Author: Joseph Renor Obrino

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Calbayog City, and San Jorge will hold tabletop and scenario workshops this October to prepare for the El Niño–La Niña phenomenon. DOST-PAGASA has warned that the ongoing El Niño is expected to intensify into a very strong event and persist through the first half of 2027. El Niño generally brings warmer temperatures and below-normal rainfall across much of the country, increasing the risk of dry spells and drought, although heavy rainfall and flooding may still occur during tropical cyclones and other rain-bearing weather systems. The agreement came out of an October 12, 2026, coordination meeting among NwSSU’s Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight (CFTSF), the University Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council, and officials from both local government units. Representatives from the water, agriculture and fisheries, energy, and health sectors, along with barangay officials and University representatives, will take part in the tabletop exercises and scenario-planning workshops. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed Samar under drought since September and expects it to last through March 2027, while still anticipating three to five tropical cyclones. Calbayog has declared a state of calamity four times since 2022, all because of floods. Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, CFTSF Director and Head of the Planning Office, said the LGUs hold the authority to declare a state of calamity, release quick response funds, and order evacuations, while NwSSU contributes data, research, and a neutral venue for planning. Resident Futurist Emmanuel R. de Guia said the greatest danger lies in the handover between drought and flood, when a city must shift from saving water to evacuating families. “Foresight is not predicting the storm. It is deciding, while it is quiet, who will do what when it comes,” he said. The workshops will use scenarios, early-warning signals, and a map of who may declare rationing, begin flood readiness, or release funds, guided by the ground rule “No owner, no commitment.” NwSSU will provide weather-station data, research, and facilitation, building on its 2023 and 2025 flood-risk agreements with Calbayog and extending them to drought and to San Jorge. Both LGUs also asked for scenario planning, community information materials, and GIS mapping and climate modeling. The schedule and venues will be announced soon. Assigning clear owners before the next weather shock will help Calbayog and San Jorge turn forecasts into timely decisions for their communities.

NwSSU BS in Development Communication students received the 2nd best Film Award in the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) Category for their film “Butig” at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Eastern Visayas PelikuAgraryo Regional Film Festival 2026 Awards Night on October 12 in Palo, Leyte. PelikuAgraryo featured films from five participating schools across Eastern Visayas, which showcases stories the experience of agrarian reform beneficiaries and their organizations. With the theme “Tinig ng Lupang Malaya: Kwento at Aral-Agraryo, Butil na Pamana sa Kabataan,“ this year’s festival highlighted the importance of sharing agrarian reform stories with younger generations and promotes film as a medium for raising awareness of agrarian reform initiatives and sharing stories of rural communities.

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar — Looking beyond institutional borders, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Marinduque State University (MarSU) and the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking explored shared pathways in research, innovation, extension, and futures thinking during a three-day exploratory and benchmarking visit on October 5–7, 2026. The visit brought together the higher education institutions to exchange practices and explore areas for institutional collaboration, particularly in research, innovation, extension, futures thinking, and strategic foresight. The engagement was also designed to provide opportunities for technical presentations, roundtable discussions, and benchmarking of institutional programs and initiatives. The three-day activity began with a courtesy visit to the Calbayog City Mayor on October 5. On the second day, the MarSU delegation, led by Ms. Lenie P. Zulueta, Executive Assistant III of MarSU, together with Mr. Emmanuel R. De Guia, Resident Futurist and representative of the Philippine Futures Thinking Society and Senator Pia S. Cayetano, proceeded to NwSSU for a courtesy visit with University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, and key University officials. The program featured presentations on NwSSU’s research, innovation, and extension programs, as well as its planning, futures thinking, and strategic foresight initiatives. The latter was presented by Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, Head of the Planning Office and Director for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight. Discussions then moved toward a roundtable on areas of mutual interest and collaboration, allowing the participating institutions to identify opportunities for joint initiatives and knowledge exchange. This was followed by the drafting of terms for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and its ceremonial signing, formalizing the institutions’ intent to pursue collaboration in identified areas. The second day also included a campus tour and site visits at the NwSSU Main Campus, giving the visiting delegation an opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the University’s facilities, programs, and institutional operations. On the final day, October 7, the delegation proceeded to the NwSSU San Jorge Campus for a site visit before concluding the activity with a send-off. The exploratory visit strengthens opportunities for inter-institutional exchange and sets the groundwork for future partnerships between NwSSU and MarSU in advancing research, innovation, extension, and futures-oriented institutional development.