Learning to Serve Better: UP CAMP Personnel Reflect on the 2026 NTP Summit
“Keep learning and accept feedback, to become a better public servant.”
This phrase captures a central lesson from the 2026 UP Manila Non-Teaching Personnel (NTP) Summit, held on September 23–24, 2026, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Administrative personnel and Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) from the University of the Philippines College of Allied Medical Professions (UP CAMP) joined colleagues across UP Manila for two days of learning and dialogue. Discussions explored leadership, integrity, administrative processes, resilience, digital skills, inclusion, purpose, and well-being. Participants’ reflections connected these topics with a shared responsibility: continuously improving how they work and serve others.
Taking ownership and staying teachable
The first-day plenary, “Empowering Administrative Leadership for a Future-Ready University,” emphasized how administrative services shape the learner experience and support academic excellence. It reinforced the essential contribution of non-teaching personnel to the University’s mission.
Sessions on administrative quality, appreciative leadership, and strengths-based performance encouraged participants to recognize their capabilities and take ownership of their work.
CAMP Administrative Officer (AO) Rizza D. Florentino reflected on how flexibility, adaptability, multitasking, and time management support her coordination of administrative services. Linking these strengths with timely reports and responsive operations helped her recognize their contribution to institutional success.
For REPS Alma V. Labro, quality meant being proactive, accountable, and attentive to the purpose behind each responsibility:
“I will shift from simply completing tasks because they are required to taking ownership of my work because I understand its value, purpose, and impact.”
She connected this commitment with “Giting → Galing → Ambag”: courage to take responsibility, competence developed through continuous improvement, and meaningful contributions to the College and University.
CAMP head librarian Marlene B. Patron highlighted appreciative leadership as an approach that empowers personnel through individual strengths, personal connections, clear goals, and integrity.
The session on legal accountability, administrative integrity, and the UP mandate reinforced due process, ethical conduct, and the principle that public office is a public trust. CAMP SRE Ailleen Regaspi connected these responsibilities with humility:
“Stay teachable and recognize that there may be better ways of doing things.”
Her call to keep learning and accept feedback became a reminder that competence must be accompanied by openness to change.
Improving processes and supporting people
The dialogue on strengthening collaboration between leadership and administration allowed participants to discuss operational challenges and recommendations.
Labro emphasized remaining resourceful, flexible, and open to alternative approaches within government rules and University policies. Florentino identified additional manpower, progress toward paperless transactions, and updated requirements checklists as priorities. Patron noted procurement as a recurring challenge across offices.
The dialogue on benchmarking academic and research processes further placed institutional practices under review, while “Strengthening the ‘Heart’: Enhancing Staff Well-being” emphasized appropriate tools, relevant training, and meaningful support. Together, these portions connected better processes with the development and well-being of the people carrying them out.
Responding thoughtfully to challenges
The second-day plenary on ethics and public service values emphasized professionalism, accountability, and respect in everyday interactions. Admin Aide Vanessa Joy D. Cosio recalled the question “Para kanino ka pumapasok?” as an invitation to reconnect daily work with service to the nation. Furthermore, Van valued practical strategies for pausing, regulating emotions, acknowledging another perspective, and agreeing on a constructive next step as takeaways from the session on“Thriving Through Challenges: Resilience and Conflict Management,”
Lindsay Paulino shared an honest realization from the CALM activity:
“For me, CALM was the most difficult because when my emotions are high, it is challenging for me to pause and control my initial reaction.”
Jonald D. Karingal likewise found the Resilience RESET—Recognize, Exhale, Separate, Evaluate, and Take Action—helpful for developing patience and responding respectfully. Their reflections showed how recognizing personal difficulties can identify concrete opportunities for growth.
Learning to use technology responsibly
The first-day session on administrative honor in the age of AI and the second-day digital skills session connected efficiency with privacy, verification, and accountability.
Len Regaspi thinks she can explore the use of AI applications for correspondence and reports, while Van Cosio and Sai Paulino emphasized checking outputs and distinguishing credible sources.
Dianne C. Catam-isan reflected on protecting sensitive information and verifying both AI-generated content and online posts:
“At the end of the day, I should have the final say and be responsible for the work I produce.”
Jofel R. Macul highlighted file organization, cybersecurity, and responsible information management while Dianalyn N. Villamor emphasized retaining human judgment, creativity, and accountability when using digital tools.
Listening, respecting differences, and finding purpose
The session on gender sensitivity, safe spaces, and effective communication encouraged thoughtful interactions. Yana Catam-isan emphasized listening to understand people, while Ruth Gail T. Caasi highlighted breaking gender stereotypes, respecting everyone’s abilities, and accepting suggestions and mistakes. Jofel Macul connected workplace harmony with fairness and empathy. Sir Eddie G. Ferrer reflected:
“Nagsisimula ang respeto sa kung paano natin tinatrato ang ating kapwa.”
For Zaira Joie A. Salcedo, “Bawat isa, mahalaga” was a memorable message. She also emphasized clarity, context, and confirmation in instructions.
In “Valuing One’s Role in the Office: Purpose and Ownership,” Mariel A. Bantillo appreciated connecting with colleagues around a shared purpose while Diane Villamor emphasized that every employee’s contribution helps the institution achieve its goals.
The financial wellness session addressed another aspect of well-being. Ferrer highlighted budgeting, prioritizing savings, and building an emergency fund.
Across these experiences, CAMP personnel identified practical ways to serve better: take ownership, listen carefully, verify information, support colleagues, and reflect on areas for improvement. Keeping these lessons alive in everyday work requires the same commitment expressed throughout the Summit, keep learning, remain teachable, and accept feedback.
UP CAMP was represented at the two-day Summit by 18 personnel. Attending on September 23 were Rizza D. Florentino, Alma V. Labro, Marlene B. Patron, and Aileen V. Regaspi. On September 24, the participants were Mariel A. Bantillo, Ruth Gail T. Caasi, Dianne C. Catam-isan, Vanessa Joy D. Cosio, Erolin F. Delos Reyes, Eddie G. Ferrer, Jonald D. Karingal, Wilito S. Lequin, Jofel R. Macul, Lindsay Paulino, Butch S. Regala, Zaira Joie A. Salcedo, Romar C. Tabiola, Gerlie Resterio, and Dianalyn N. Villamor.
Contributors to the Summit reflections
September 23: Rizza D. Florentino, Alma V. Labro, Marlene B. Patron, and Aileen V. Regaspi.
September 24: Mariel A. Bantillo, Ruth Gail T. Caasi, Dianne C. Catam-isan, Vanessa Joy D. Cosio, Eddie G. Ferrer, Jonald D. Karingal, Jofel R. Macul, Lindsay Paulino, Zaira Joie A. Salcedo, and Dianalyn N. Villamor.
Photos from the participants and UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office
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