24/04/2026
๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฃ ๐ง๐ ๐ ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ณ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
Access begins at the front desk, but at the University of Southeastern Philippines TagumโMabini Campus (USeP TMC) it begins with intention. In a landmark initiative to advance inclusive service delivery, the campus underscores its commitment to equity and accessibility as foundational principles of higher education.
The Human Resource Management TMC, in collaboration with the Bachelor of Special Needs Education program, launched Day 1 of the โBridging Access: Frontline Office Training Series for Serving Deaf Studentsโ on April 22, 2026, at the Science Building Conference Room.
Campus officials and delivery unit representatives attended the initiative, including Vice Chancellor Cesar A. Limbaga Jr., representing Chancellor Shirley S. Villanueva; Administrative Services Head Ms. Sharmie H. Cuarte; HRMOโTMC Head Ms. April Dee T. Espinosa; Campus Registrar Ms. Maria Leah P. Bangalao; and frontline personnel from various delivery units.
Delivering the Chancellorโs message, Dr. Limbaga underscored a central principle: inclusion. He emphasized that equal access to education extends beyond classrooms and encompasses everyday services that shape student experiencesโparticularly for Deaf students who may encounter communication barriers. โAs frontline personnel, you are the first point of contact,โ he said, stressing that empathy, awareness, and responsiveness are as vital as technical skills.
The session began with an engaging icebreaker before transitioning into a focused learning segment led by Ms. Ariane Ray O. Garcia, faculty member of the Bachelor of Special Needs Education program at the College of Teacher Education and Technology. She introduced the basics of sign language and explained respectful, accurate terminology, equipping participants with practical tools for meaningful interactions with Deaf clients.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted from theory to practice. Officers of the Organization of Future Special Education Teachers, led by Governor Dowy Faith Cuesta, together with officers and Deaf students from the BSNEd program, facilitated hands-on activities. Participants learned the manual alphabet and practiced sign names, transforming awareness into action and building confidence through direct engagement.
This initiative advances Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 by fostering inclusive and equitable access to learning, and supports SDG 10 by addressing communication barriers in institutional services. By equipping frontline staff with inclusive skills, the University cultivates a campus environment where every student feels recognized, heard, and supported.
More than a training program, this effort signals a cultural shift toward an environment where inclusion is actively practiced, not merely discussed. As the series continues, USeP places its people at the center of change, transforming everyday interactions into opportunities for dignity, respect, and belonging. Access is not an afterthoughtโit is a commitment embodied in every conversation.