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), through the College of Education, held its School-Based Field Study Orientation and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing for School Year 2026–2027, bringing together university officials, representatives of the DepEd Schools Division of Calbayog City, school principals, faculty members, field study advisers, and student-teachers. The activity prepared student-teachers for their deployment to cooperating schools, where they will observe actual classes and learn directly from teachers, learners, and school communities. NwSSU President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM urged the student-teachers to uphold professionalism and integrity, ensure safety and respect, and practice adaptability and empathy throughout their field study. Dr. Jun Nilo Dulfo, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent–OIC, delivered a message on behalf of Dr. Joel A. Zartiga, PhD, CESO VI, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent and Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent. Dr. Ma. Maria Lucil H. Dollado, Dean of the College of Education, welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of the field study experience. A highlight of the program was the MOA signing between NwSSU and its partner schools, formalizing their shared commitment to provide meaningful and guided school-based experiences for future teachers. Also taking part in the activity were Dr. Joy Saldaña, Education Program Supervisor for Science, representing Dr. Renato S. Cagomoc, CID Chief; Dr. Josephine L. Gallardo, Division Student Teaching Coordinator; and Atty. Ma. Cecil Candida Yabao-Rueda, University Legal Officer, who discussed the Safe Spaces Act. The student-teachers were formally endorsed to their cooperating schools and oriented on important policies, school concerns, and responsibilities they are expected to observe during their field study. Through the activity, NwSSU, the DepEd Schools Division of Calbayog City, and cooperating schools strengthened their partnership in preparing future teachers for the realities and responsibilities of the classroom.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) brought its teaching and non-teaching staff together for a three-day In-Service Training from September 9 to 11, 2026, at Villa Cruz Resort, San Roque, Northern Samar. The training opened with a GCash orientation led by Mr. Amed Macabit, who introduced the platform’s features for faster, easier, safer, and cashless transactions for university services and personal errands. He shared that NwSSU is now one of the first State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region 8, along with Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), to partner with GCash, in line with the government’s vision to build a more digital Philippine nation under Executive Order 170. Mr. Macabit noted that the University’s own GCash QR code will be launched soon, enabling students to pay for services through GCash and supporting the disbursement of student subsidies, scholarship allowances, and personnel funds through an NwSSU institutional wallet with real-time reporting and monitoring. NwSSU constituents will also receive a free GCash card once launched. University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, delivered a message and institutional updates centered on the “N” in the University’s ASCEND Framework — nurturing human resources. She emphasized the need to upskill in the age of AI to provide better, transformative, and globally competitive education, noting that competitiveness also means being relevant and responsive. She underscored that AI should be treated as a tool, not a replacement, calling for assessments and methods to be realigned to develop students’ critical thinking, alongside policies and guidelines that evolve with the times. She announced that the University’s new vision and mission statements will be launched soon, geared toward digital transformation — beginning with an assessment of processes that could be digitalized or automated, the establishment of a centralized digital platform, and updates to university manuals and the university code. She also called for stronger safety and security measures through preventive and proactive steps, guided by the ASCEND and ACHIEVE frameworks, and asked for the community’s support in performing their duties toward the University’s institutional targets. Dr. Teodoro A. Amatosa, Jr., Vice President for RIEEA, presented the Source-to-Sea Framework, anchored on NwSSU’s geographic and academic mandate along the ecological continuum of Samar, with focus areas in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, maritime