A favorable Monday morning weather beaconed a warm welcome to Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr., as the seventh president of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) during the flag-raising ceremony on November 13, 2023, at the USeP Obrero Campus, Davao City.
Dr. Gabales addressed the members of the USeP community about what he envisions to be accomplished during his term as the University President. He vowed to continually and fully implement the approved and installed Strategic Plan laid down by the previous leadership of the University, particularly the immediate past president, Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao.
“We are very much thankful to our previous leaders for laying down the foundation for everyone to follow, implement, and maybe innovating some strategies to successfully implement those plans, programs, and targets in our deliverables in the next three or four years,” he said.
Dr. Gabales also promised to be transparent in his leadership- implementing open communication between the administration and the stakeholders of the University. “With your participation and full support, I know we can do this. Because honestly, I cannot do this alone. That’s why we need to do our share for the University. Our students are our primary stakeholders, our customers, and we need you to tell us where we can improve on any areas or processes or when our programs need improvement.”
Moreover, he rallied the community’s support to give the administration a chance. “I cannot promise that in one month I can do all those things I mentioned in the public forum, but I know, one step at a time, starting with doing our role as a student, as faculty, as non-teaching personnel, as alumni- putting this all together, I think we can move on. We will grow as a mature University.”
“Today is very special as this is the first flag-raising in my tenure; we are raising not just our flag but also our dreams and aspirations- for our future and the vision of the University of Southeastern Philippines,” he said.
University President Dr. Gabales is set to make rounds to all USeP campuses in the next few weeks to address the constituency of the University.