Written by Hydi Toyeng
Showcasing its continued commitment to community engagement and extension, the University of Baguio – School of Information Technology (SIT), under the leadership of Dr. Ellen M. Halover, shared its expertise with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region I through a series of digital skills enhancement sessions held from June to September 2026. Three (3) SIT faculty members were invited as resource speakers and subject matter experts for the series.
Organized by BJMP Region I, headed by Regional Director JSSUPT Andrew W. Tauli, TLPE, the series forms part of the Jail Bureau’s continuing effort to advance the management competencies of its personnel. Through seminars, trainings, and workshops, the Bureau aims to improve performance and efficiency in the workplace. Personnel from various jail units across Region I took part in the sessions, which were delivered both online and face to face.
Building Digital Competence in Public Service
As government offices increasingly rely on digital tools for communication, documentation, and daily operations, the series was designed to equip jail personnel with practical, job-ready technology skills. Each session was delivered by an SIT faculty member whose expertise matched the topic, allowing participants to learn directly from practitioners in the field of information technology.
The series opened on June 9, 2026, with a half-day online Digital Graphic Design Workshop Using Canva, with Ms. Erna-kristi N. Martinez as the resource speaker. She introduced participants to the fundamentals of graphic design and its core elements, including color, typography, and layout. She then oriented them to navigating Canva’s tools and features, and discussed practical design techniques and the basics of branding to help units present a consistent and professional image.
Participants then put these lessons into practice through a hands-on session, creating their own posters, infographics, and social media materials. The workshop concluded with output sharing and peer feedback, giving participants the chance to present their work and learn from one another before the wrap-up and evaluation.
Building Skills and a Security Mindset
On September 23, 2026, participants gathered at Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union, for a full-day, face-to-face training on Basic Computer Fundamentals with Troubleshooting and Cybersecurity, with Ms. Katherine Reyes as the resource speaker. She built the program around two goals: developing practical computer skills and applying a security mindset to participants’ daily work.
In the morning, she discussed computer fundamentals and basic troubleshooting. She led participants through the “Know Your Machine” activity, helping them become familiar with the parts and functions of their own devices. She then challenged them with a “Troubleshooting Relay,” where teams worked together to diagnose and resolve common computer problems.
In the afternoon, she turned the discussion to cybersecurity, explaining why it matters to the BJMP as an institution entrusted with sensitive information. She walked participants through everyday cyber-hygiene practices and tested their skills through a “Spot the Scam” activity, sharpening their ability to recognize phishing and other online threats. She closed the session by discussing incident reporting and guiding each participant in preparing a personal checklist for safe computing practices in their respective units.
Strengthening Records Management for Efficient Operations
The series concluded on September 29, 2026, with a half-day online session on Digital Records Management with Google Drive, with Engr. Meynard O. Soriano as the resource speaker. Anchored on the theme “Organize it. Find it. Protect it. Share it wisely,” he equipped participants with practical skills to manage office records efficiently and securely.
He began by guiding participants in signing in to and navigating Google Drive with confidence. He then demonstrated how to build organized folder structures, classify documents, and apply consistent file naming conventions. He also walked them through essential file management tasks such as uploading, renaming, moving, searching, backing up, and retrieving records.
He then discussed how to share files responsibly by assigning the right access level based on each user’s job need. He also emphasized privacy and security habits for safeguarding sensitive information. He capped the session with a full filing simulation, where participants applied everything they had learned to a realistic records management scenario.
A Stride Toward Sustainable Development
The partnership also contributed to UB’s advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 4: Quality Education – by promoting lifelong learning and equipping working professionals with relevant digital and ICT skills
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by enhancing workplace productivity and efficiency through practical, job-relevant technology training
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – by helping build more effective, accountable, and secure public institutions through improved digital competence, cybersecurity awareness, and records management
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by fostering collaboration between the academe and a government agency in sharing knowledge and expertise
Through this engagement, the University of Baguio reaffirms that its role extends beyond the classroom. SIT continues to share the expertise of its faculty with partner institutions, helping strengthen public service in the region, one skill at a time.