affairs, fisheries, and advanced technologies. He identified gaps in infrastructure, leadership, and siloed academic operations, and outlined plans to streamline internal procurement systems, activate grant support and mentoring mechanisms, and create incentives for research productivity, envisioning NwSSU as a Research-Led University delivering on its mandate of Resilience, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. He also introduced the Triple Helix Ecosystem as the University’s guiding model for innovation and development programs, with NwSSU set to develop its own research and extension agenda harmonized with stakeholders and national R&D frameworks. Dr. Archie B. Lauderes, Director of Extension Services, discussed the DBM Joint Circular guidelines on faculty reclassification, common areas where faculty applications fall short, and ways to address them moving forward, alongside updated procedures under the revised Extension Manual. Mr. LJ A. Magnaye, Director of Research Services, guided participants on structuring research papers for publication, from establishing a clear research gap to presenting a solution, emphasizing clarity and simplicity over jargon. He also shared how AI tools can support research writing, literature review, and presentation, and walked participants through selecting appropriate journals based on scope, reach, indexing, metrics, article processing charges, peer review process, and turnaround and acceptance rates. He cautioned participants against predatory journals, citing red flags such as unusually rapid reviews or acceptance rates, hidden fees, fabricated editorial boards, and clone journals that falsely use the logos and names of legitimate organizations. Day 2 highlighted a keynote lecture on artificial intelligence in education, “From Prompt to Pedagogy: AI-Enabled Teaching, Learning & Assessment for the Future – Ready Educator,” delivered by resource speaker Dr. Las Johansen Caluza. The afternoon session covered key policy and compliance topics, including a talk on nihilistic violent extremism by PLtCol. Alden E. Dugan, the University’s gambling prohibition policy, an orientation on student off-campus requirements, and international travel guidelines, alongside updates on quality assurance and procurement processes for SUCs. The training concluded on September 11 with team building activities for the NwSSU teaching and non-teaching staff, capping a program designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and institutional alignment of the University’s workforce as NwSSU continues to advance its commitment to service, integrity, and excellence.     For more photos, view the full album here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/183EDbCmAGwXA4gNZ66bNb46kXNs2r9pt?usp=sharing

Community-based and women-led organizations from four Samar municipalities gathered at the NwSSU Hotel and Restaurant on September 1 and 2, 2026, for a workshop aimed at strengthening their capacity to respond to climate and disaster-related risks. The workshop, titled “Participatory Risk and Resource Mapping, Stakeholder Analysis and Capacity Assessment for Climate Disaster Resilience and Organizational Development.” brought together community-based organizations (CBOs) and women-led organizations (WLOs) to validate and deepen earlier profiling results, identify capacity development needs across the ecosystem’s local government units, and begin shaping a capacity building program suited to their context. The workshop unfolded in stages: participatory surfacing activities on Day 1, followed by consolidation and validation through key informant interviews on Day 2 morning, and concluding with the prioritization of training needs and the co-creation of a capacity building program on Day 2 afternoon. Ms. Gina Dean facilitated several of the workshop’s key sessions on Day 1. She led the discussion on understanding CDR and the salient points of Republic Act 10121, guided participants through participatory resource mapping and hazard identification, and co-facilitated the Social Network Analysis and Stakeholder Influence and interest sessions alongside with Mr. Ian Mark Nibalvos. By the end of the day, discussions were brought together in a synthesis session, consolidating the issues, capacities, gaps, and emerging training needs that surfaced throughout the day. The activity was conducted under the Governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Gov-CDE) Project, a six-year, a CAD-funded initiative running from 2024 to 2030 and implemented by Alinea International in partnership with the National Resilience Council and national government agencies to strengthen climate and disaster resilience across the Philippines. Samar Province is one of the project’s priority areas, implemented locally through Alinea Philippines. On the workshop’s second day, Dr. Teody Amatosa, NwSSU Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension, welcomed the CBOs and WLOs of Gandara, Matuguinao, San Jorge, and Pagsanghan on behalf of NwSSU President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, together with the Gov-CDR team of Alinea Philippines. By opening its doors to the workshop, NwSSU lent its support to an effort that reaches beyond training; one that equips local organizations with the tools to face climate and disaster-related challenges on their own terms, long after the workshop tables are cleared.

