The Security and Safety Office (SSO) in partnership with Upsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest student fraternity organization in the University of the Philippines, proudly unveiled the fifth and sixth installations of the UPLB READY BATINGAW at the Makiling Residence Hall (MAREHA) and the Department of Social Sciences (DSS) of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) on September 7, 2024.

The project was made possible through the generous support of Roel Z. Castro, chair of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, and Zoilo “Jong” Belano, Jr., faculty member at the CAS-DSS.

The unveiling was attended by Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno, and Security Officer Rizal Huelgas who represented SSO Director Eric Paul D. Peralta.

Former chancellors, Dr. Ruben Villareal and Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr., were also present, alongside Dr. Reynaldo Villareal, UPLB Legal Office Chief Atty. Jorge Davide, Jr., and members of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity.

In his speech, Chancellor Camacho commended SSO Special Police Assistant Chief Jonathan D. Maliwat who developed the BATINGAW project concept. He encouraged other staff to do the same as a return service to the university.

Response messages were given by Dr. Marc Immanuel Isip, director of the Office of Student Housing, and James Roldan Reyes, a faculty member and associate dean of CAS.

Isip and Reyes represented the units that were to receive the 5^th and 6^th BATINGAW units. Both expressed profound gratitude to the project’s key supporters and highlighted its role in bolstering emergency response capabilities in their respective areas.

The BATINGAW project reflects the university’s proactive approach to ensuring the safety and resilience of its campus. The installation of the BATINGAW units will better equip MAREHA and DSS-CAS to respond to emergencies. (Kristine Bernadette T. Matalog)