REV. FR. MANUEL M. VERGARA, OSA
University President
President's Profile
Fr. Manuel M. Vergara, O.S.A., is from Magallanes, Sorsogon. He holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Development
Education from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He finished his bachelor's degree in philosophy
at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City.
In June 2002, Fr. Vergara assumed the presidency of the University of San Agustin. Among his first projects was
the review of the current five-year development plan of the University, in view of crafting a new one. Sensing the need
to explore other avenues for service and fund generation, Vergara created the Continuing Education Center, the Institute of
Foreign Languages, the Center for Culture and the Arts, and the USA Testing Center. The University also forged more linkages
with other institutions. USA signed memoranda of agreement with the Assumption University, Bangkok, Thailand; the University of Santo Tomas; the
Center for Community Journalism and Dvelopment; and Kyung Hee University and Konju Communication Arts College, both in Korea.
USA also became a charter member of the Local Governance Training and Research Institutions-Philippines Network.
Furthermore, Fr. Vergara has strengthened the University's collaboration with government for social development programs
and projects, primarily through his election to the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas. Through his efforts,
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted the University one million pesos for the construction on campus of the Diosdado
Macapagal Center, a venue for the convergence of government abd civil society groups. The University has also taken a lead role in policy
advocacy, more specifically in lobbying for the enactment of a Gender Code in Iloilo City, and for the creation of the Iloilo
City Local Housing Board. It also has adopted Mount Bayoso in San Enrique, Iloilo, under the "Adopt a Mountain" program
of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - a manifestation of its commitment to environmental protection.
The University also firmed up its socio-pastoral commitments as a Catholic university by forging a partnership with the Apostleship
of the Sea (AOS) in the operations of its newly launched center in Iloilo. The AOS is worldwide missionary arm of the Vatican-based
Pontifical Council of Migrants and Itinerants, which aims to provide services to seafarers and their families. Fr. Vice-President
for Academic Affairs Dennis Cuervo, O.S.A., was appointed port chaplain and executive director for AOS-Iloilo.
To stress the value of research and extension services as co-equal to the instruction function of the University,
Fr. vergara recast the organization structure of the University ans established the Office of the Vice-President for Research,
Planning and Development, headed by Fr. Jise Rene Delariarte, O.S.A., In the area of research and publications, the University has done commissioned research
for such institutions as the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center and the Ateneo School of Government. A
breakthrough in this field was the launching of Libro Agustino, the USA's publishing label, in March 1, 2003. Thus far, Libro Agustino
has already published more than a dozen books, as well as instructional manuals. A complementary project was the modernization
of the USA Printing Press.
In October 2003, the Commission on Higher Education granted the University "Autonomous Status" on the University of San Agustin,
for its "meritorious achievement in higher education in the provision of instruction and in the conduct of research and community
extension services; for high performance of graduates in licensure examinations; and for maintaining a tradition of integrity and
excellence and an untarnished reputation in the education service."
The President's Report 2004-2005 (Requires Acrobat Reader)
