Championing meaningful academic-government collaboration, Pampanga State University (Pampanga State U) was honored to host the Business and Academic Summit for Nation Building at the University Hostel on September 17, 2025.

The gathering brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors of Central Luzon, united by a shared vision of building a Philippine bureaucracy that is more responsive, transparent, and accountable.

The summit was organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) under the leadership of Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, carrying the theme “Advancing a More Efficient, Transparent, and Accountable Philippine Bureaucracy.”

“Sec. Perez, it is an honor to have you here with us today, and we thank you and your dedicated team for choosing Pampanga State University as your partner and host for this significant initiative,” Dr. Enrique Baking, university president, stated in his welcome remarks.

Dr. Baking also mentioned that the University is proud to support ARTA’s initiatives by offering the Master in Public Administration major in Regulatory Management Systems, a program designed to equip public servants and professionals to lead regulatory reform and drive innovation in governance.

Furthermore, Pampanga State U entered into an agreement with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), led by its President and CEO, Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, for the implementation of the Scholarship Collaboration for Workers Engaging in Learning Advancement (SCWELA) program.

The SCWELA program seeks to provide CDC employees with accessible, high-quality education and training to enhance career growth, boost organizational productivity, and promote inclusivity and community partnerships through collaboration with Pampanga State U.

“Now, I’m seeing the great people of Pampanga State U—ang gagaling ninyo! Hindi kami nagkamali ng pagkuha ng partnership. Sabi ko nga sa amin, kailangan kumuha tayo ng school that is passionate,” said Atty. Devanadera.

“You know, I’m seeing the very best of Pampanga State U... I can see the passion. ‘Yun ang kulang sa maraming tao, ‘di ba? Alam natin kung anong gagawin, gusto nating gawin, at ginagawa naman, pero ang kulang—passion. And so, I really want to give recognition to our friends here in Pampanga State U,” she added.

Also present at the summit were Hon. Anthony Joseph A. Torres, Mayor of Guagua, Pampanga, representing Hon. Lilia G. Pineda, Governor of the Province of Pampanga; Marbida L. Marbida, Director IV of the Better Regulations Office of ARTA; Mary Grace B. Manabat, Regional Chief of ARTA Central Luzon; Atty. Paul L. Yusi, President of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.; and Hon. Eduardo Diman Datu, Mayor of Bacolor, Pampanga.

Meanwhile, alongside Dr. Baking, the University was represented by Engr. Reden Hernandez, Executive Vice President and concurrent Vice President for Administration and Finance and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Dolores Quiambao, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services; Dr. Ranie B. Canlas, Vice President for Research, Innovation, Training, and Extension; administrative council members; graduate school professors; and the University’s ARTA representative.

Photo credits: Public and Media Affairs Unit

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