News and Events

March 21, 2025 — In its third stop across Central Visayas, Northwest Samar State University visited FABLAB Cebu Technological University (CTU) Danao to further enhance its knowledge on innovation and fabrication practices marking a meaningful milestone in NwSSU’s journey to establish its own state-of-the-art fabrication laboratory. The NwSSU delegation was warmly welcomed by CTU-Danao officials, led by Dr. Rose Mary L. Almacen, Campus Director, alongside Delia G. Sabio, NSTP Director; Engr. Jayson G. Bayogo, Adviser of the Engineering Society; and Dr. Joshlen B. Lim from the Information, Communications, and Public Affairs (ICPA) Office. Their guidance provided valuable insights into the facility’s operational strategies and community-oriented programs. The benchmarking activity allowed the NwSSU representatives to gain insights on FABLAB CTU-Danao’s efficient practices. The delegation observed how the facility supports student clients in prototyping projects, cultivating innovation from the ground up. Additionally, the FABLAB has shown promotion of sustainability through upcycling initiatives and played an essential role in the local creative industry by offering livelihood training programs. These workshops empower local entrepreneurs and artists, helping them turn ideas into marketable products. Beyond serving the local community, the fablab also addresses the university’s internal needs by supporting institutional multimedia production. This capability aligns with NwSSU’s goal of improving its own multimedia publication and technology-based initiatives. The NwSSU team commended the outstanding hospitality shown by CTU-Danao throughout the visit, highlighting the warm reception and collaborative spirit that fueled productive discussions and exploration on future partnerships. With this another benchmarking activity completed — following earlier visits to FABLAB Bohol and FABLAB UP Cebu — NwSSU is now equipped with a more knowledge and inspiration to guide the establishment of its own fabrication laboratory. The university remains dedicated to turning these insights into reality, promoting innovation, empowering its academic and local community, and driving sustainable development in Eastern Visayas. This marks not an end, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter for NwSSU’s vision of progress and ingenuity.

CEBU CITY — To enhance its innovation and fabrication capabilities, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) conducted a benchmarking activity at FABLAB UP Cebu on March 20, marking the second stop in a series of visits across Central Visayas. The visit provided NwSSU representatives with key insights into the operations of Fablab UP Cebu, which primarily caters to students in arts and design, architecture, and related fields. The facility also engages in government-to-government transactions, accommodates senior high school interns in specialized disciplines during SHS work immersion, and extends services to private corporations. A designated manager oversees training programs to ensure skill development and industry alignment. Fablab UP Cebu representatives, including Manager Jonessa Abayon, Administrator Ma. Janica Marcellana, and Resident Maker Mark Cortez, guided the NwSSU delegation through the facility, showcasing its advanced fabrication tools and processes. They demonstrated how students and professionals utilize cutting-edge equipment to bring innovative designs to life and facilitated discussions on best practices, operational strategies, and potential collaborations. Their engagement highlighted the importance of fostering creativity, technical expertise, and industry linkages in advancing innovation. By exploring partnerships and best practices, NwSSU aims to enrich its academic, research, and multimedia publication initiatives. With this visit following an earlier benchmarking at FABLAB Bohol, NwSSU continues to pursue excellence in education, fabrication, and innovation. The university’s commitment to expanding its publication capabilities and exploring new frontiers in innovation is expected to have a positive impact on its students, faculty, and the wider community, driving growth, creativity, and progress in the region.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) continued its mission to guide students in making informed career choices by participating in the Division School-Based Orientation on Career Guidance Program (CGP) and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) at Calbayog City National High School (CCNHS) on March 19, 2025. The initiative aimed to equip Grade 10 and Grade 12 learners with essential knowledge on higher education opportunities and professional pathways. The event featured discussions led by experts from multiple sectors, including NwSSU, providing students with valuable insights into university programs and career options. Mr. Shian Morallos introduced NwSSU’s diverse academic offerings, giving an overview of the university’s programs, highlighting NwSSU’s Environmental Science program, and walking the students through the admission process. Another key focus of the orientation was NwSSU’s nursing program, with College of Nursing Dean Dr. Bianca Genel B. Bedio and other nursing faculty members presenting an in-depth discussion on the curriculum, career prospects, and the critical role of nurses in the healthcare industry. Their session emphasized the prospects for healthcare professionals and encouraged students to consider nursing as a future career path. Through its continued participation in the career guidance program, NwSSU empowered students with essential knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures. By providing students with a comprehensive understanding of higher education opportunities and career pathways, NwSSU aims to inspire and motivate students to pursue their passions and achieve their full potential. The successful event marked another milestone in NwSSU’s commitment to supporting students in their transition from high school to higher education, ensuring they receive the guidance needed to pursue their academic and professional aspirations. By fostering partnerships with local schools and communities, NwSSU continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of education and career development in the region.

