Institutional Study Visit of Dzongkhag Administration, Mongar on Drinking Water Supply Management, Operations and Maintenance

An institutional study visit on Drinking Water Supply Management, Operations and Maintenance, was conducted by International Academy for Continuous Education last February 20-24, 2017 for the Dzongkhag Administration, Mongar, of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The institutional study visit aimed to introduce to the delegates the existing setting of water management and operation here in the Philippines, so that they may use it as a benchmark for their future program development back in Bhutan.

Additionally, the institutional study visit also helped them understand the technical operation and maintenance tasks associated with supplying water, including the technical aspects of water transport and distribution to ensure a reliable supply of safe drinking-water.

International Academy for Continuous Education led by Dir. Aries Balanay welcomed The District Governor Dasho Ugyen Sonam, District Commissioner, District Engineers, Project manager, Technicians, Surveyor and accountants of the Dzongkhag Administration with the traditional welcoming of putting lei (garland of flowers) around their necks in the airport. They then had lunch at the Food Club and visited the well-known Manila Hotel.

LWUA administrator Andres F. Ibarra together with the participants from Mongar District, Royal Government of Bhutan

They visited the Local Water Utility Administration (LWUA) during the first day of the workshop as they were welcomed by the LWUA administrator Andres F. Ibarra. Hydrology, water supply and water demand management, water transport and distribution were explained by LWUA’s Engineer DaniloBasilio. Engineer Allen Lowe also discussed about water treatment, pumps, pipes and storage the following day.

Attorney Leah Javier (Manager for Corporate Affairs division) discussed the Management structure and the operation of the Bulacan Water District

Engineer Florencio Lorenzo Manager of Water treatment Plant Division discussed about their water treatment process to the delegates from Mongar District, Royal Government of Bhutan

Attorney Leah Javier (Manager for Corporate Affairs division), Engineer Florencio Lorenzo (Manager for Water Treatment Plant Division), and Engineer Jay Limense delivered the lectures about the operation and maintenance of a drinking water supply during the site visit at San Jose Del Monte Water District, Bulacan on the third day.

The Batangas City Water District General Manager, Mrs. Yolanda Oyao and the team had a round table discussion together with Mongar District Delegates regarding Water District Management and Operation

Mongar District Delegates together with Batangas Water District Management and officials. Picture taken in front of their office.

The Batangas City Water District General Manager, Mrs. Yolanda Oyao warmly welcomed the delegates on the fourth day as they are to complete their workshop with the Batangas City Water District. Department Manager Engineer Bernardo C. Hornillaand Engineer Jose Roberto Maranan discussed with them the drinking water and treatment systems.

Engr. Bernardo Hornilla guide the Mongar District delegates in visting wells of Batangas City Water District

The delegates also were able to visit the Batangas Capitol during the afternoon. They were warmly welcomed by the Capitol Administrator Mr. Librado Dimaunahan and Ibaan City Councilor Socrates Arellano.

Mongar District Govern Dasho Ugyen Sonam courtesy call with Batangas Capitol Administrator

The awarding of the certificates by IACE CEO Susana Balanay together with President Dr. Albert Alday took place on the last day.

IACE CEO Susana Balanay and IACE President Albert S. Alday awarding the certificate to Mongar District Governor, Dasho Ugyen Sonam

Dasho Ugyen Sonam commended IACE Management team for delivering the institutional study visit more than expected as he said “Thank you IACE for arranging the training you made our stay here wonderful, not only the training part but all other aspects that go with the training”

The training ended with a send off lunch in Barbara’s Restaurant located in the oldest district of Manila in Intramuros, they were personally entertained by the owner Madame Barbara Delos Reyes and prepared a special recipes, Gambas and Fried Crablets cooked and served by Madame Barbara.

Mongar District Delegates together with Barbara’s owner Madame Barbara Delos Reyes

Mongar District Delegates serenaded by Barbara’s Restaurant musician while having lunch.

Institutional Visit of JDWNRH, Bhutan for Hospital Administration and Management

An institutional study visit for Strategic Management for Hospital Administration and Management was successfully conducted by the International Academy for Continuous Education for the officers of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) from Royal Kingdom of Bhutan last January 30 to February 4, 2017.

The JDWNRH is the apex institution of Bhutan in delivering health care services in the country. It caters to the population of Thimphu Dzongkhag and also the non-referred patients from neighboring Dzongkhags and referred cases from the 20 Dzongkhag hospitals.

The study visit consisted of a series of lectures conducted by Dr. Juan Pablo Nanagas, a prominent Ophthalmologist, former Director of the biggest government training hospital in the country The Philippine General Hospital, Dr Nanagas is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Health during the term of Sec. Juan M. Flavier.

Delegates from JDWNRH together with Dr. Juan Nanagas

The participants from JDWNRH; Human Resource Officer Rekha Monger, Administrative Officer Dema Dorji, Planning Officer Ugyen Tshering, and Mr. Narayan Acharya, visited St Luke’s Hospital where they were able to view the rooms for the patients.

JDWRNH together with IACE Director Aries Balanay in front of St. Luke’s Hospital

During the hospital trip in St. Lukes the team was divided into three groups and had a session with their respective departments, Human Resource Officer Rekha Monger had a one-on-one meeting with St. Lukes HR head, and was introduced to the St. Lukes HR Department’s structure and process flow.

Human Resource Officer Rekha Monger together with St. Lukes HR Department Head

Administrative Officer Dema Dorji and Planning Officer Ugyen Tshering were given a lectures about St. Luke’s strategic plan and for 2020 and their nursing care management.

Administrative Officer Dema Dorji and Planning Officer Ugyen Tshering together with the officers of St. Lukes Nursing Care Department

Mr. Narayan Acharya met with the St. Luke’s Finance Department and introduce to the office’s Finance Information Management System.

The Instituional Study Visit in St. Lukes hospital ended up with hospital tour showing the delegates from JDWNRH St. Lukes’ state-of-the-art equipment and introducing the team to the different heads of their department.

JDWNRH delegates visited "hotel" like atmosphere room of St. Lukes Hospital

JDWNRH delegates visited “five-star hotel” like atmosphere room of St. Lukes Hospital

JDWRNH Delegates visited the hyperbaric chambers of St. Lukes hospital

JDWNRH delegates visited the Cyclotron Deparment of St. Lukes Hospital

JDWNRH delegates visited the Cyclotron Department of St. Lukes Hospital

JDWNRH also visited the second biggest government hospital in the Philippines, The East Avenue Medical Center completed the training as it presented the Philippine’s hospital setting handled in the public sector.

East Avenue Management Team together with JDWRNH delegates

East Avenue Medical Center Finance Team together with JDWNRH delegates

East Avenue Medical Center Finance Team together with JDWRNH delegates

The participants were able to reach their objectives of knowing how the hospitals in the Philippines operate, Human resource management and administration, accounting and finance, and sales and marketing.

The 5 day training ended up with awarding of Professional graduate level certificate for Strategic Management for Hospital Administration awarded by IACE’s President Dr. Albert Alday and CEO Susana B. Balanay

“The practical session of hospital and field visit combined with the theoretical knowledge were very aptly customized and tailored to the training needs of the participants. It was a good learning experience.” Rekha Monger