Metro Dumaguete College Inc. (MDC) proudly demonstrates its deep, actionable commitment to institutional excellence, operational sustainability, and advanced governance. As a dynamic private Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Region XVIII, MDC recognizes that true progress is built on continuously reinforcing robust, ethical, and highly efficient administrative frameworks. In an environment demanding heightened accountability, transparency, and service quality, MDC's Management is proactively positioning the College as a reliable and high-performing partner to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and all national governing bodies.
The MDC Management operates with the conviction that institutional integrity and internal harmony are the bedrock of reliable public service. In line with this philosophy, the College’s Human Resources and Development Department (HRDD) Team recently took a significant, proactive step by actively participating in the intensive Course on Mediation for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region XVIII (Negros Island Region).
This critical training initiative, held over three days from September 30 to October 2, 2025, was a specialized program meticulously organized by the Department of Justice - Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (DOJ-OADR) and the CHED Legal and Legislative Service (LLS). The invitation, extended through CHED, was met with enthusiastic and immediate planning for adoption by MDC’s Management. The College actively participated with the explicit goal of beginning the process of operationalizing formal mediation as an institutional program, with the strategic aim of becoming a certified partner in the national CHED and DOJ Mediation network. This represents a tangible investment in the management’s core advocacy: to continuously improve communication and secure lasting harmony within the entire MDC community.
Proactive Compliance: Alignment with National ADR Policy
The College’s active engagement in this program is a powerful demonstration of MDC’s firm alignment with the State’s policy, enshrined in Republic Act No. 9285, the "Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act of 2004." This landmark legislation champions the use of ADR mechanisms, such as mediation, as an essential means to achieve speedy and impartial justice and minimize the organizational resource drain caused by protracted conflicts. By committing its HRDD Team to this comprehensive training, MDC is demonstrating that it acts as a self-regulating, responsible partner of the government, committed to efficient and ethical operations.
Crucially, this participation is a direct response to the specific regulatory requirements of the higher education sector. The course curriculum included a dedicated Plenary Discussion on "Existing Guidelines on Conflicts and Complaints Management at CHED," and the acquired knowledge directly supports the objectives of CHED Order (CO) No. 01, Series of 2018. This CHED Order prescribes the formal guidelines for mediation within the Commission itself.
By ensuring its key administrative team is trained in these precise, nationally-accredited methods, MDC assures CHED that the College is building the internal capacity to handle complex administrative matters with professionalism and in full compliance with the Commission's own framework. This strategic foresight reinforces MDC's status as a deeply informed HEI, actively supporting the national goal of streamlined administrative processes.
Building Institutional Strength Through Collaborative Governance
The intensive methodology of the course provided the Human Resources and Development Department with sophisticated frameworks for conflict resolution. The team was trained in the use of Conflict Diagnostic Tools and the strategic responses to conflict. MDC’s core administrative philosophy, now powerfully reinforced by this training, is centered on the strategic adoption of Collaboration most specifically, the assertive and cooperative approach that leads to win-win outcomes and strengthens organizational relationships. This model moves the College decisively away from adversarial methods and towards solutions that ensure long-term, sustainable community peace and productivity.
A key requirement of the training was the development of a Plan of Action to operationalize mediation in the workplace. This critical step ensures that the sophisticated, accredited knowledge gained is immediately translated into a tangible, systemic improvement. The resulting mediation program, driven by our trained HRDD Team, will serve as an integral component of MDC’s quality assurance mechanisms, demonstrating the College’s commitment to establishing robust, modern, and equitable systems for all administrative and community matters.
MDC's management is decisively investing in advancement and sustainability. This commitment to professional development, institutional integrity, and the embrace of national governance mandates proves that Metro Dumaguete College Inc. is an actively engaged and high-performing HEI, dedicated to fostering an environment of harmony that serves as the strong foundation for academic excellence and responsible institutional management.