March 19, 2025 — In a strategic move to revolutionize the university’s multimedia production, Northwest Samar State University conducted a benchmarking activity at FABLAB Bohol, the country’s pioneering fabrication laboratory housed at Bohol Island State University. The visit provided NwSSU Officials with key insights into the lab’s management systems, operational workflows, innovative practices, and production experiences. These learnings are expected to guide NwSSU in establishing its own fabrication laboratory while enhancing its income-generating projects and technological initiatives. FABLAB Bohol stands as a model of innovation-driven development. It was established through a collaboration among the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and BISU. Operating under BISU’s Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) division, the facility has become a vital platform for the students, faculty, and researchers to advance their skills in digital fabrication, prototype development, and innovative project implementation—strengthening BISU’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Darlene Angelica A. Loquias, Head of University Publication at BISU, delivered remarks on behalf of BISU’s Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension. She expressed BISU’s support for NwSSU’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in helping the university establish its own fabrication laboratory—guided by the shared academic spirit of resilience, integrity, service, and excellence. Dr. Jerome P. Manatad, University Director for FABLAB Bohol, highlighted the lab’s extensive services and its success in positioning BISU as a regional hub for innovation, supporting both academic projects and local industry growth. With a strong interest in fostering collaboration, BISU and FABLAB Bohol expressed their readiness to support NwSSU by sharing expertise and best practices that could significantly contribute to NwSSU’s capacity-building efforts and future innovation projects. NwSSU’s benchmarking visit marks a significant step toward expanding the multimedia production and development initiatives, laying the groundwork for growth in communities in Eastern Visayas. The visit to BISU’s FABLAB Bohol is the first of several benchmarking activities lined up for NwSSU, as the university is set to visit other institutions in Central Visayas in the coming days to gather more insights for the development of its own FABLAB.

Faculty members from the Bachelor of Science in Development Communication and Bachelor of Science in Criminology programs of the College of Criminal Justice and Sciences (CCJS) conducted an outreach activity on campus journalism and a campaign against bullying and school-related threats at Panoypoy Integrated School on Monday, March 17, 2025. The event aimed to educate elementary and junior high school students on responsible campus journalism and to raise awareness about bullying and school-related threats. The outreach included a series of lectures and workshops designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to practice ethical journalism and to promote a safer school environment. BSDevCom faculty members led the session on campus journalism, which focused on media laws and ethics, the basics of news writing, feature writing, photojournalism, science journalism, and writing for broadcast. The lectures emphasized the role of student journalists in fostering a well-informed school community. Meanwhile, BSCrim faculty members conducted lectures and a workshop on identifying and addressing bullying and other threats in school settings, emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents and supporting peers. Gender and Development Office Director, Mrs. Ma. Gemma L. Tapel, also lectured about the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the Bawal Bastos Law. The activity was also attended by faculty members from the Bachelor of Science in Industry Security Management, Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, and College of Education, Human Resource Development Officer – Main Campus, Ms. Jenith T. Salem, and the Dean of the College of Criminal Justice and Sciences, Dr. Armando A. Alviola. Through this outreach activity, the students gained valuable knowledge and skills on responsible campus journalism and anti-bullying strategies, enabling them to become more responsible and empathetic members of their school community. The distribution of hygiene kits and slippers also promoted a sense of well-being and inclusivity among the students. The outreach activity reflects the commitment of the NwSSU BSDevCom and BSCrim faculty to promote responsible communication and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for students. By empowering students with the knowledge and skills to address social issues, the faculty members aim to create a positive impact on the students’ lives and contribute to the development of a more informed and compassionate society.

