ISU for Sustainability

Embracing SDGs towards Quality Education and Academic Experience in the Countryside

2023 – Reports | SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

CHAMPIONING DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH UNDER SDG 8

Isabela State University (ISU) exemplifies a strong commitment to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), which emphasizes decent work and economic growth. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Aquino, the university has fostered an environment of efficiency, inclusivity, and performance-driven success that benefits both its workforce and institutional operations.

Key Initiatives and Achievements for 2023 that highlight ISU’s adherence to SDG 8
  • Performance-Based Compensation: Through effective financial stewardship and the implementation of austerity measures, ISU achieved substantial savings. This enabled the provision of Collective Negotiation Agreement (CAN) incentives for employees, totaling Php 26.6 million in 2023 and Php 28.7 million in 2022, in alignment with national budgeting policies.
  • Budget Efficiency: The university attained a 99.75% efficiency in budget utilization for 2023, demonstrating its commitment to resource optimization and financial accountability.
  • Opportunities for Employment: ISU created 100 new faculty positions under the Scrap-and-Build Policy and an additional 240 non-teaching staff positions through ROSS Phase 1, ensuring job creation and stability within the institution.
  • Recognition of Excellence: ISU’s supportive work environment inspired its faculty and personnel to pursue national recognition through the Civil Service Commission’s Honor Awards Program. This includes accolades such as the 2023 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for Dr. Orlando Balderama and the 2023 Pagasa Award for Dr. Drolly Claravall.

Key Institutional Measures and Practices at ISU in adherence to SDG 8
  • Employment Practice on Living Wage: The Isabela State University implements the Fourth Tranche of the Modified Salary Schedule for Civilian Personnel by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 11466, also known as Salary Standardization Law of 2019 as evidenced by the National Budget Circular No. 591 dated January 10, 2023. The University grants employees the full package of compensation that includes basic salaries, step increments, standard allowances and benefits, specific-purpose allowances and benefits, and incentives. ISU recognizes and upholds the importance of employee’s local living wage to pay for basic essentials such as food, health care, housing, transportation, and other needs for daily living.
  • Employee Union and Labor Rights: The University supports associations of workers that promote their general welfare, health safety, and the best interest of all its employees. ISU also actively maintains communication with local groups and associations, thereby enhancing cooperation, overcoming adversities, building consensus toward improving the efficiency of work framework and environment, to wit, ISU establishes Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) with the ISU Echague Faculty Association (ISUEFA) and Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
  • Employee Discrimination: This Institution established the Equal Opportunity Policies (EOP) on Learning and Development (L&D) in consonance with the 1987 Constitution under Article XIII which provides that the Congress shall give highest priority to protect and enhance the rights of all to human dignity, reduce inequalities, and remove cultural inequities. ISU also adheres to the provisions of the Administrative Manual (ISU BOR Resolution No. 36 series 2006) on its Merit System for Faculty and Non-Teaching Staff as exhibited on Chapter 4: Personnel Management System and Standards, stipulating that “there shall be no discrimination in the selection and promotion of the employees on account of gender, civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.”
  • Employee Slavery and Forced Labor: The University adopted the Republic Act 10364, otherwise known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 expanding Republic Act No. 9208, titled “an act to institute policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and children, establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons, providing penalties for its violations and for other purposes.” This allows ISU to establish a welcoming and inclusive workplace that values individual’s freedom and personal prerogative to work.
  • Employee Equal Rights to Outsourced Services: The Institution executes a Contract of Agreement when outsourcing services to third party and this include Supply of Security Services and Janitorial Services. The full compliance and adherence to the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) allowed ISU as an implementing agency to be legally grounded with its procurement operations, promote good governance, and adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency, and economy in its procurement process.
  • Employee Pay Scale Equity: The Isabela State University implements the Fourth Tranche of the Modified Salary Schedule for Civilian Personnel pursuant to RA No. 11466 (Salary Standardization Law of 2019). This grants faculty and staff with full compensation packages on the provision of pay scale equity, and warrants pay equity as its institutional method in eliminating gender discrimination when establishing and maintaining wages, upholding inclusive and fair pay for all employees, providing greater transparency, and protecting employees from compensatory disparities.
  • Measure/Track of Pay Scale Gender Equity: The University established a measure in tracking pay scale gender equity in compliance with the Department of Budget and Management Commission on Higher Education Joint Circular No. 1 dated August 30, 2019, providing the Guidelines to Implement Special Provision No.3 of the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) in the Fiscal Year 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA), “Implementation of National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 461.” These served as guiding scheme of compensating employees and implement fair pay policies to prevent discrimination. In addition, the institution implements a policy on employee promotion that applies to everyone regardless of gender. Thus, promotion is based on competence and work efficiency.

SUPPORTING LOCAL PRODUCE THRU ISU’S FARMERS’ MARKET

The Isabela State University (ISU) has launched the ISU Farmers Market in its Echague Campus in April 2023. With the aim to provide local smallholder farmers, the Farmers Market is a platform to directly sell their products to consumers.

ISU, being a state university, has a social responsibility to its clients to help them improve their standard of living in terms of increased income to meet their families’ needs. On the part of ISU community, and other stakeholders, the Farmers Market is a source of cheap, locally and freshly grown, safe and nutritious agricultural products. It also benefits the community as it helps preserve local agriculture and imbibe a sense of community and promote local economic development.

One of the components of the project is organizing a food drive where both perishable and non-perishable food items will be solicited from ISU employees and stakeholders. The donations will be distributed to our indigent students. This would not only combat student hunger but also prevent food wastage.

The ISU Farmers Market is the approved extension project of the College of Agriculture initiated by Prof. Anna Marie M. Bahala as Project Leader, with Mr. Rex Mendoza and Ms. Eva Maeye Sua as Study Leaders. This project will support the attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Through this project, the smallholder farmers will have increased income opportunity, access to new technologies and better economic opportunities; and improved agricultural productivity. It will also combat student hunger and food wastage. Moreover, the consumers will have access to safe and nutritious food.

BRIDGING INNOVATIONS: ISU-SAN MARIANO AND DOST UNVEIL MARKETING CENTER TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY

In a significant move to promote local talent and innovation, Isabela State University-San Mariano Campus proudly introduced its Marketing Center, a physical counterpart to the well-known OneStorePH initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The launch event, highlighted by the signing of a partnership agreement through a Memorandum of Agreement, united key representatives from the University, DOST- Province of Isabela Officials, and the Local Government Unit of San Mariano in solidifying their commitment to the project. The Marketing Center stands as a testament to the university’s unwavering dedication to showcasing and retailing locally crafted products from its students and faculty members. It is one of the two Marketing Center launched by the DOST in the Province to serve as a one stop shop for local produces and innovations, providing science and technology interventions in terms of product promotions.

With the unveiling of the Marketing Center, ISU-San Mariano and DOST have established a vibrant synergy between academia and government initiatives. This hub of innovation and collaboration not only supports local talent but also enhances the community’s shopping experience and encourages continuous learning. As the Marketing Center opens its doors, it invites residents and visitors to explore, support, and be part of this transformative journey toward a more vibrant and interconnected community.