Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has formally joined the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region VIII Planner’s Network through a three-year partnership aimed at strengthening local land use planning and promoting sustainable, resilient, and futures-informed communities.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 29, 2026, during the 2026 Eastern Visayas Zoning Conference held in Palo, Leyte.
Under the agreement, NwSSU will provide technical assistance to Local Government Units (LGUs) in the preparation of Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and Zoning Ordinances. The collaboration will also cover training and capacity-building initiatives, research development, policy dialogue, and the formulation of plans and projects that support sustainable community development.
Through this partnership, NwSSU will contribute its academic expertise, research capabilities, and strategic foresight initiatives to help local governments strengthen their planning processes and transition from risk-informed to futures-informed land use planning.
The collaboration highlights the University’s commitment to extending its knowledge and resources beyond the academe, supporting local institutions in anticipating future challenges and developing responsive, inclusive, and resilient communities.
With this three-year partnership, NwSSU reinforces its role as an active partner in regional development, advancing forward-looking planning approaches that help shape a more sustainable future for communities across Eastern Visayas.
