Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) successfully concluded the second day of AN HANDUM: Paglusad ngan Pagsaka para sa NwSSU, para sa Samar – A Strategic Foresight and Development Planning Series on July 22, 2026, through an online platform, further advancing preparations for the formulation of the NwSSU Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2027–2036.
Focusing on practical strategic foresight tools, the second day equipped participants with methodologies for environmental scanning, horizon scanning, and strategic mapping in preparation for the University’s onsite planning workshops.
The program opened with a Message of Support from University President Atty. Lorelie M. Fabillar-Tangaran, who underscored the importance of the HANDUM Strategic Development Planning Series in shaping NwSSU’s future. She emphasized that the Strategic Development Plan should serve not only as a planning document but as a shared roadmap that reflects the aspirations of the University community, responds to emerging challenges, and advances NwSSU’s commitment to transformative education, research, innovation, extension, and public service. She also encouraged participants to actively contribute, recognizing that every insight will help define the University’s direction over the next decade.
The first technical session, “Environmental Scanning: Register HABI – Reading the Landscape,” was facilitated by Ms. Jalaine Joyce V. Malabanan, Fellow of the Philippine Futures Thinking Society (PhilFutures). Participants examined internal and external drivers influencing higher education and regional development, including social, technological, economic, environmental, and political trends.
Ms. Malabanan also facilitated the LLLL Circle: Foresight Orientation – Register HANDUM: Scanning the Horizon, introducing participants to horizon scanning and futures thinking as essential tools for anticipating emerging issues, recognizing weak signals, and preparing for alternative futures.
This was followed by the ASCEND Agenda Mapping Unit – Register HABI: Thread Assignment, facilitated by Mr. Ramces M. Dili, Fellow of PhilFutures, who guided participants in aligning their offices and units with the University’s strategic priorities and institutional transformation agenda.
In the afternoon, participants took part in the Horizon Scanning Breakout, facilitated by Dr. Michville A. Rivera, Secretary General of PhilFutures, together with Mr. Ramces M. Dili and Ms. Jalaine Joyce V. Malabanan. Through collaborative discussions, participants identified emerging trends, disruptive forces, opportunities, and risks that may shape the future of Northwest Samar State University.
The breakout outputs were consolidated during the workshop sessions, where participants synthesized their analyses into initial strategic insights. Facilitators provided guidance to ensure that the outputs remained evidence-based, context-driven, and aligned with the University’s long-term aspirations.
To conclude the day’s activities, Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, Head of the Planning Office and Director of the Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight, conducted the Pre-Onsite Briefing and Logistics, orienting participants on the objectives, expected outputs, workshop mechanics, and logistical arrangements for the face-to-face planning sessions.
The second day reinforced NwSSU’s commitment to participatory, evidence-informed, and futures-oriented planning. The AN HANDUM Strategic Development Planning Series now transitions to the onsite workshops, where participants will translate these insights into strategic priorities, programs, and transformative initiatives that will shape the University’s development through 2036 and strengthen its contribution to the sustainable development of Samar.