For three years, the leadership of Dr. Arnel B. Millesca, anchored on his mantra “Together, Everyone Achieves More,” has ushered in a transformative era for Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, marked by innovation, academic excellence, internationalization, institutional growth, and people-centered governance.
As DEBESMSCAT celebrates the 3rd anniversary of Dr. Millesca as SUC President III, the institution reflects on remarkable milestones achieved under his visionary leadership through the DAMGO Vision, which stands for Development, Advancement, Modernization, Growth, and Opportunities for Masbateños.
Anchored on the belief that education is a powerful catalyst for social transformation, Dr. Millesca continuously strengthened the institution’s academic foundation, expanded opportunities for students and employees, and elevated DEBESMSCAT’s standing both nationally and internationally while sustaining its continued pursuit for full university status.
Under his administration, several personnel from different sectors of the institution earned promotions in recognition of their dedication and contributions to public service and higher education. Additional non-teaching personnel were likewise hired to strengthen institutional operations and improve the delivery of services to students and stakeholders. Moreover, many Contract of Service (COS) faculty members were granted temporary plantilla items, providing them with greater security of tenure and professional stability, a move widely appreciated by the DEBESMSCAT community.
One of the administration’s landmark achievements was DEBESMSCAT’s historic rise in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). In 2025, the institution first entered the global rankings and earned distinctions in three prestigious categories, ranking 32nd in Empowerment-Based Management, 34th in Industrial Application, and 47th in Student Mobility and Openness. This milestone placed DEBESMSCAT among globally recognized innovative universities and highlighted the institution’s growing commitment to transformative and student-centered education.
Building on this momentum, DEBESMSCAT achieved an even stronger performance in the 2026 WURI rankings. The institution ranked 302nd among the world’s most innovative universities, emerged as Top 3 among higher education institutions in the Bicol Region, and placed 67th nationwide among Philippine universities included in the global assessment. From being recognized in only three categories in 2025, DEBESMSCAT expanded its international recognition to seven categories in 2026, reflecting the institution’s growing excellence in innovation, academic development, internationalization, governance, research, and student empowerment under the leadership of Dr. Millesca.
The institution also strengthened its reputation for quality assurance after successfully passing the ISO Stage 1 Audit in 2026 with zero critical findings, demonstrating DEBESMSCAT’s commitment to operational excellence, transparency, and continuous institutional improvement.
Academic development likewise accelerated under Dr. Millesca’s administration following the granting of 34 Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), covering graduate and undergraduate programs in the Mandaon and Cawayan campuses. This achievement affirmed the institution’s compliance with national standards for quality education and outcomes-based instruction.
Under Dr. Millesca’s leadership, DEBESMSCAT consistently produced impressive performances in various licensure examinations, surpassing national passing rates in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and other professional fields. To further cultivate academic excellence, the administration approved increased incentive schemes for national board topnotchers beginning in 2026, granting as much as ₱200,000 for Top 1 board placers from the institution.
Another historic initiative introduced during his term was the release of complete employment-ready documents during commencement exercises, including diplomas, transcripts of records, and Civil Service Eligibility certificates for qualified graduates. This student-centered innovation significantly reduced the burden on graduates and enhanced their readiness for employment immediately after graduation.
The institution also invested heavily in faculty and staff development through scholarship and advanced studies programs in partnership with prestigious institutions such as Philippine Normal University, Cebu Technological University, and Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology. Several faculty members and personnel were likewise accepted into the prestigious CHED-HUSAY and CHED-SIKAP scholarship programs, further enhancing DEBESMSCAT’s academic capability and research culture.
Beyond academics, DEBESMSCAT also gained national recognition for governance, accountability, and inclusivity. The institution received a “Very Satisfactory” rating from the Department of Budget and Management for its fiscal performance and ranked 6th among State Universities and Colleges nationwide with the Highest Client-Focused Gender and Development (GAD) Budget Allocation as recognized by the Philippine Commission on Women.
Internationalization also flourished under Dr. Millesca’s administration. DEBESMSCAT strengthened academic partnerships with institutions across Asia and North America, creating opportunities for student mobility, collaborative research, cultural exchange, and international academic engagement.
Among the institution’s major international linkages include partnerships with Tongmyong University in Busan, South Korea, as well as collaborations with leading universities in Indonesia, including Universitas Brawijaya. The institution also expanded partnerships in Taiwan through academic cooperation agreements with Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Chenkou Technology University, Kun Shan University, and Fo Guang University.
Dr. Millesca likewise represented DEBESMSCAT in major international education forums in China, including the China International Education Exhibition Tour and the China Study Abroad Forum, opening opportunities for future global collaborations and academic partnerships. In Canada, DEBESMSCAT further expanded its international presence through participation in the Canadian Bureau for International Education Annual Conference and academic partnership initiatives with Concordia University in Montreal.
These expanding global partnerships reflect DEBESMSCAT’s growing recognition as a globally connected and internationally competitive institution dedicated to producing future-ready graduates and transformative educational programs.
From infrastructure modernization and digital transformation initiatives to academic innovation, internationalization, and strengthened community engagement, Dr. Millesca’s three years of leadership continue to redefine DEBESMSCAT as a future-ready and globally competitive institution.
As the institution moves forward in its continued pursuit for full university status, the DEBESMSCAT community remains united in advancing the DAMGO Vision by creating greater opportunities, empowering communities, and transforming lives through quality and inclusive education.
Three years into his presidency, Dr. Arnel B. Millesca’s legacy continues to shape a stronger, more innovative, and more responsive DEBESMSCAT, truly living its mission as an institution “Where Transformation Begins.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
