, the activity seeks to cultivate a shared commitment to quality across the University. In his message, OIC- Vice President for External Operations and Institutional Development Engr. Kier Gasga underscored the importance of making quality a daily practice rather than a periodic requirement.

“More than preparing us for an external audit, I hope this training will help us strengthen a culture where quality is practiced every day not only when auditors are present, not only when documents are being checked, and not only when an external audit is approaching,” Gasga said.

ISO Consultant Engr. Helen Alian-Evalle serves as the resource speaker, providing participants with practical guidance on audit planning, evidence gathering, objective reporting, and documentation of audit findings — key components in ensuring the effectiveness of the University's quality management processes.

The activity also provides participants with hands-on learning opportunities through workshops, discussions, and audit reporting exercises designed to strengthen their competence in evaluating compliance and identifying areas for organizational improvement.

By investing in the continuous development of its internal auditors, ParSU reaffirms its commitment to upholding international quality standards, promoting accountability and transparency, and fostering a culture of continual improvement in the delivery of quality education and public service. 

𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵: 𝘔𝘩𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢 (𝘊𝘗𝘙𝘖 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯)

From a curious geology student to the country's 2026 top environmental planner, Teodorico Mariano Collano, Jr.'s journey reflects the power of education, purpose, and service in shaping a future dedicated to people and the environment.

For many, topping a national licensure examination represents the culmination of years of hard work and academic excellence. For Teodorico Mariano Collano, Jr., however, the achievement carries a deeper meaning—one that extends far beyond personal recognition.

The Partido State University (ParSU) Bachelor of Science in Geology alumnus from the Class of 2018 recently ranked 1st in the May 2026 Environmental Planners Computer-Based Licensure Examination, earning an outstanding rating of 90.35 percent. While the distinction marks a significant personal and professional milestone, Collano sees it as part of a larger mission: advancing sustainable development, promoting community well-being, and helping build a future where both people and the environment can thrive.

Planting the Seeds

Long before he became one of the country's top environmental planners, Collano was a curious student determined to understand the forces that shape the world around him. At ParSU, he discovered a learning environment that challenged him to think critically, engage with communities, and develop the character needed to navigate complex real-world issues.

"My time at ParSU taught me patience, forbearance, tolerance, critical thinking, and many more skills, traits, and abilities that launched me to success in my attempt to enter the environmental planning profession," he shared.

 For Collano, these lessons proved just as important as technical knowledge. Environmental planning, he explained, requires more than scientific expertise. It demands the ability to balance environmental sustainability, public welfare, and long-term development while working with diverse communities and stakeholders.

 "These traits are necessary because environmental planning is interdisciplinary, policy-determining, and emotionally taxing since it deals mainly with people and how they live with society," he added.

 At ParSU, education extended beyond lectures and textbooks. Through fieldwork, research engagements, and community-based learning experiences, Collano gained a deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness between natural systems and human lives—an understanding that would later become central to his profession.

 Every field activity and academic engagement reinforced a valuable lesson: that environmental challenges cannot be understood solely through science. They must also be viewed through the lens of communities, livelihoods, and human experiences.

 These experiences broadened his perspective and strengthened his commitment to using knowledge in the service of society.

 Environmental planning is often associated with land-use maps, policies, and technical reports. For Collano, however, it begins with understanding the Earth itself and the people whose lives depend on it.

 That perspective was cultivated during his years as a geology student.

"My education and training at ParSU prepared me for environmental planning with the knowledge and skills imparted to me by my former mentors on how the Earth moves, how the planet's dynamism shapes lives and ecosystems, and how living and non-living things interact with each other," he recalled.

 Guided by dedicated faculty mentors and immersed in field-based learning, he learned to connect scientific concepts with their practical implications. His studies exposed him to disciplines that would later become vital to his work as an environmental planner, including geographic information systems, climate science, disaster risk reduction, and environmental management.

 "At ParSU, I had the first opportunity to learn formally and deeply about mapping, geographic information systems, climate science, disasters, environmental pollution, and many more environmental concepts." These experiences not only strengthened his technical foundation but also deepened his commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Growing Through Service 

After graduating from ParSU in 2018, Collano began his professional career as an Instructor I in the BS Geology Program at ParSU. He then embarked on a professional journey that would further sharpen his understanding of planning and governance. His work in local government, particularly in the planning and development sector of the Local Government Unit of Presentacion beginning in 2021, provided him with firsthand experience in addressing community needs through evidence-based decision-making.

Working closely with local communities and development initiatives allowed him to see how sound planning can directly influence quality of life, environmental protection, and long-term resilience. The experience also revealed the growing importance of environmental planning in building sustainable communities.

 Recognizing the need to further develop his expertise, he pursued Environmental Planning studies at the University of the Philippines Open University, building on the knowledge, values, and perspectives he had first acquired at ParSU.

 "I viewed environmental planning as the logical path for career progression in local government, especially in planning. More importantly, it aligns with my desire to protect the environment and ensure the equitable sharing of resources among people and other living things," he explained.

Yet beyond career advancement, his motivation remained deeply rooted in service.

 By combining his background in geology with environmental planning, Collano contributes to addressing pressing concerns such as land-use management, disaster preparedness, climate change adaptation, natural resource management, and sustainable development.

"Our love for the environment should never dwindle. That is why I pursued entering a profession that mainly seeks to protect the environment and to share equitably resources among people and other living things," he said.

 His journey reflects a value that Partido State University continually seeks to instill in its students: the belief that education should not only produce competent professionals but also responsible citizens committed to serving communities and protecting the environment.

Reaching New Heights

 Years of study, public service, and professional growth eventually culminated in a historic achievement.

 When the results of the May 2026 Environmental Planners Computer-Based Licensure Examination were released, Collano emerged as the country's top examinee. For him, however,  the accomplishment signifies more than academic excellence.

 "As a human being, it means that I did something extraordinary, something that can make me proud for the rest of my life," he reflected. "As a professional, this success grants me moral and intellectual ascendancy in helping lead environmental planners in changing our communities and our country for the better, developing systems that respond to pressing societal and environmental issues, and preserving balance among ecosystems so that sustainable development may be achieved for present and future generations."

 Beyond the title and recognition, Collano considers the achievement a shared success with the people and institutions that helped shape his journey. "I am now convinced that it made countless people proud, particularly those who matter to me the most."

 His achievement reflects not only years of personal dedication but also the collective influence of mentors, colleagues, family members, and educational institutions that supported him every step of the way.

As he reflects on this milestone, Collano hopes his story will inspire future generations of ParSU students to pursue excellence while remaining grounded in service, integrity, and environmental responsibility.

 "I hope my achievement will inspire future generations of ParSU students to strive to make the best version of themselves, to harness their untapped potentials, to seek nicer things in life, to serve other people no matter who they may be, to empower the powerless, and to defend the environment from harm."

 To students who are still discovering their paths, he offers a simple yet powerful reminder:

"Continue dreaming and never surrender in finding ways for your dreams to come to fruition. Building robust support systems must be non-negotiable."

Bearing Fruit

 Today, as the nation's top environmental planner for 2026, Teodorico Mariano Collano, Jr. stands as a testament to perseverance, lifelong learning, and the transformative power of education.

 For every student walking the halls of ParSU today, his journey serves as a reminder that excellence is built one lesson, one challenge, and one opportunity at a time and that the foundations laid within the University can open doors to extraordinary possibilities.

 More importantly, his success demonstrates that true achievement is measured not only by ranks and recognition but by the impact one creates in the service of communities, the environment, and future generations.