Brgy. Sagbok in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte has experienced a meaningful transformation in community-based education through the successful implementation of an extension program led by the Languages, Literature, Communications and Humanities (LLCH) Area of Southern Leyte State University-Main Campus last March 27-28, 2025. The initiative provided targeted tutorial services and digital literacy training to participants, focusing on strengthening academic fundamentals and promoting technological fluency. Carried out in close collaboration with the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Brgy. Sagbok, the project mobilized university faculty to support under-resourced people through inclusive, community-centered education.

The extension program went beyond academics by fostering holistic growth, integrating diverse English and Filipino correspondence for barangay personnel to enhance written communication proficiency for the upgrading and professionalization of community official documents. Through the sustained efforts of the LLCH Area and the active support of the BLGU, the program created a dynamic learning environment that bridged educational gaps and empowered barangay officials to thrive in both digital and real-world settings. Local leaders and families commended the initiative, expressing enthusiasm for its long-term impact and potential for replication in neighboring communities.

The Office of the Extension Services (OES) of Southern Leyte State University successfully conducted a Seminar-Workshop on Extension Proposal Creation and Compliance on February 26, 2025, at the RIES Training Hall, 2nd Floor. The event aimed to strengthen the faculty's ability to develop and refine extension proposals in alignment with institutional guidelines, national priorities, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The seminar commenced at 8:00 AM with a prayer, the national anthem, and opening remarks delivered by Engr. Rommel Valmoria. This was followed by the seminar-workshop proper, beginning with a lecture on Crafting Extension Proposals and Compliance with Comments and Suggestions. The session was facilitated by Ms. Adelfa S. Diola, Director of Extension Services, and Ms. Adel Grace P. Gaudicos, Head of Extension Services. They provided insights into proposal structuring, best practices, and strategies for ensuring compliance with extension program requirements.

A Question and Answer session followed, allowing participants to clarify key points and address challenges in proposal development. The writeshop session, which took place from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM, provided faculty members with the opportunity to draft, refine, and enhance their extension proposals under the guidance of resource persons.

The presentation of proposals (both new and revised) took placeon the afternoon, allowing faculty members to showcase their improved project concepts. During the session, four extension proposals were presented, each addressing critical community needs and aligning with specific SDGs:

1. Enhancing Calculus Teaching: A Training Workshop for Senior High School Teachers – Aims to strengthen mathematics instruction and improve students' comprehension of calculus. Supported SDG: SDG 4: Quality Education
2. Sustainable and Safe Streets Initiative (SSSI): Enhancing Community Safety Through Street Lighting – Focuses on improving public safety and security through better street lighting infrastructure. Supported SDG: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

3. Sustainable Water Solutions: Advancing Community Infrastructure for Improved Access – Seeks to address water scarcity and enhance water infrastructure in underserved areas. Supported SDGs: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

4. Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of a Hydraulic Ram Pump in Brgy. Cawayan, Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte – Aims to provide a sustainable and cost-effective water supply solution to the community.Supported SDGs: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action.

At 4:30 PM, certificates were awarded to the resource persons in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the seminar-workshop. The event concluded with the uploading of outputs to the RIES Portal at 5:00 PM.

With the Faculty of Engineering actively participating in this initiative, the Office of the Extension Services reaffirmed its commitment to equipping faculty members with the necessary skills to develop impactful and sustainable extension projects that align with the university’s vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Office of the Extension Services (OES) of Southern Leyte State University successfully conducted a Capability-Building Seminar on Extension Proposal Creation and Compliance for the Faculty of Technology (FoT) on April 2, 2025, at the RIES Training Hall. This initiative aimed to enhance the faculty’s capacity to develop and refine extension proposals that align with the university’s extension priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A lecture on crafting extension proposals and compliance with institutional guidelines was conducted by Ms. Adelfa S. Diola, she provided valuable insights on structuring proposals, ensuring alignment with institutional and national priorities, and integrating strategies that reinforce the objectives of the SDG. An open forum followed the lecture, allowing participants to seek clarifications and engage in discussions about best practices in extension project implementation. During the writeshop session, faculty members drafted and refined their extension proposals under the guidance of the resource person, ensuring that their initiatives would be impactful, community-driven, and directly contribute to sustainable development.

In the afternoon session, the faculty presented seven extension proposals, each carefully designed to support specific SDGs. The workshop featured these seven PPAs, representing all the programs for the FoT, and highlighted their alignment with the SDGs. One such proposal, the Production of Various Food Products: Empowering Women Through Sustainable Livelihood focuses on providing women with economic independence through food production. It supports SDG 5: Gender Equality by creating equal opportunities for women and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by promoting sustainable practices in food production. This empowers women while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Project (ELECHTRA) Rehabilitation with Trainings, Repairs and Maintenance focuses on restoring and maintaining essential infrastructure while providing training to local communities. This initiative enhances technical skills, promotes sustainable practices, and ensures long-term infrastructure resilience. It aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by fostering skills development and creating job opportunities, as well as SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by strengthening infrastructure through repairs and maintenance.

Through this capability-building initiative, the Office of Extension Services reaffirmed its commitment to equipping faculty members with the essential knowledge and skills needed to implement effective and impactful extension programs. With a solid foundation in extension project development, the FoT faculty is now better prepared to foster community engagement, promote economic empowerment, and support environmental sustainability.

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) - Tomas Oppus, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tomas Oppus, conducted a Civil Service Review. The activity, titled Retooling and Capacitating the Knowledge of LGU Personnel through CSC Review, was held over three dates—February 8, 22, and 28, 2025. This was organized to help capacitate the LGU Personnel in preparing for the Civil Service Examination (CSE), which was administered on March 2, 2025.

The review focused on two essential abilities: Numerical Ability and Verbal Ability. The Numerical Ability session was led by Mr. Rolino G. Alvarez, Jr., who guided the attendees through key topics such as basic operations and word problems. The objective was to sharpen participants' mathematical reasoning skills and enhance their ability to tackle real-world numerical challenges in the context of government work. The Verbal Ability review, which covered topics such as grammar and correct usage, vocabulary, paragraph organization, and reading comprehension, was facilitated by Mr. Jayson E. Orais. Mr. Orais utilized a variety of engaging teaching techniques to help participants improve their understanding of language structure, which is crucial for effective communication in public service roles.

With the review, participants are expected to pass the Civil Service Examination and be equipped with knowledge on the said topics. These will enhance their professional capabilities as local government employees, contributing to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by fostering a more competent and effective public service workforce.