The Polytechnic University of the

Philippines (PUP) Board of Regents, the

university’s highest decision-making

body, elected Dr. Manuel “Bong” Muhi

as PUP’s 13th president in a special

meeting held at the Commission on

Higher Education (CHED) office in

Diliman, Quezon City on February 7,

2020.

Muhi, who served as Vice President for

Academic Affairs, replaced PUP

President Emmanuel de Guzman who

has just completed his two consecutive

terms that spanned for eight years. 

Muhi also served as chairperson of PUP’s Department of Civil Engineering from 1996 to 2004, dean of the College of Engineering from 2006 to 2012. He then became the university’s Vice President for Research, Extension, Planning, and Development from 2012 to 2015, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs since December 2015.

Muhi's vision includes making PUP the National Polytechnic University. He summarized his goals for the university during the public forum in a 10-pillar agenda that hopes to empower academic and administrative leaders, pattern responsive and innovative curricula and instruction, and create a productive environment through the provision of state-of-the-art facilities, as well as the enhancement of the university’s learning management system.

Muhi bested four other candidates for PUP’s presidency: Theresita Atienza, National Defense College of the Philippine’s VP for Academic Affairs; Dean Rufo Bueza, PUP Lopez’s Branch Director; Divina Pasumbal, PUP College of Communication Dean, and Junithesmer Rosales, PUP College of Education Dean.

As part of the university’s virtual celebration of its 116th Foundation Day last October, President Manuel Muhi highlighted Sintang Paaralan’s accomplishments and milestones under his presidency in his first Ulat-Talumpati.

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“Pamantasang Una ang Pagmamalasakit”

Before the pandemic strike, PUP has led efforts in assisting those affected by the Taal Volcano phreatic explosion last January 2020. More than 2,000 individuals were assisted by the system-wide support directed towards PUP campuses in Alfonso, Maragondon, and Sto. Tomas in Batangas and Cavite which were greatly affected by the disaster. 

Taking to heart its mandate for public service, PUP Ragay in Camarines Sur Branch organized Operation Sumpay-Buhay Laban COVID-19 Relief Distribution to support 475 families, while PUP Sablayan - Occidental Mindoro Branch launched its “Adopt-a-Scholar” project ably assisting 21 barangays and several groups of indigenous people.

PUP’s Institute for Science and Technology Research (ISTR) developed a local version of ethyl alcohol following a shortage in the market in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and shared it with Barangay 634, different hospitals in Metro Manila, and Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8.

In March 2020, PUP distributed relief packs to students stranded in their dorms amid the implementation of a lockdown measure in Luzon to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The relief packs contained canned goods, rice, and other food donated by officials, faculty, and employees of the university.

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“Pamantasang Umiiral ang Paglilingkod”

To ensure that quality education would still be delivered to its constituent, the university came up with a new learning strategy this academic year as a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through the form of Flexible Technology-Enhanced Learning (FLEXTEL) comprised of both online and correspondence modes; synchronous and asynchronous mechanisms for learning. 

The flexibility of the current system of learning meets the varying demands of students and faculty members, particularly those burdened with issues on access to the internet and gadgets.

Through the help of donations of different federations and groups, PUP gathered pocket WIFIs, sim cards, and tablets that they give to the students of PUP.

The president also shared that, together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), free Wi-Fi access would be installed across the whole PUP system.  

Also, the Online Student Support Services Action Center (OSSSAC) was launched to continue providing frontline services to students.

“Ang totoo sino ba sa atin ang makakahula na magsisimula sa aking pagka-pangulo ang pagharap sa krisis na ito. Ngunit tulad ninyo tinanggap ko itong hamon at tulad ng isang PUPian, anak ng sintang paaralan at pangunahing namumuno sa ngayon sa pamantasang dakila naninindigan akong magtatagumpay tayo pagkatapos ng pandemya. Naniniwala ako na lubos tayong kikinang katulad ng isang tunay na ginto,” Muhi said.

Towards the end of his speech, President Muhi appealed for continued cooperation and support amid the challenges faced by the university. 

“Sa panahong ito ng pandemya, we have to work hand-in-hand. There is no perfect system, lalo na ngayong panahong ito. But, I am encouraging everyone to have a longer patience when it comes to our tasks, responsibilities, and transactions. Kailangan po nating magkaisa, magtulungan at magbayanihan para patuloy na maging maayos ang ating Sintang Paaralan. Hinihiling ko po ang kooperasyon ng lahat para maisakatuparan natin ang ating mga plano para sa ikabubuti ng lahat,” he added.