It is with a profound sense of loss that we share with you the passing of former NCPAG dean Prof. Romeo B. Ocampo. Dean Ocampo or RBO to the members of the NCPAG family departed on 8 February 2019. He was 83.
RBO joined the NCPAG (then known as the Institute of Public Administration or IPA) in 1959 as a research assistant. He started teaching in 1964 and served as a member of the faculty for four decades until his retirement in 2004 with the rank of full Professor. He taught courses on administrative theory; public policy and planning; urban, regional and social development; and local and regional government.
RBO belongs to the generation of Filipino scholars who took over the stewardship of the College from its American founding fathers. In addition to his service as educator and academic, he also held administrative posts in the College, including Director of the Center for Policy and Executive Development, Director of Research and Publications, Director of the Center for Local and Regional Governance, and Dean of the College.
A consummate and dedicated scholar, RBO authored numerous journal articles, book chapters and academic and policy papers published locally and internationally. He was also the longest-serving member of the editorial board of the Philippine Journal of Public Administration (PJPA), of which he was the chair until the moment of his demise.
RBO attended the University of California Berkeley for advanced studies in City and Regional Planning (PhD candidate) and Master in City Planning. He graduated from UP with an AB English and Master in Public Administration degrees.
The NCPAG in 2016 recognized and honored RBO as one of its pillars during a public lecture and exhibit showcasing his contributions to the development of the College and the discipline and study of public administration and governance in the country.