Leaders of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) gathered at the University of Rizal System (URS) Morong Campus for the 3rd SUCs Executive Forum, which officially commenced on September 1, 2026, under the theme “Building Smart SUCs Through Collaborative Leadership, Digital Innovation, and Institutional Excellence.” Spearheaded by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III, the three-day forum runs until September 3, 2026, and aims to institutionalize modern frameworks and foster digital adaptation among among State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). The conference opened with a warm reception led by URS President Dr. Nancy T. Pascual, alongside kumustahay moments with other SUC leaders. Highlights of the opening sessions included the State of the Commissioner’s Address (SOCA), delivered by Commissioner Apag III, and the highly anticipated launch of the SMART SUCs 2030 Framework, which outlines a comprehensive digital ecosystem and development roadmaps for local public universities over the next decade. Key activities lined up for the executive forum include the OCDRA Election for Executive Officers, managed by PSAU President Dr. Anita G. David, and a dedicated “SMART SUCs Excellence Showcase” featuring institutional breakthroughs from Bukidnon State University, Davao Oriental State University, and the University of Antique. SUC leaders, including NwSSU President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, also joined the President’s Roundtable Discussion. NwSSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Romeo B. Santos, together with Mrs. Maria Lourdes Mae V. Billate, Ms. Jireh S. Fortaleza, Mr. Redem D. Tingzon, and Ms. Miel Rosse C. Solayao, participated in technical talks on the SMART University Ecosystem led by BEFIED GROUP Chief Executive Mr. Ryan Soh. The subsequent days of the forum will focus heavily on governance and compliance, covering technical workshops on board protocols, CHED-OIQAG universityhood status led by Dr. Lora L. Yusi, and Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) guidelines under Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes. Technical staff will also run specialized presentation and workshop tracks covering crucial internal platforms, such as the Travel Authority System, E-Agenda, and the SUCs Profiling Integrated System, ensuring that operational and administrative efficiency scales uniformly across all participant institutions. The forum is scheduled to wrap up on September 3 following an open forum, a community exhibition networking night, and a general thanksgiving mass hosted by the University of Rizal System.

CALBAYOG CITY, SAMAR — This October 18, hundreds of applicants and police officers across Eastern Visayas will take the PNP Entrance Examination, PNP Promotional Examinations, and the Police Executive Service Eligibility–Written Examination (PESE-WE). For those taking the exams in Calbayog City, that journey will be made easier as Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) opens its doors as an examination venue. The arrangement is made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NwSSU and the National Police Commission Regional Office VIII (NAPOLCOM RO8), bringing together education and public service in a partnership that benefits not only the two institutions, but also the people they serve. Making the Journey Easier For examinees, one of the biggest benefits is simple: convenience. Applicants and police officers from Calbayog City and nearby communities can take their examinations closer to home. A more accessible testing venue means less travel time, lower transportation costs, and less stress—giving examinees more time and energy to focus on preparing for an important career milestone. A Stronger Partner for NAPOLCOM For NAPOLCOM RO8, having NwSSU as a partner provides a reliable and accessible venue for conducting examinations. Such partnership was forged during the ceremonial MOA signing on Augst 28 at the NwSSU’s President’s Boardroom which was executed by Atty.  Lorelie Facbillar-Tanagran, University President and Atty. Risty N. Sibay, NAPOLCOM 8 Regional Director.  With its classrooms and facilities, the university can help support a testing environment that is safe, orderly, and conducive to examinees. This partnership also strengthens NAPOLCOM’s connection with the academic community and creates an avenue for future collaboration.   Growing Through Service For NwSSU, the partnership is an opportunity to put its resources and academic environment in the service of the community. By hosting national examinations, the university strengthens its role as more than a place for learning. It becomes a space where people can take important steps toward their professional goals. The partnership also allows NwSSU to deepen its relationship with a government agency and gain greater exposure to the needs and realities of public service. These connections can open possibilities for future collaborative activities in education, training, research, community engagement, and other areas that can benefit students and the wider community.  In this way, the university’s involvement reflects its commitment to being an active partner in community and nation-building—using its facilities, people, and expertise to create opportunities for others.