(Ma. Czarine Jill Acosta-Olais & Butt Qasim S. Khalid)
Graduate school is not just about earning units for promotion or gaining a title; it is a journey of professional and personal growth. Learning extends beyond the four corners of the classroom, offering opportunities to witness real-life scenarios and engage in hands-on activities. While many of us already practice public administration in our respective offices, it is equally enriching and fun to visit other agencies and learn from their experiences.
Last year, the Master in Public Administration (MPA) students of Baguio Central University (BCU), led by Dr. Ma. Remedios Laroco, initiated their very first off-campus activity. The objective was to familiarize students with the essential and indispensable functions of a chosen agency. The first visit was to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Region 1 office in San Fernando City, La Union. This successful event marked the beginning of a meaningful tradition.
Inspired by last year’s activity, the MPA class for Academic Year 2024- 2025 planned another institutional visit to broaden students’ knowledge. The decision to visit PAGASA Baguio Synoptic Station came spontaneously during a class discussion. It was suggested to start with an institution led by one of the MPA students. Since it was the rainy season, visiting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) seemed ideal. Engineer Hilario G. Esperanza, a student from MPA 103 and the head of PAGASA Baguio Field Office, graciously agreed to host and arrange the visit.
Through the collective efforts of the class presidents and secretaries — MPA 207: Sir Ralph B. Altiyen and Ma’am Marie Junette B. Siti, MPA 208: Sir Jessie B. Ramos and Ma’am Aileen D. Ambros, MPA 209: Ma’am Lourdes K. Fasongit and Ma’am Jocelyn L. Agaloos, and MPA 103: Sir John Michael Balasbas and Ma’am Crismeriam A. Culop — and with the unwavering support of the Dean of Graduate School, Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang, and MPA professors Dr. Ma. Remedios O. Laroco and Dr. Jose R. Balcanao, the visit was successfully coordinated.
On November 23, 2024, the off-campus activity took place at PAGASA Baguio Synoptic Station with the theme “Exploring PAGASA: A Guided Tour.” The event aimed to provide practical exposure to the essential services offered by PAGASA, deepening the students’ understanding of its role in public administration and disaster risk management.
The activity began at 3:00 PM with a picnic-style registration and snacks at the scenic PAGASA grounds. This relaxed setup allowed 2 participants to appreciate the tranquil environment and foster camaraderie before delving into the academic program.
The formal program commenced with an energetic introduction by the moderator, Ma’am Aileen D. Ambros, followed by warm welcome remarks from Dr. Ma. Remedios O. Laroco, who emphasized the importance of experiential learning. She highlighted that visits like these allow students to go beyond classroom discussions and experience the realities of public service.
Engineer Hilario G. Esperanza provided an overview of PAGASA’s mandate and services, stressing its vital role in weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate monitoring. The highlight of the event was an interactive presentation and facility tour led by Engineer Mar Josef M. Santos, a weather observer. He walked the students through PAGASA’s vision and mission and demonstrated the processes involved in weather forecasting.
The hands-on session included observing temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, and cloud conditions, along with an explanation of how data is gathered and analyzed. The
facility tour allowed students to see weather instruments up close, fostering admiration for PAGASA’s efficiency and its life-saving work. But we didn’t just see weather instruments that day; we saw the efficient institution behind the warnings that save lives.
The program concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, where students actively engaged with the speakers to deepen their understanding. Then, Dr. Jose R. Balcanao delivered the closing remarks, thanking PAGASA and everyone involved in making the activity possible. He encouraged the next batch of MPA students to continue this valuable tradition of institutional visits.
After that, certificates and tokens of appreciation were then presented to our resource speakers and professors by our class presidents followed by a group photo opportunity with the PAGASA team and our professors. The photo captured the moment, serving as a keepsake of the memorable day.
Though the program lasted only three hours, it was packed with valuable insights and meaningful interactions. The evening ended with dinner and reflections, strengthening bonds among peers and mentors. This off-campus activity was not only informative but also inspiring. It underscored the critical intersection of science, governance, and public service—a testament to the relevance of MPA studies in real-world applications. The visit to PAGASA Baguio Synoptic Station left us with a deeper appreciation of its indispensable role in society and reminded us of the profound responsibility of public administrators to support science-based governance.
