Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) played a critical role in regional economic collaboration by joining the Eastern Visayas Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Summit 2025. The event was held on December 5, 2025, at The Tropics at McArthur in Palo, Leyte.
As one of the valued SSF cooperators, NwSSU was represented by Mrs. Ivy B. Aligam, Supervising Administrative Officer, and Mr. Jake B. Calagos, Director of the Integrated Multimedia and Communications Office (IMCO). Their participation reflected NwSSU’s commitment to addressing challenges and shaping actionable solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development through local SSF Programs.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the summit united SSF partners across Eastern Visayas to celebrate achievements, share best practices, and explore opportunities for business growth and networking. The SSF Program is designed to empower MSMEs and boost their productivity by providing access to essential machinery, equipment, tools, and skills.
NwSSU currently manages two SSFs for Food Processing across both its campuses and is preparing to launch an upcoming SSF for a Digital Fabrication and Printing Production Center. This highlights its potential role as a catalyst for economic innovation in the region.
The summit commenced with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the SSF Photo Gallery and Region 8 Product Special Setting, led by DTI Regional Director Dr. Celerina T. Bato. Opening remarks emphasized collaboration, featuring messages of support from regional directors and focal persons. Attendees then delved into an agenda that blended reflective discussions with forward-looking strategies.
Mr. Artemio T. Almazan III, OIC of the Chief of the Business Development Division (BDD), provided an overview of the summit’s goals, followed by Mr. Alfee Rei Galapon, Chief Trade Industry Development Specialist (CTIDS), who presented the SSF Physical and Financial Accomplishments. An open forum concluded the morning session, allowing stakeholders to voice concerns, with DTI’s Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) pledging national action to address regional challenges.
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The afternoon session featured the event’s highlight: the presentation of the Best SSF Project Award 2025 from the SSF Programs across Eastern Visayas’ six provinces. A “Fast Talk” segment then showcased insights from the Region 8 Best SSF 2025 Nominees, offering inspiration for scalable models in various sectors, including digital manufacturing.
NwSSU’s representatives actively participated, sharing expertise on best practices and strategies concerning presentation, usufruct agreements, ownership transfer, and local MSME development. As academic cooperators, they focused on the integration of academic resources with industry needs.
The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to the Region 8 Best SSF Project 2025 awardee and the panel judges. The awardee’s acceptance speech highlighted the transformative potential of partnerships, while the judges emphasized the importance of adaptability in sustaining MSME competitiveness.
The SSF Summit 2025 not only celebrated progress but also outlined a roadmap for resiliency and inclusive growth. By nurturing interaction among academia, government, and industry, events like this strengthen the SSF Program’s impact, turning challenges into opportunities.
NwSSU’s proactive role signals its evolution from an educational institution to a key regional development partner, ready to equip MSMEs with the means to thrive in an evolving economy. As Eastern Visayas embraces innovation and collaboration, the summit’s outcomes promise a brighter future for local enterprises and communities across the region.