By Nasrimah R. Sampaco-Fayez
Photos by Muhammad Tawfiq C. Cali
In a significant move to enhance administrative efficiency, MSU officials, unit heads, and college deans and secretaries, led by MSU System President Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA, gathered at Chali Beach in Cagayan de Oro City for an intensive five-day financial strategic planning and workshop. The event, running from November 7 to 11, 2025, was strategically designed to identify and definitively resolve persistent financial process bottlenecks and streamline university-wide operations.
The workshop’s initial two days, November 7-8, were dedicated to foundational strategic planning, bringing together key concerned university offices to set the stage for systemic improvements. The focus then shifted on November 9 to a critical diagnostic session involving the academic unit heads, particularly college deans and secretaries, centering on budget and accounting procedures.
To pinpoint the exact root causes of frustrating delays in financial transactions, such as those related to travel and reimbursements, the budget and accounting offices utilized a data-driven approach using a Google Form. This tool proved highly effective, clearly identifying the common issues and systemic bottlenecks that have historically slowed down processes.
Following this analysis, a high-level, collaborative problem-solving session was held. In a clear display of commitment to reform, the attendees worked directly to address the identified issues head-on. This unified effort is expected to quickly move from discussion to action, culminating in the introduction of new, simplified forms and clearly defined, standardized processes, which are meticulously designed to make future financial transactions both faster and more accurate.
The comprehensive workshop is set to conclude on November 11. The primary objective is to ensure that every unit departs fully equipped with the necessary tools, practical knowledge, and confidence to immediately implement these more efficient financial procedures, paving the way for a more agile administrative environment at MSU.
