The Human Resources Development Office (HRDO) trained selected UPLB personnel on hospitality operations at the Obdulia F. Sison Hall on December 10-11, 2024.
The training, courtesy of the Office of the Chancellor, was held in partnership with the Department of Humanities of the College of Arts and Sciences (DHUM-CAS), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Provincial Training Center of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food of the College of Human Ecology (CHE-IHNF).
The training aimed to equip front desk staff, household attendants, utility workers, and supervisors of various UPLB offices and units with foundational knowledge in hospitality operations. It focused on front desk services, facility cleaning and maintenance, and basic food safety and service.
The first day featured lectures on effective communication and guest relations, delivered by Mark Joseph B. Cancino, a certified human resources professional and lecturer at DHUM-CAS. Cancino emphasized the importance of engaging in communication in client interactions.
The lectures were followed by a session led by Concepcion T. Obcena, senior technical education and skills development specialist at TESDA CALABARZON, who discussed housekeeping services and maintenance of different industrial work equipment.
The second day featured hands-on training facilitated by TESDA trainers Christian D. Dacoron and Esau G. Gabriel, who guided participants in operating, cleaning, and maintaining industrial equipment and performing housekeeping tasks.
In the afternoon, resource speakers from IHNF, CHE, including Associate Dean Marie Faye Nguyen-Orca and her co-faculty members Von Ryan M. Ebron, Deborah Christine A. De Leon, Kristine Mae N. Esparas, Diana C. Agcaoili, and Reynaldo Magpantay Jr., gave demonstrations on food safety and service techniques.
Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. graced the event, underscoring the university’s commitment to upskilling employees through sustainable training initiatives.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining UPLB’s resources and facilities, stating: “Sayang ‘yung ating mga bagong facilities pag hindi natin namaintain. Ang mahal-mahal ng mga facilities—mga buildings, opisina, kung ano-anong pinagkakagastusan natin—pero walang maintenance. Kaya kahit sa panahon ngayon na lahat ay computerized, patungkol sa artificial intelligence, wala pa ring tatalo sa kahusayan ng tao, lalo na sa pagmamaintain ng equipment. Tayo ‘yun.”
Chancellor Camacho also highlighted how the training could unlock new opportunities for participants, as they become eligible to take TESDA certification exams.“Kung papangarapin ninyong pumunta ng abroad o lumipat sa ibang opisina sa pribado dahil natutunan ninyo ang mga skills na ito, mas okay din sa amin kasi we have contributed to your growth. Nag-contribute kami sa inyong improvement at wala kaming problema doon. Pangarapin ninyo na we continue to develop ourselves, improve ourselves. Mas maganda ang pakiramdam na we keep growing and improving,” he said.
(If you consider going abroad or transferring to the private sector after learning these skills, it will be alright. What is important is that we have contributed to your growth and your improvement. Dream of continuous development because the feeling of continuous growth and improvement is a beautiful one.)
The UPLB-TESDA partnership signifies the university’s dedication to professional development and lifelong learning, empowering employees to excel in their roles and explore broader opportunities.
It also aligns with UPLB’s broader future-proofing initiatives, ensuring its workforce adapts to evolving demands while supporting sustainable development goals, prioritizing resource efficiency and long-term institutional resilience. (Yra E. Bautista)
