SLSU, LGU Liloan Sign MOA for Establishment of SLSU Extension Classes in Panaon Island
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), together with the Local Government Unit of Liloan, Southern Leyte, formally marks another milestone in expanding access to higher education through the Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing for the establishment of the SLSU Extension Classes in Liloan, held today, June 10, 2026, at the Municipal Hall of Liloan, Southern Leyte.
Key officials of the University and local leaders of the Municipality of Liloan participate in the ceremonial signing, signifying a shared commitment to bring accessible, affordable, and quality tertiary education closer to the learners of Panaon Island.
The establishment of the SLSU Extension Classes in Liloan holds the approval of the SLSU Board of Regents through BOR Resolution No. 181, adopted on December 11, 2025. Envisioned as a CHED-compliant extension class arrangement, the initiative initially serves learners from Panaon Island, particularly from the municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo. This launch directly responds to the long-standing absence of a higher education institution on Panaon Island, addressing the needs of a significant population and a growing number of learners who aspire to pursue a college education but face constraints from distance, transportation costs, and financial limitations.
Under the approved proposal, the extension classes are targeted to begin in Academic Year 2026–2027 with two initial program offerings: the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Major in Programming, which is Level IV re-accredited, and the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, which is Level III re-accredited. The pilot implementation accommodates one section per program, with a maximum of thirty (30) students per section, bringing the initial total enrollment to sixty (60) students.
The initiative is supported by the readiness of the Municipality of Liloan, including the acquisition of a five-hectare property intended for SLSU, the construction of classrooms, the provision of access road and educational infrastructure, and the availability of additional temporary classrooms through a Tripartite MOA involving LGU Liloan, the Department of Education, and Liloan National Technical-Vocational High School.
In her message, Hon. Mayor Jonna C. Adan, Municipal Mayor of Liloan, emphasized that the partnership goes beyond infrastructure and institutional expansion, describing it as an investment in the youth and the future of Panaon Island.
“This initiative is more than a project. It is a legacy – a legacy that every parent hopes to give their children: the gift of education. It is an expression of love, sacrifice, and dedication, not only from the parents to their children but from the government to its people.”
Mayor Adan also underscores that the signing marks only the beginning of a larger responsibility.
“As we sign this agreement today, let us remember that it is only the beginning. There is still much work ahead of us… But with unity, collaboration, and a shared purpose, I am confident that we will build an institution that will stand as a beacon of hope and progress for the generations to come.”
Dr. Jude A. Duarte, President of Southern Leyte State University, highlights the data-driven and socially responsive basis of the initiative. He notes that Panaon Island has long been underserved in terms of tertiary education access, with only a small portion of the population having attained a college education.
“It is really very alarming – only 10% in Panaon Island have a college education at present. Imagine, only 10%. It is because of the absence of a college or university here in Panaon Island.”
Dr. Duarte also clarifies that the University’s move to open extension classes in Liloan is rooted not in institutional expansion for its own sake, but in social responsibility.
“It is not really our intention to have seven campuses. But because of the facts presented, we feel it is our social responsibility to respond to the need of Panaon Island. We are really obliged to open a campus here in Liloan.”
He further emphasizes that the future SLSU presence in Liloan is expected to create a socio-economic ripple effect across the locality.
“Access to education makes us employable. The moment you are employable, we have salaries. The moment you have salaries; you have purchasing power. The moment you have purchasing power; it will signal business to open up.”
Dr. Duarte also recognizes the pivotal role of local and national leadership in making the initiative possible, particularly praising the efforts of Hon. Congressman Christopherson M. Yap, whom he describes as instrumental in the opening of the SLSU extension program in Liloan.
For his part, Hon. Christopherson M. Yap, Congressman of the Second Congressional District of Southern Leyte, describes the ceremonial signing as a significant beginning, while reminding stakeholders that the ultimate goal remains the establishment of a regular SLSU campus in Liloan.
“The job is not yet done because we are not yet a regular campus. The job is not yet done. There is still a long way to go for that.”
Congressman Yap, however, expresses optimism that the MOA signing is a strong step forward.
“At least we have already begun, and beginning is usually the hardest part. With this, we now have a starting point. This is a legacy – our gift to the people of Liloan.”
He also stresses the transformative role of education in breaking cycles of poverty and opening new opportunities for families.
“Material things may be lost, but education can never be taken away. At least a person will have the chance to recover and improve his or her life.”
Congressman Yap ends his message by emphasizing that access to education is fundamentally access to a better life.
“Access to education is access to a better life for our people.”
Hon. Vice-Mayor Shirlita Y. Chong expresses deep gratitude to the leadership of Southern Leyte State University and affirms the local government’s hope that the initiative will continue to grow in the years ahead.
“We are deeply thankful to the leadership… and to the faculty and staff of Southern Leyte State University for believing in the potential of Liloan and for extending your educational service to our community.”
Vice-Mayor Chong also highlights the relevance of these initial programs to the development direction of both the municipality and the region.
“This initiative equips our young people with knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the tourism and digital industries – two sectors that hold tremendous potential for economic growth and development in our municipality and the region.”
She further expresses hope that more academic opportunities will eventually be offered in Liloan.
“We hope that this is only the beginning and that more academic programs and opportunities will be offered in Liloan, enabling more students to pursue their dreams without leaving their hometown.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Constantino G. Medilo, Jr., Vice-President for Academic Affairs of SLSU, frames the initiative as a shared responsibility among the University, the local government, national leaders, and the community.
“This ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement is more than just a formal activity. It is a commitment to access, commitment to quality, commitment to service, and shared responsibility.”
Dr. Medilo also connects the initiative directly to the long-term vision of the University.
“This initiative is strongly anchored on the vision of Southern Leyte State University. SLSU envisions that by 2040, we will be a leading higher education institution that advances knowledge and will be known for innovation and compassion for humanity.”
He emphasizes that extending the services of SLSU to Liloan gives concrete meaning to the University’s vision of compassion and inclusivity.
“Inclusivity will not be achieved if Southern Leyte State University will not extend its services down to the roots, where its services are very much needed.”
Dr. Medilo also acknowledges that establishing extension classes requires sustained preparation, strict compliance, and rigorous quality assurance, particularly in relation to CHED requirements.
“Establishing extension classes is not simply a matter of opening classrooms; it requires academic readiness… access to education must always be matched with quality, credibility, and accountability.”
On behalf of the University, he affirms SLSU’s commitment to continue working through the remaining requirements.
“We commit to prepare for the CHED monitoring visit. We commit to comply with the required documents. We commit to protect academic quality. And most importantly, we commit to serve the constituents of Liloan and the people of the province by providing access to quality tertiary education.”
The SLSU Extension Classes in Liloan are expected to provide immediate, affordable, and accessible higher education opportunities to the learners of Panaon Island, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the long-term legislative pursuit of a full-fledged SLSU–Liloan Campus. Furthermore, the initiative supports the University’s mandate as the province’s state university by extending academic opportunities to underserved communities, strengthening SUC-LGU collaboration, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable local development.
As the University and the Municipality of Liloan move forward from this ceremonial signing to full implementation, the partnership stands as a concrete expression of shared governance, public service, and educational equity – anchored firmly on the belief that quality higher education should be brought closer to the people who need it most.