EXECUTIVE CORNER | Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) restructures its institutional divisions for the academic year 2022-2023. It aims to provide the highest academic standard and render efficient and effective services to all its clients.

The restructuring initiates promotions and reemployment of former officials, the creation of new divisions, and the expansion and collaboration of existing offices. Get acquainted with them as NCF features the new organizational structure here in Executive Corner.

Eyeing for the prominence of the College of Engineering; 𝗡𝗖𝗙 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲

Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) President Mario C. Villanueva appointed Engr. Monsito G. Ilarde, PhD. as the new dean of the College of Engineering following the resignation of Engr. Geronimo Buenavente due to the latter’s appointment as Education Supervisor II of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Region V.

Dr. Ilarde commenced his deanship on May 1, 2022, committed to enhancing quality education, faculty profile, and the college facilities.

Structural Foundation

Dr. Ilarde finished his degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the University of Nueva Caceres in 1975. As NCF trusted his prowess in mathematics education, a year after he graduated, he was hired to teach in High School Department and eventually at the College of Criminology and College of Commerce as well.

Fired up with his dedication to pursuing excellence in his craft, he completed his master’s degree in Applied Mathematics at the Ateneo de Manila University through the two-year scholarship of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) which he applied for and was endorsed by then NCF President, Dr. Melchor T. Villanueva, in 1979.

In 1985, he fulfilled his dream of earning his degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Nueva Caceres and passed the board examination for civil engineers thereafter. However, his plan of teaching at the college of engineering was marked by doubt. As a result, he tried to test the waters of the corporate-engineering industry— sealing contracts for infrastructure projects.

The academic sector called him anew. Despite seizing major contracts in the corporate-engineering industry, he greenlighted the offer of the president of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) – Nabua to transfer to the government service— ending his career at NCF and in the corporate-engineering industry in 1987.

“My 12 years in NCF was a stepping stone. I will not reach this far if I did not experience life at NCF,” Dr. Ilarde said when asked about his experience at NCF.

“My experience as a teacher sharpened my abilities in teaching… I learned so much from the founder (Dr. Melchor T. Villanueva)— his vision for NCF was an eye-opener for me to achieve my dreams,” he added.

Presidential Seal Collection

The life of Dr. Ilarde from 1987 until 2016 was not a roller-coaster ride, but a literal academic tour.

Dr. Ilarde closed his career at NCF and in the corporate-engineering industry as he accepted the job offered to him by the president of CSPC-Nabua in April 1987. Surprised by the fact that CSPC-Nabua, back then, was still in the process of development, he accepted the offer of being the Dean of the College of Engineering and College Engineer at the same time.

With his commitment to bringing forth immediate and inclusive growth, he spearheaded the planning and the development of the three-hectare land, as well as establishing linkages with US Navy Retirees to help CSPC-Nabua establish their campus.

As CSPC-Nabua continue to develop along with his growing contribution to the academe, Dr. Ilarde assumed various positions over time. He was designated as the Director of Instruction and became a Planning and Development Officer until he reached the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

With his concrete plan to maximize the potential of CSPC-Nabua, he applied for the presidency, was appointed in 2002, and served until 2011.

His presidential appointment in CSPC-Nabua also applied to the CSPC-Naga (the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology now). As stipulated in the Republic Act No. 8760, on the integration of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Supervised Institution (CSIs) to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), the Bicol College of Arts and Trades (BCAT) was formerly integrated with the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) in Nabua, Camarines Sur.

At the CSPC-Naga, he established the financial efficiency of the school by stimulating prudence in terms of expenses which saved 40 million pesos at the end of the year, while maintaining quality services and education.

In 2012, the presidential post of the Camarines Norte State College was open for application. Dr. Ilarde applied and was picked by the board to take the position afterward. His presidency focused on making CNSC campus conducive to learning. Thus, despite the absence of allocation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for infrastructure, Dr. Ilarde initiated projects to generate revenue intended for the construction of buildings and laboratories for the learners.

After four years, he did not pursue another presidential term and opted to retire at age 65.

“I always do what I think is required,” Dr. Ilarde uttered when asked about his presidential stints in three state colleges.

“My accomplishments may be covered by new ones but the point is, I started it all,” he added.

The trust that never dies

After 35 years of not having any connection, the tiger spirit is reunited again with Dr. Ilarde as he accepted the deanship offered by President Mario C. Villanueva. Despite his hesitation to accept due to his personal and professional uncertainties— if he can still manage to do what is expected of him as the Dean of Engineering— Dr. Ilarde welcomed the offer as he saw President Villanueva as “visionary and very encouraging” and perceived immense potential of making NCF even more triumphant.

According to Dr. Ilarde, his deanship will primarily focus on quality education, faculty profile, and college facilities. In order to attain the objectives for each aspect, his first move was the crafting of a five-strategic plan that involved school administrators, faculty and staff, students, and parents.

The College of Engineering is in the process of bringing the college to greater heights by reaching a higher level of achievement in board examinations. The process includes monitoring the application, review, and examination performances of the graduates, as well as establishing linkages with the review center for possible tie-up and linkages.

Dr. Ilarde is now working on the continuous faculty development program— providing opportunities for the faculty members of the college to enroll in graduate studies for their personal and professional growth, which he considered as an “individual commitment.”

Furthermore, he is expecting the influx of research productivity of the engineering students and faculty members this academic year that target innovations and breakthroughs in their respective disciplines and will serve as bases for curriculum and instruction enhancement.

Dr. Ilarde also unveiled that part of the five-year strategic planning includes preparation of the NCF in opening new courses such as Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Architecture. The preparation covers the formulation of the proposals, compliance of NCF to the pertinent issuances of the government, and the establishment of educational resources related to the courses.

“I believe that the attainment of all of those plans will make the College of Engineering a prominent one. Our target is to make a name and make a difference,” Dr. Ilarde declared.

“My stay in NCF in this period will make difference for NCF, most especially in the college of engineering,” he added.

2022 relighted the connection between Dr. Ilarde and his first home, which proved that the trust in him of NCF in leading the college of engineering has the same intensity of trust that NCF gave him in 1976 when he was trusted to teach in the high school department.