The Municipality of Macrohon successfully hosted a capacity-building seminar titled “Development Planning and Budgeting” for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials on December 13, 2025. The activity was organized to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of youth leaders in development planning, effective leadership, and sound financial management—key components in the implementation of impactful and sustainable youth programs.

The activity was spearheaded by Ms. Maria Risa Jean Pasculado, who served as the Activity Leader and one of the resource speakers. The seminar brought together SK officials from different barangays of Macrohon, providing them with an avenue to deepen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities in local governance.

The program commenced with a session led by the first resource speaker, Ms. Karina Gutierrez, who delivered an in-depth discussion on Strategic Planning and Community Development. Her presentation emphasized the importance of participatory planning, data-driven decision-making, and aligning SK initiatives with the actual needs of the community. She highlighted how strategic planning serves as a roadmap in achieving long-term development goals while promoting inclusivity and sustainability at the grassroots level.

Following this, Ms. Maria Risa Jean Pasculado presented the topic “Three Competencies Essential for Effective Leadership.” Her talk focused on developing leadership qualities such as self-awareness, communication, and accountability. She underscored the role of values-based leadership in inspiring teamwork, building trust, and ensuring transparency in youth governance. The session encouraged SK officials to lead with integrity and to continuously develop themselves as public servants.

The final session was facilitated by Ms. Juvenal Sumaya, who discussed Budget Preparation and Public Financial Management for SK Officials. His lecture provided a comprehensive overview of the budgeting process, including budget formulation, allocation, and monitoring. He emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, compliance with government policies, and proper documentation to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

The seminar was effectively facilitated by Ms. Lyca Siarot and Ms. Norbella Roxas, who ensured active participation and smooth flow of activities throughout the program. Overall coordination and logistical support were managed by Mr. James Michael Amrinto, whose efforts contributed significantly to the success of the event.

The seminar-workshop concluded with a renewed commitment from the SK officials to apply the knowledge and skills they gained in planning and implementing youth-oriented programs. The activity reaffirmed the municipality’s support for empowering young leaders and strengthening youth participation in local governance and community development.

Southern Leyte State University – Maasin City Campus (SLSU–MCC) strengthened its culture of service and community solidarity as the Supreme Student Council (SSC) spearheaded a relief distribution for families affected by the recent fire incident in Barangay Iniguihan, Bato, Leyte. The outreach was conducted on November 27, 2025.

The initiative began on campus, where SSC student leaders gathered donations from the SLSU–MCC community during the National Student’s Day Celebration held on November 19, 2025. Students, faculty, and staff came together in the spirit of bayanihan, contributing clothing, food packs, hygiene items, and other essentials for the fire victims. What started as a simple call for support quickly turned into a collective act of kindness, filling the campus with an atmosphere of empathy and volunteerism.

During the distribution, SSC officers personally delivered the relief goods to the affected households, offering not only material assistance but also words of comfort to the families who lost their homes. The gesture highlighted the council’s commitment to service beyond campus boundaries— empowering young people to engage in meaningful civic activities.

As SLSU–MCC continues to promote leadership rooted in empathy and service, the SSC’s outreach serves as a testament to what young civic actors can achieve. With the support of the university community, the relief operation became not only an extension of the Students Day celebration but also a meaningful example of what true student service looks like—responsive, compassionate, and united for the common good.

Through this initiative, SLSU–MCC reaffirms that education goes beyond the four corners of the classroom. It is lived through actions that uplift others, especially in moments when help matters most.

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) and the DepEd Maasin City Division formally sealed a new partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Financial Literacy for Economic Enhancement (FLEE) project on December 1, 2025. The signing ceremony, held at the DepEd MCD Office, marks a significant step in SLSU’s efforts to strengthen financial literacy in local communities.

The program began with preliminary remarks from Dr. Clemente H. Cobilla, SLSU-TO Campus Director. He emphasized the university’s commitment to promoting financial literacy among teachers, students, and their families. Dr. Candy Elizabeth G. Salapi, the SLSU-TO BSBA Program Head, provided an overview of the project. She explained that FLEE aims to equip teachers with financial literacy skills so they can create a meaningful spillover effect on their pupils, as well as on their own families and communities. This initiative builds on SLSU’s earlier partnerships with ARBOs through DAR and with 4Ps through DSWD.

The MOA signing highlighted the shared goal of improving financial skills and strengthening economic capacity. In their commitment messages, Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, affirmed SLSU’s support for community-centered programs. Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Jaime Leon T. Cardona, CESE, expressed gratitude and emphasized that financial literacy is an essential skill in preparing students for the future. Ms. Adelfa C. Diola, Director of Extension Services, outlined the next steps for the project, which include training sessions, learning modules, and community outreach activities.

The ceremony concluded with moderator Dr. Monna Liza Bosque stressing the positive impact this partnership is expected to bring to the communities in Maasin City. This collaboration supports Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education by promoting financial literacy and lifelong learning for both educators and students.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), in partnership with Barangay Sagbok LGU and Sagbok Elementary School, successfully conducted a day-long community outreach program titled “School–Community Connections Through Pupils’ Reading and Writing Activities and Stakeholders’ Awareness on Socio-Legal Issues in Education” on December 3, 2025. The event, held at BLGU Sagbok, gathered teachers, parents, students, and community leaders for a meaningful engagement that addressed both academic development and socio-legal awareness.

The program opened with a warm welcome from Ms. Vangie D. Pelicano, School Principal of Sagbok Elementary School. It was followed by the Statement of Purpose delivered by Dr. Aldwin M. Teves, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, who highlighted the importance of collaboration between schools and local communities in fostering responsible, informed, and empowered learners. The event was attended by  108 students, 45 parents, 11 teachers, and 26 community leaders. 

After the program preliminaries, participants were divided into two breakout sessions. The first breakout session focused on pressing socio-legal concerns affecting students and families.

The session featured a series of relevant and insightful discussions, beginning with “Teenage Pregnancy and Responsible Parenthood” presented by Ms. Mona Rea C. Cagurol of SLSU–FAS. This was followed by Dr. Shefferd Bib S. Bernales’ comprehensive discussion on the rights, duties, and obligations of parents, students, and teachers, providing clarity on shared responsibilities within the academic community. Dr. Bernales also facilitated the final segment, offering updates on LGU–Hinundayan minor-related regulations, ensuring participants were well-informed of current local policies.

Participants engaged in meaningful discussions that deepened their understanding of family roles, community responsibilities, and updated local ordinances affecting minors.

The event also featured interactive literacy activities, including Reading and Writing Tutoring led by Prof. Maryann Miller and Mr. Exekiel Ed Elizan. Participants enjoyed Reading Games facilitated by Dr. Flordeliza E. Vitor and Mr. Roselleto L. Cadavos, which encouraged engagement and comprehension through enjoyable learning tasks. Meanwhile, Writing Games organized by Dr. Eda J. Opina and Mr. Rey Comabig provided students with creative outlets to enhance their writing skills in a fun and collaborative environment.

These activities aimed to enhance the pupils’ foundational literacy skills while fostering creativity, comprehension, and confidence in both reading and writing.

The event showcased SLSU’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and educational development. With active participation from faculty members, local officials, teachers, and families, the outreach program reinforced the shared responsibility of nurturing young learners and addressing relevant social issues.

After the program proper, students were all smiles as they received early Christmas gifts from the FAS faculty members—an added gesture of gratitude and warmth, and a simple way to extend the holiday spirit to the young learners.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences expressed gratitude for the warm reception and cooperation of BLGU Sagbok and the entire community, emphasizing that initiatives like this pave the way for stronger school–community collaboration in the years ahead.