The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) conducted the Town Hall Meeting on Research-related Activities last April 2, 2025 at the CFOS AV Hall, UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo. This was attended by project leaders and research staff from various projects being implemented by the university as well as representatives from the key administrative offices–the Accounting Office, Cash Office, Budget Office, Supply and Property Services Office (SPSO), Human Resource and Development Office (HRDO), OVCRE and UPV REB (Research Ethics Board). 

In his opening remarks, Chancellor Clement C. Camposano said the town hall meeting was a perfect mechanism for increasing research efficiency. He highlighted that an entire ecosystem supports research projects, and it is important to make things efficient and streamlined when it comes to research-related transactions and processes. 

The town hall meeting commenced with the presentation of the Accounting Office, represented by Ms. Diadem Grace T. Encia and Accounting Office chief, Ms. Eleanor M. Ravena. They discussed the following topics: cash advance and its documentary requirements, fundamental principles of PD 1445, general requirement for all types of disbursements, and PS (Personnel Services) & MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses) disbursements and their documentary requirements. 

Ms. Arlene N. Avanceña, Budget Office chief, discussed the roles of their office in the transactions related to research. The Cash Office was represented by their chief, Ms. Maureen Kaye C. Ongo. She presented some research-related issues and concerns in the Cash Office as well as the payment schemes and payment instructions for research projects. Mr. Kimar D. Gargarita and Ms. Julie Ann H. Cala-or from the SPSO presented the procurement processes of UPV research, public service and extension programs. 

During the afternoon session, Mr. Hilario G. Gavan III from the OVCRE presented all the services of the office. He also included the specific processes along with the requirements needed for each transaction. HRDO chief, Ms. Ella O. Tidon, presented the role of the HRDO in the conduct of research most especially for UPV employees (faculty and staff) who are involved. To cap, Asst. Prof. Lhumen A. Tejano, UPV Research Ethics Board chairperson, discussed the importance of conducting research projects ethically, especially involving human participants.

After the presentations, an open forum was conducted during the morning and afternoon sessions. Questions were raised by the attendees, and these were responded to by the representatives of the key offices accordingly. This also provided a venue for discussion among researchers and key administrative offices to express their insights and suggestions for the existing processes and transactions. 

The activity ended with a high note with VCRE Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap’s message in which she expressed her gratitude especially to the key administrative offices of the university as well as to the researchers who attended the activity. This event was not only beneficial to the researchers, but to the entire ecosystem of research in the university–-streamlining the delivery of services and efficiently implementing research transactions in every office.