Maasin City, Southern Leyte — September 24, 2025 — Southern Leyte State University – Maasin City Campus (SLSU-MCC) successfully conducted its In-House Review and Evaluation of Research (Proposal & Completed) and Extension Papers (Proposal, Progress, Terminal) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Campus Director’s Conference Room. The activity aimed to strengthen the research and extension culture within the campus by providing a venue for critical evaluation and improvement of academic outputs.

The event formally opened with a Welcome Message delivered by Dr. Frederick C. Aniga, Campus Director of SLSU-MCC. In his remarks, Dr. Aniga emphasized the importance of research and extension work in achieving the university’s mission of community involvement and academic excellence. He encouraged faculty members and researchers to continuously engage in scholarly work that responds to the needs of society.

Following the opening message, Mr. Micheal Malachy D. Dagami, Research Coordinator, gave the Statement of Purpose. He highlighted the objectives of the in-house review, which include enhancing the quality of research and extension papers, aligning them with the university’s thrusts, and preparing outstanding outputs for regional and national dissemination.

The Foresight of the Training was then presented by Dr. Catherine M. Garcia, DBA, one of the evaluators. She outlined the significance of rigorous evaluation in ensuring that research and extension programs are impactful, sustainable, and aligned with local and national development goals. Ms. Adelfa C. Diola, Director of Extension Services and fellow evaluator, also shared insights on how extension projects can create long-term benefits for communities when rooted in data-driven planning and continuous monitoring.

The morning was dedicated to the evaluation of research proposals and completed studies. Faculty researchers presented their work before the panel of evaluators, who provided constructive feedback on research design, methodology, and relevance. The session served as an academic dialogue aimed at refining proposals and enhancing the scholarly rigor of completed studies.

In the afternoon, attention shifted to extension papers, including proposals, progress reports, and terminal reports. Presenters showcased how their projects addressed community issues through practical interventions and capacity-building activities. The evaluators assessed the papers based on criteria such as community engagement, sustainability, and impact.

Throughout the day, the evaluators commended the researchers and extensionists for their dedication and encouraged them to continue producing knowledge that uplifts lives and empowers communities.

This event reflects SLSU-MCC's ongoing commitment to fostering a dynamic academic environment where research and extension work are not only encouraged but are continually improved through critical review and institutional support.

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) – Maasin City Campus conducted a Writeshop on Extension Proposal Development on September 17, 2025. The activity gathered faculty members and extension coordinators to formulate impactful extension proposals that are aligned with research, long-term development, and national priorities.

The event was formally opened by Dr. Jonathan J. Palco, RIES Head of SLSU Maasin, who delivered an inspiring and purposeful message.

"Extension programs must not be fleeting interventions. They must be grounded in research and designed to generate long-term impact. Our responsibility is not only to serve, but to empower communities through sustainable and inclusive practices," Dr. Palco emphasized.

He encouraged the participants to align their proposals with institutional research outputs, local needs assessments, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure relevance, sustainability, and holistic development.

A key highlight of the writeshop was the introduction of the proposed umbrella extension program titled PAGLAHUTAY — Participation for Governance, Livelihood, and Holistic Upliftment Towards an Empowered Yutang Katawhan.

The PAGLAHUTAY program is envisioned as a community-centered, multidisciplinary, and sustainable extension framework that emphasizes participatory governance, strengthening community involvement in decision-making and local governance; livelihood development, promoting self-reliance through capacity-building, entrepreneurship, and sustainable income-generating activities; and holistic upliftment, addressing critical areas such as education, health, environmental awareness, and social inclusion.

Anchored on the principles of community empowerment and shared responsibility, PAGLAHUTAY aspires to become a transformative model for extension work across the SLSU system.

The program is strategically aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, as it supports livelihood projects and economic empowerment that directly address poverty alleviation in grassroots communities. It also contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by fostering skills training, entrepreneurship, and job creation, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities. In addition, it advances SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through participatory governance and civic involvement, which help strengthen institutions and build transparent, accountable communities. Depending on the specific proposals of the implementing departments, the program may also establish linkages with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education.

Under the PAGLAHUTAY framework, participants collaborated in topic groups to produce extension ideas that integrated research findings and cross-disciplinary methodologies. Before being put into effect during the next extension cycle, these recommendations will be examined and improved.

The workshop represents SLSU Maasin's calculated attempt to reinterpret extension as a long-term, participatory, and research-informed engagement. It symbolizes the university's ongoing dedication to inclusive growth, empowerment, and sustainable nation-building, going beyond simple community involvement.

Southern Leyte State University–Tomas Oppus (SLSU-TO) Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program, in collaboration with the RIES Offices from the Tomas Oppus and Main Campuses, conducted a success story shoot for the Financial Literacy for Economic Enhancement (FLEE) project in Barangay Rizal, Tomas Oppus. The activity aimed to capture and document the transformative impact of the financial literacy training provided to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries under Project FLEE.

Beneficiaries shared inspiring narratives, highlighting how the training has positively influenced their lives, families, and communities. They reported acquiring practical skills in managing finances, cultivating savings habits, exploring investment options, and venturing into small-scale businesses. Before Project FLEE, the beneficiaries had joined a community-based association. With their learnings, they applied them in their poultry business. Beneficiaries also cited lessons on budgeting, business planning, and marketing as motivators to launch income-generating activities. These developments demonstrate improved financial behaviors and signal potential for sustainable local economic growth.

This reaffirms that Project FLEE is making a tangible difference by equipping communities with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their financial futures.

The activity aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Youth empowerment took center stage as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders from across Macrohon, Southern Leyte gathered for a two-day leadership development workshop held on August 19–20 at the Macrohon Multi-purpose Court. The event, titled Empowering SK Leaders through Dialogue, Trust and Inclusion, aimed to equip young public servants with the tools and mindset needed for responsive and inclusive governance.

The workshop featured three dynamic modules:

• Effective Public Consultation and Community Engagement, which emphasized participatory planning and grassroots dialogue
• Building Trust and Addressing Community Concerns, focusing on transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership 
• Inclusive Decision Making and Social Media Utilization, highlighting the importance of digital platforms in amplifying youth voices and reaching underserved sectors

Participants engaged in interactive discussions and breakout sessions designed to simulate real-world governance challenges. This second activity under the LEAD Project encourages SK officials to embrace their roles not just as policy implementers, but as community bridge-builders.

The activity also underscored the importance of SDG 4 (Quality Education) by equipping youth leaders with knowledge and skills to address local challenges. Moreover, it contributed to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by fostering inclusive spaces where all voices—regardless of gender—were heard and valued.

The event concluded with a commitment from participants to bring the principles of dialogue, trust, and inclusion into their barangay initiatives, ensuring that youth leadership continues to be a force for positive change in Southern Leyte—echoing the global vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.