The Committee on Anti-Red Tape Authority (CART) of the Northwest Samar State University recently held an online re-orientation aimed at reinforcing the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11032 and other relevant Anti-Red Tape (ARTA) issuances on March 19, 2025. The event was designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of key anti-red tape measures and guidelines. Key topics covered during the session included a brief overview of RA 11032, the Committee on Anti-Red Tape, the Report Card Survey 2.0, and the Whole-of-Government Reengineering Manual. Additionally, the orientation delved into the Citizen’s Charter, the Harmonized Client Satisfaction Measurement Guidelines, and the Zero Backlog program—all vital components in ensuring improved service delivery and transparency in government transactions. Through this online re-orientation, the university’s CART aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to uphold the goals of RA 11032. As a result, the university expects to see significant improvements in service delivery, including reduced processing times, increased transparency, and enhanced public satisfaction. By streamlining its processes and eliminating unnecessary red tape, the university aims to provide better services to its stakeholders, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and effective public service. The successful implementation of RA 11032 is expected to have a positive impact on the university’s operations, enabling it to provide faster, more efficient, and more transparent services to its students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the university aims to create a more conducive environment for learning, research, and community engagement.

Palo, Leyte – On March 12, 2025, the Regional Development Council – Social Development Committee (RDC-SDC) officially endorsed 23 priority programs and projects from the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) during a meeting held at the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) – Regional Office VIII. The endorsement marks a significant milestone for the university, which presented the second-highest number of implementation-ready proposals among the institutions reviewed. This achievement ensures that NwSSU is aligned with the Policy Management Guidelines and adheres to all relevant legal issuances as part of the rigorous process for securing funding under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposals, which span various key areas of infrastructure development, and academic, and research advancement, were thoroughly vetted by the university’s Planning and Development Services Office (PDSO) to ensure their feasibility and compliance with national development goals. This endorsement represents an important step toward further strengthening the university’s contribution to regional and national growth, as well as providing much-needed funding to enhance educational services and infrastructure for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Procurement Unit of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) took a significant step towards enhancing its capabilities by participating in a training program on the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The program, titled “Procurement in Transition: Aligning with the NGPA,” was held on March 13-14 at the GPPB-TSO Bldg. in Quezon City. The training program aimed to equip the Procurement Unit with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the new procurement landscape under the NGPA. The delegation, led by Dr. Ramil S. Catamora, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chair, and Ms. Florliza A. Morilao, Procurement Unit Head, actively participated in lectures, Q&A sessions, and online assessments to maximize their understanding of the NGPA. The NGPA, also known as Republic Act No. 12009, was enacted to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in government procurement. It governs the procurement process for all branches and instrumentalities of the national government, including state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local government units. With the enhanced capabilities of the Procurement Unit, NwSSU is expected to benefit from improved procurement processes, increased transparency, and accountability. The NGPA’s streamlined procurement process, new procurement modalities, and emphasis on sustainable procurement will enable the university to achieve better value for money while minimizing environmental impact.

In support of the National Women’s Month with its theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) Office of Gender and Development successfully conducted a Free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) for its women students and employees on March 13-14, 2025, at the RSU-Socio Cultural Center. This initiative, in collaboration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Calbayog, aimed to equip women with essential knowledge and driving education, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. The program commenced with an opening ceremony featuring an audio-visual presentation and a welcome address by Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension. Mr. Jilmar Badion, LTO Calbayog Head, emphasized the importance of accessible driving education in improving women’s mobility and road safety. Following the opening program, attendees went through a lecture session on Introduction to LTO RA 4136 and RA 10930 conducted by Francies Jony O. Barandino. This was then followed by the presentation on traffic rules and regulations and Land Transportation Related Special Law conducted by Peter Jade S. Tarrayo. The session was designed to impart an in-depth understanding of these laws and their implications. The program concluded with a final written exam assessing the participants’ understanding of the topics discussed. By completing this training, participants are now better equipped to obtain a driver’s license, promoting inclusivity and independence among NwSSU’s students and employees.  This initiative demonstrates NwSSU’s commitment to promoting gender equality and women empowerment, providing opportunities for women to develop valuable life skills.