Asscat College and Board Secretary Office

23/01/2026

The College and Board Secretary V, Francis Tom A Paredes, together with Mr Bernie Balighot of ASSCAT CCIS, shared to LGU Alegria, Surigao del Norte the researches on exploring the unheard voices of rice farmers and the community-based mobile application for rice farming accounting system.

Prior to LGU Alegria, they also presented the same papers at LGU Barobo, Surigao del Sur and LGU San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Both ASSCAT researchers are grateful to ASSCAT President Joy C. Capistrano and Congressman Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza for their full support in this endeavors.

21/01/2026

The strong support of Dr. Joy C. Capistrano, ASSCAT President, to the endeavors of Congressman Plaza Adolph Edward in uplifting the quality of agriculture in Agusan del Sur inspired ASSCAT employees to produce researches and extension projects that would benefit the agriculture sector of the province.

In this endeavor organized by the LGU San Francisco, Agusan del Sur under the leadership of Mayor Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo, Dr. Francis Tom A Paredes and Mr Bernie Balighot presented two crucial research papers to the Municipal Agriculturists, Rice Farmers Associations, and LGU Officials titled “Exploring the unheard voices of rice farmers in Agusan del Sur” and “Rice Farming Accounting System Mobile Application”.

A Rice farmer experienced using the mobile app while the rest of the participants expressed strong interest in using the app particularly the rice farmers and the rice farmers coordinators.

The participants realized the significance of using the app, documenting the financial flow for rice farming, and describing the details of the story of failure and success in rice farming per season.

The LGU officials with Mayor Bravo, Vice Mayor Pulvera, and SB Paredes also expressed strong support in utilizing the RFAS Mobile App and set another schedule for the rice coordinators in-depth training for the app.

19/01/2026

16/01/2026

The 151st ASSCAT Board of Trustees (BOT) Special Meeting marks a successful start to 2026, a worthy achievement for the ASSCAT community to celebrate.

Led by the brilliant Chairperson, CHED Commissioner Myrna Q. Mallari, the BOT addressed 11 key items aimed at benefiting stakeholders, particularly students.

All items underwent thorough review and discussion, adhering to relevant laws and regulations to ensure informed decision-making.

The items were also reviewed by the ASSCAT Admin Council and BOT Finance Committee before being presented to the BOT, in accordance with RA 8292 and related guidelines.

14/01/2026

WELCOME BACK SIR B**G! | Alang sa opisyal nga komunikasyon ug mga sulat, palihug i-padala kang Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate Jr., Regional Executive Director, Department of Agriculture–Caraga.

Mahimo ninyong ipadala ang inyong sulat pinaagi sa email sa [email protected] o makigkontak kanamo sa (085) 818-6366 ug (085) 817-9581, local 109.

Daghang salamat sa inyong kooperasyon ug padayon nga pakig-uban sa Department of Agriculture–Caraga mga Ka-Agri!

10/01/2026

Welcome back to Caraga Region!

Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr.
Regional Executive Director
Department of Agriculture - RFO XIII
Member, ASSCAT BOT

LOOK | DA Appoints Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. as New Regional Executive Director of DA–RFO XIII

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially designated Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. as the new Regional Executive Director (RED) of the DA–Regional Field Office XIII (Caraga), according to Special Order No. 09, Series of 2026, issued by the Office of the Secretary.

The designation, signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., was made “in the interest of service” and took effect immediately on January 9, 2026. Oñate, who holds the rank of Director IV, will assume full responsibility for the functions, duties, and responsibilities inherent to the position of Regional Executive Director.

As RED of DA–RFO XIII, Oñate is expected to lead the planning, implementation, and coordination of agriculture and fisheries programs in the Caraga Region, ensuring alignment with national policies and priorities of the Department of Agriculture.

The Special Order also entitles RED Oñate to receive Representation and Transportation Allowance (RATA), as well as traveling, per diem, and incidental expenses necessary for the performance of his official duties. These expenses will be charged against DA–RFO XIII funds and other available resources, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Furthermore, all officials and employees of the Department of Agriculture—including its bureaus, attached agencies, corporations, and regional field offices—have been directed to extend their full support and cooperation to RED Oñate in the discharge of his responsibilities.

The issuance also revokes Special Order No. 362, Series of 2024, along with all other orders, memoranda, and issuances inconsistent with the new designation.

The appointment signals a renewed leadership direction for DA–RFO XIII as it continues to address regional challenges in agriculture, fisheries, and rural development in the Caraga Region.

09/01/2026

ASSCAT Board Secretary Francis Tom Aragon-Paredes as instructed by College President Joy C. Capistrano visited the CHED Commissioner Myrna Q. Mallari in the first week of January 2026 for the signing of BOT Resolutions and scheduling of BOT Special Meeting for the first quarter of CY 2026.

The accommodating aura of Comm Mallari radiates to all her staff led by EA Anfernee Ruanto who are very facilitative and smiling.

ASSCAT is so grateful to Comm Mallari and all her staff for the fruitful 2025 and ASPIREs to ASCEND for more ACHIEVEments in 2026!

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31/12/2025

20/12/2025

Happy Happy Birthday to the transformative leader of ASSCAT Faculty Association, our Faculty Trustee, Dr Shiryl T. Ytoc!

You are an outstanding Board Member who is so dependable! Thank you for all your intellectual inputs that led to the realization of programs, activities, and projects that helped ASSCAT in its endeavor to be converted into a University!

Happy Birthday and God bless, Honorable Shiryl!

18/12/2025

Commissioner Myrna Q. Mallari is one of the best Chairpersons that is designated to ASSCAT Board of Trustees.

Comm. Mallari presided over the 150th ASSCAT Board of Trustees Regular Meeting for the Fourth Quarter of Calendar Year 2025.

The following members actively attended and participated the meeting:

Hon. Joy C. Capistrano
Vice Chairperson
President, ASSCAT

Hon. Senator Loren Legarda
Member, ASSCAT BOT

represented by:

Hon. Patricia Anne B. Plaza
Vice Governor
Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur

Hon. Gemima A. Olam, CESO IV
Regional Director
DEPDev Caraga

Hon. Noel M. Ajoc, CES
Regional Director
DOST Caraga

Hon. Shiryl T. Ytoc
President
ASSCAT Faculty Association

Hon. Johnny V. Ramos
President
ASSCAT Alumni Association

Hon. Jenny P. Otero
President
ASSCAT Supreme Student Government

Hon. Arnie N. Arreza
Private Sector Representative

Hon. Dinah Lyrah D. Pantaleon
Private Sector Representative

The Board Members deliberated items under Finance Matters, Admin Matters, Policy Matters, Matters for Confirmation, and Other Matters.

Almost all of the items were approved. The most important items will surely bring JOY to the hearts of each and every employee and to their family!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

11/12/2025

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Barobo, led by Mayor Ronito L. Martizano, through the Municipal Agricultural Office headed by Hon. Johnny V. Ramos, invited ASSCAT to present their research paper on "Exploring the Unheard Voices of Rice Farmers in Agusan del Sur" and the "Rice Farming Accounting System" to rice farmers' associations and people's organizations in Barobo, Surigao del Sur.

Dr. Francis Tom A. Paredes and Mr. Bernie S. Balighot, an IT expert, represented ASSCAT. Dr. Paredes shared the good news on the Soil Laboratory of the Province of Agusan del Sur and the importance of soil health analysis in rice farming. The LGU Barobo expressed interest in establishing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to utilize the Rice Farming Accounting System (RFAS) and replicate the research study.

This initiative is open to potential collaborations with interested parties.