The Extension and Community Services Office (ECSO) of Rizal Technological University (RTU) conducted a comprehensive institutional recognition event, the 2024 Gawad Serbisyong Pangkomunidad, on November 26-27, 2024. Held at the SNAGAH Building’s Penthouse A and B, this symposium was designed to acknowledge and celebrate faculty members and teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to community-centered scholarly extension work. The event epitomized RTU’s institutional philosophy of transformative engagement, emphasizing the critical role of academic institutions in catalyzing social innovation and sustainable community development.

The two-day event was strategically structured to comprehensively assess extensionist contributions through a multifaceted evaluation process. The first day focused on individual scholarly contributions, featuring an intensive assessment of 17 faculty extensionists from diverse academic departments. A distinguished panel of experts conducted in-depth interviews, employing a robust evaluation framework that prioritized the substantive significance and measurable community impact of each participant’s extension initiatives. The second day shifted focus to collective academic endeavors, featuring a comprehensive review of 15 extension service teams. The evaluation criteria encompassed a holistic assessment of project effectiveness, including client impact, community influence, long-term sustainability, and innovative potential.

A distinguished panel of evaluators, representing various educational and governmental institutions, provided academic rigor to the assessment process. Dr. Magno M. Quendangan, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services (VPRIES), served as the Panel of Evaluators Chairman, with Instr. Ricardo H. Momongan, Jr., ECSO Director, functioning as Co-Chairman. Additional distinguished panel members included representatives from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Assoc. Prof. Raquel C. Abogado-Arevalo, Technological University of the Philippines, Dr. Redentor A. Janaban, and Mr. Rechie Tugawin Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Pasig City Government.

The event culminated in recognizing outstanding individual extensionists and collaborative teams, highlighting the transformative potential of academically-driven community engagement. In the Outstanding Extensionists of the Year category, Asst. Prof. Jovita A. Anit from the College of Arts and Sciences – Biology Department secured first place with a 90.92% score, followed by Asst. Prof. Russelle Ane A. Dela Cruz from the Psychology Department at 87.96%, and Dr. Roland M. Valencia from the College of Engineering’s Electrical Engineering Department at 87.16%.

The Distinguished Extension Service Teams showcased remarkable community-focused initiatives. The top-ranked project, “Empowering Communities: Advanced Home Construction and Electrical Safety” from the College of Engineering’s Electrical Engineering Department, achieved an impressive 95.90% score, with proponents Dr. Roland M. Valencia, Engr. Ruben J. Dichoso, Engr. Diomel C. Gillesania, Engr. Arturo C. Cabugayan, Engr. Romulo C. Cruz, Jr., Assoc. Prof. Jaymer G. Punzalan, Engr. Armando Matias and Engr. Joven Baltazar, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation, Inc.. The second-place project, “Project MAKE: Mentoring and Knowledge Empowerment of Pasig City Civil-Society Organizations” from the Political Science Department, scored 95.84%, with proponents Instr. Omar R. Manlapas, Instr. Ian Oliver C. Moscardo, Instr. John Benedick D. Alim, and Asst. Prof. Michael M. Mesinas. Partners included the Pasig City CSO Academy, the City Government of Pasig, Advocacies in Praxis for Leadership and Community Development, Inc., and the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Pasig Field Office.  The third-place “Grief and Bereavement Intervention Program” from the Psychology Department earned 95.69% with proponents Dr. Rodrigo DP. Tomas, Asst. Prof. Mary Beth C. Miranda, Asst. Prof. Christian Paul C. Pagal, Instr. Iris Cristelle D. Destura, Asst. Prof. Dynehgre P. Casasola, Instr. Joshua S. Quinto, Asst. Prof. Russelle Ane A. Dela Cruz, and Asst. Prof. Emmanuelle A. Santiago. The project was implemented in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Ina Healing Center. These teams were recognized with monetary awards and certificates, symbolizing the university’s commitment to incentivizing scholarly community engagement.

The event showcased the remarkable dedication of RTU’s educators and teams to addressing community challenges with creativity, passion, and sustainability. The 2024 Gawad Serbisyong Pangkomunidad continues to inspire RTU faculty and staff to drive meaningful change in society. This celebration not only honors the exceptional work of extensionists but also reinforces RTU’s mission of producing globally competent and socially responsible leaders.