Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) strengthened its role in advancing Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight in Eastern Visayas following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a one-year preparatory partnership for the development of a regional futures and foresight framework.
The MOU was signed on September 16 at the EVSU’s Graduate Programs Function Hall, bringing together NwSSU, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Regional Office VIII (DEPDev VIII), and the Department of Budget and Management Regional Office VIII (DBM VIII).
Representing NwSSU, University President Atty. Lorelie M. Fabillar-Tangaran signed the agreement alongside EVSU President Dr. Dennis C. De Paz, DEPDev VIII Regional Director Meylene C. Rosales, and DBM VIII Regional Director Imelda C. Laceras, represented by DBM VIII Budget and Management Specialist Carl Patrick H. Bernardo.
The partnership establishes groundwork for coordination, capacity-building, and the proposed Eastern Visayas Futures and Foresight Framework (EVFFF). It is anchored on the Concept Paper, “The Paglusad, Pagsaka, and Pagsaad of Eastern Visayas: A Foresight-to-Policy Framework,” and responds to the policy directions under Republic Act No. 12145, or the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, as well as the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023–2028 Midterm Update.
For NwSSU, the partnership further advances the University’s institutional commitment to Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight through its Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight (CFTSF).
Leading the University’s foresight initiatives is Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, Head of the Planning Office and Director of the Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight, who represented NwSSU’s institutional foresight work during the regional partnership.
Through the CFTSF, NwSSU has been strengthening its capacity to apply Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight to institutional planning, development, innovation, and decision-making. The University’s continuing efforts seek to cultivate an anticipatory approach to emerging challenges and opportunities and support more forward-looking strategies for institutional and regional development.
The regional MOU provides NwSSU with an avenue to contribute its institutional experience in foresight while collaborating with academic institutions and government agencies in developing approaches that can support evidence-informed and future-oriented regional planning.
The initiative brings together academic and government institutions in establishing groundwork for the proposed Eastern Visayas Futures and Foresight Framework, which aims to strengthen the integration of foresight approaches into regional development and policy processes.
Also present during the signing were Dr. Jovito B. Madeja, Director of the EVSU Institutional Planning and Development Office; Jensen D. Rico, Supervising Economic Development Specialist of DEPDev VIII; and Emmanuel R. De Guia, Resident Futurist.
The partnership reflects NwSSU’s continuing efforts to expand its role beyond traditional academic functions and contribute to strategic conversations on the future of Eastern Visayas. By strengthening Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight, the University contributes to building institutional and regional capacities to anticipate change, examine alternative futures, and develop more responsive strategies for long-term development.
Through the collaboration, NwSSU reaffirms its commitment to innovation, strategic planning, and partnerships that support sustainable and future-oriented development in Eastern Visayas.