Romblon State University (RSU) successfully conducted the ETEEAP Faculty Tutors’ Capacity Building Training on Instructional Delivery, Curriculum Development, and Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBE) from May 18 to 20, 2026, at the University Hostel, gathering selected RSUvian faculty tutors from various ETEEAP programs across the University.
The three-day training aimed to equip faculty tutors with the competencies, instructional strategies, and academic frameworks necessary to effectively deliver the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), a program designed to recognize the professional experiences and prior learning of working individuals seeking higher education credentials.
The opening day focused on institutional policies, faculty roles, and academic frameworks essential to the implementation of ETEEAP. Discussions began with Dr. Maria Ching A. Sayang, Director of the Palawan State University ETEEAP, who tackled the qualifications and requirements of ETEEAP faculty tutors. This was followed by a series of lectures from Prof. Jonathan U. Florida, Director of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) ETEEAP, on the roles and responsibilities of faculty tutors and research advisers, as well as andragogy and flexible learning strategies for adult learners.
Further enriching the discussions, Dr. Merigen S. Cafino, CHEDRO Supervising Education Program Specialist, introduced heutagogy as a learner-centered and self-determined approach to teaching, emphasizing adaptability and lifelong learning among adult students.
On the second day, participants immersed themselves in sessions centered on curriculum development and assessment practices. Dr. Maria Ching A. Sayang led discussions on course outline and syllabus development tailored for ETEEAP learners. Meanwhile, Dr. Kevien C. Dela Cruz, Director of the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) ETEEAP, facilitated workshops on instructional material development, assessment design, rubric creation, and the integration of enrichment and bridging programs. Faculty tutors also participated in presentations and collaborative workshops designed to enhance practical application of the concepts discussed.
The final day highlighted the presentation, validation, and standardization of faculty outputs to ensure quality and consistency in instructional delivery across ETEEAP programs. Dr. Gina V. Mapalad, Campus Director of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, facilitated the synthesis and provided guidance for the succeeding activities.
Additional discussions included teaching load, class scheduling, compensation, grading systems, and academic policies, led by Dr. Maria Ching A. Sayang and Dr. Marla Ching A. Sayang. The resource speakers also facilitated the consolidation and standardization of outputs developed throughout the training.
During the closing program, Ms. Ma. Angela S. Eval, Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy, gave inspirational commitment from the Faculty Tutor, inspiring participants to embrace their responsibility as transformative educators and mentors to adult learners.
Dr. Merigen S. Cafino synthesized the key learnings from the three-day activity, emphasizing the importance of responsive, compassionate, and learner-centered instruction in the ETEEAP framework.
In her message, Dr. Emelyn F. Montoya, Vice President for Academic Affairs, reminded the faculty tutors of their vital role in advancing the University’s mission through quality service and meaningful instruction.
“Magiging frontline tayo [faculty tutors] ng Romblon State University when it comes to this one [ETEEAP]. So, we have to serve our clients well in this program to improve not only Romblon State University, but also our community and our country, and to make them productive citizens of our nation,” she emphasized.
Delivering the President’s Charge, University President Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani highlighted the deeper purpose of education and mentorship within the ETEEAP community.
“Hindi tayo nandito para bigyan sila ng grades. You are not tutors, assessors, or mentors, but life coaches. You will help them realize that their value is worth more than what they can see, that they have greater value. Your goal is to realign those scattered pieces of priorities and belief in themselves,” President Mani shared.
She further inspired participants with a message centered on purposeful service and transformative education.
“Why are we doing this? Because, again, we have limited time to serve. We only have one given time to live a meaningful life, and life could be more meaningful if we give meaning to other souls.”
In response to the President’s Charge, Mr. Nicky C. Cardenas expressed the faculty tutors’ commitment to uphold compassionate, learner-centered, and transformative education through the ETEEAP program.
The training concluded with strengthened commitment among RSU faculty tutors to uphold excellence, empathy, and learner-centered education in implementing the University’s ETEEAP programs, further reinforcing RSU’s dedication to accessible, inclusive, and transformative higher education.
The opening day focused on institutional policies, faculty roles, and academic frameworks essential to the implementation of ETEEAP. Discussions began with Dr. Maria Ching A. Sayang, Director of the Palawan State University ETEEAP, who tackled the qualifications and requirements of ETEEAP faculty tutors. This was followed by a series of lectures from Prof. Jonathan U. Florida, Director of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) ETEEAP, on the roles and responsibilities of faculty tutors and research advisers, as well as andragogy and flexible learning strategies for adult learners.
Further enriching the discussions, Dr. Merigen S. Cafino, CHEDRO Supervising Education Program Specialist, introduced heutagogy as a learner-centered and self-determined approach to teaching, emphasizing adaptability and lifelong learning among adult students.
On the second day, participants immersed themselves in sessions centered on curriculum development and assessment practices. Dr. Maria Ching A. Sayang led discussions on course outline and syllabus development tailored for ETEEAP learners. Meanwhile, Dr. Kevien C. Dela Cruz, Director of the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) ETEEAP, facilitated workshops on instructional material development, assessment design, rubric creation, and the integration of enrichment and bridging programs. Faculty tutors also participated in presentations and collaborative workshops designed to enhance practical application of the concepts discussed.
The final day highlighted the presentation, validation, and standardization of faculty outputs to ensure quality and consistency in instructional delivery across ETEEAP programs. Dr. Gina V. Mapalad, Campus Director of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, facilitated the synthesis and provided guidance for the succeeding activities.
Additional discussions included teaching load, class scheduling, compensation, grading systems, and academic policies, led by Dr. Maria Ching A. Sayang and Dr. Marla Ching A. Sayang. The resource speakers also facilitated the consolidation and standardization of outputs developed throughout the training.
During the closing program, Ms. Ma. Angela S. Eval, Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy, gave inspirational commitment from the Faculty Tutor, inspiring participants to embrace their responsibility as transformative educators and mentors to adult learners.
Dr. Merigen S. Cafino synthesized the key learnings from the three-day activity, emphasizing the importance of responsive, compassionate, and learner-centered instruction in the ETEEAP framework.
In her message, Dr. Emelyn F. Montoya, Vice President for Academic Affairs, reminded the faculty tutors of their vital role in advancing the University’s mission through quality service and meaningful instruction.
“Magiging frontline tayo [faculty tutors] ng Romblon State University when it comes to this one [ETEEAP]. So, we have to serve our clients well in this program to improve not only Romblon State University, but also our community and our country, and to make them productive citizens of our nation,” she emphasized.
Delivering the President’s Charge, University President Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani highlighted the deeper purpose of education and mentorship within the ETEEAP community.
“Hindi tayo nandito para bigyan sila ng grades. You are not tutors, assessors, or mentors, but life coaches. You will help them realize that their value is worth more than what they can see, that they have greater value. Your goal is to realign those scattered pieces of priorities and belief in themselves,” President Mani shared.
She further inspired participants with a message centered on purposeful service and transformative education.
“Why are we doing this? Because, again, we have limited time to serve. We only have one given time to live a meaningful life, and life could be more meaningful if we give meaning to other souls.”
In response to the President’s Charge, Mr. Nicky C. Cardenas expressed the faculty tutors’ commitment to uphold compassionate, learner-centered, and transformative education through the ETEEAP program.
The training concluded with strengthened commitment among RSU faculty tutors to uphold excellence, empathy, and learner-centered education in implementing the University’s ETEEAP programs, further reinforcing RSU’s dedication to accessible, inclusive, and transformative higher education.
