The Faculty of Business and Management of Southern Leyte State University–San Juan Campus officially launched its extension project titled “Strengthening Business Management Principles and Practices towards a more Progressive Cooperative (SBMPC) Batch 1” through a financial literacy training conducted on May 31, 2025, at Barangay Magbacagay, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte. This activity marked the initial rollout of the project and was actively participated in by members of the Saint Bernard Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SBMPC).

The training aimed to enhance the financial capabilities of cooperative members by covering key topics such as budgeting, savings, basic accounting, and responsible financial decision-making. Faculty members from the Business and Management Department served as resource persons, delivering practical and interactive sessions tailored to the specific operational needs of the cooperative. Participants expressed appreciation for the training’s relevance, recognizing its importance in improving both their personal financial literacy and their contributions to the cooperative.

Project SBMPC reflects SLSU–San Juan Campus’s strong commitment to promoting community-based development through impactful extension initiatives. By equipping cooperative members with essential business and management skills, the University plays an active role in building more transparent, sustainable, and resilient local economic institutions.

This activity aligns with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Dr. Ines Falcon, faculty member of Southern Leyte State University-San Juan Campus, presented her paper titled “Improved Knowledge and Skills of Barangay Officials in Record Management and Reporting through Productivity Software: A Field Report” during the 2025 Philippine Association of Extension Program Implementers (PAEPI) International Extension Congress held on June 10–13, 2025 at the Del Carmen Convention Center, Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

The congress provided a platform for educators, extensionists, and researchers to share their community engagement initiatives and promote innovations in extension work. Dr. Falcon’s paper highlighted the outcomes of a field-based extension activity aimed at enhancing the capacity of barangay officials in record management and reporting through the use of productivity software.

Her presentation underscored the significant improvement in the technical skills and efficiency of local officials following the implementation of the project. The initiative also emphasized the role of ICT tools in promoting transparent and organized barangay administration.

The participation of SLSU-San Juan Campus in the international gathering affirms the University’s commitment to advancing community development and sharing best practices in extension service delivery.

This event aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education), No. 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Southern Leyte State University–San Juan Campus, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Saint Bernard launched “Empowering Communities: Streamlining Water Billing with E-Payment Automation on February 12, 2025. This project is an extension initiative under the project “Sustainable Holistic Approach in Rehabilitating and Empowering Society through Information Technology (SHARE IT)” the university’s flagship program that leverages digital solutions to enhance local governance and public service efficiency. Led by the program leader Ms. Jerry Mae G. Abrigana, with the Faculty of Information Technology Department, the project was developed in response to the request of Honorable Edit L. Mulig to modernize the municipality’s water billing system.

The System is designed to automate water consumption computation, send billing statements via SMS, securely manage online payments, and generate financial reports with data analytics to improve decision making. IT replaces manual processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in water billing transactions. Additionally, the platform enables invoice generation, payment processing, receipt issuance, streamlining operation for LGU personnel and consumers while ensuring a more reliable and accessible payment systems.

Aligned with the government’s digital transformation agenda, SLSU-San Juan continues strengthening its extension programs that empower local government units and industries. Through initiatives like the water billing with e-payments system, the university fosters collaboration, digital transformation, and research-driven solutions that contribute to economic growth and public service efficiency, reaffirming its roles as a catalyst for innovation and progress in the region.

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Nos. 4 (Quality Education), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Southern Leyte State University–San Juan Campus strengthened its commitment to innovation and intellectual property awareness through the successful conduct of “Patent It Right: Seminar-Workshop on Patent Documentation and Drafting Techniques” held on April 10–11, 2025 at the Student Center. The event was specifically organized for third-year Industrial Technology students and faculty members, aiming to equip them with essential knowledge and technical skills in patent documentation.

The seminar-workshop was a collaborative initiative of the Industrial Technology Department, the Research and Innovation Office of SLSU-San Juan Campus, and the Innovation and Technology Support Office. It featured distinguished resource speakers Dr. Aiza L. Caseñas, Dr. Angel T. Sabusap, and Mr. Jerome Jack O. Napala, all seasoned patent drafters who provided in-depth lectures on intellectual property rights, patentability criteria, and the structure of patent documents.

Participants engaged in hands-on sessions and practical exercises on patent claim writing, technical specification drafting, and prior art searching. These activities allowed students and faculty to transform their creative ideas into structured patent applications while understanding the strategic importance of protecting their innovations through proper documentation.

The successful implementation of this activity reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of innovation, particularly among its future technologists and educators. By empowering its academic community with the tools to navigate intellectual property processes, SLSU-San Juan Campus continues to lead in shaping a research-oriented, innovation-driven educational environment.