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Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), through its Office of Extension Services, reviewed 39 extension proposals addressing disaster resilience, eco-tourism, livelihood, education, and health during its In-House Review 2026, held on November 10 and 11 at the RIEEA Smart Hub Conference Room on the Main Campus. Proponents from seven colleges and the Graduate School presented their proposals before a panel of evaluators composed of Engr. Deodatus G. Sagadal of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), Dr. Jose Marlon J. Refuncion Jr. of Samar State University (SSU), Dr. Ervin Rodriguez, Director of the NwSSU Innovation Office, and Ms. Toni Charm B. Calag, Director of NwSSU’s Gender and Development Services. Nineteen proposals were presented on the first day and 20 on the second. Many of the proposed projects respond to challenges already faced by Samar communities. These include rainwater harvesting systems for water-scarce barangays, renewable energy solutions for disaster preparedness, and women-led island resilience initiatives. Others focus on livelihood and agriculture, including farmer training on managing toxic elements in mine-impacted farmland in Taft, Eastern Samar, and the establishment of a sustainable agriculture cooperative in Barangay Bayo. Eco-tourism and environmental protection also figured prominently in the proposals. Among these were initiatives to expand source-to-sea eco-tourism in unserved and underserved communities, train boat operators in Paranas on financial management, and establish a no-plastic policy for pilgrims visiting Calvary Hill in Santa Margarita. Education and health-related proposals included reading support initiatives, and teacher licensure examination review programs, such as the SAGIP-KABATAAN: Capacity Building on Comprehensive Sexual Health Education, Peer Counselling, and Local Referral Network Linkages for Youth Leaders, proposed by the College of Nursing. The initiative seeks to equip youth leaders with knowledge and skills in sexual health education, peer support, and referral mechanisms, strengthening access to appropriate guidance and services for young people. Through the In-House Review, NwSSU ensures that its extension initiatives are grounded in sound project plans and responsive to the needs of their intended beneficiaries. The process reinforces the University’s commitment to delivering purposeful, relevant, and community-centered programs across Samar’s barangays, farms, and schools.

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.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) and the City Government of Calbayog conducted a foresight and tabletop workshop on El Niño–La Niña preparedness on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at the NwSSU Main Campus. The workshop comes as Samar is among the provinces PAGASA has placed under drought, with the current very strong El Niño expected to linger into 2027 and a La Niña possibly following. All four states of calamity Calbayog has declared since 2022 were for floods, which organizers said makes the shift from too little water to too much the city’s biggest blind spot. Participants from multisectoral agencies and civil society worked in five sector tables, each guided by NwSSU facilitators. The tables covered water; food and agriculture; health, education and social welfare; emergency response and public safety; and governance, budget and coordination. The day began with a “Worry Wall,” where participants posted their biggest concerns about too little and too much water. Emmanuel R. de Guia, resident futurist and consultant of the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, then gave a situation briefing on the El Niño outlook, from the global picture down to Calbayog. Participants were then guided through a Causal Layered Analysis to examine the deeper causes behind their concerns, followed by a session on four possible futures of Calbayog in 2036, which they presented through an “a day in the life in 2036” role-plays. In a backcasting session, the tables worked backward from a preferred 2036 vision to concrete first moves the city can take during the current El Niño. The highlight was the Pivot Drill, a tabletop exercise that tested the tables’ plans against fictional but realistic developments: drought at its peak, the regular dry season stacked on El Niño, and a sudden turn to La Niña flash floods and landslides. Dr. Sandro Daguman, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), played the council chair who approved or held requests for water, personnel and funds, testing the workshop’s guiding rule: “No owner, no commitment.” Lastly, each table pledged three commitments with a named lead office, deadline, and trigger. In the session, each participants signed personal 30-day commitment cards. Dr. Daguman said the next steps are to consolidate the outputs into a draft El Niño–La Niña Preparedness Plan, integrate its actions into the city’s existing plans and budgets, monitor PAGASA signals, and bring the approach to barangays and schools. In his closing message, City Councilor Marc Celino “Jormac” B. Tan thanked the facilitators and participants and said the commitments made at the tables are only the beginning. “We can do this together,” he said, adding that by acting early, working across offices and barangays, and holding one another to their promises, Calbayog can face both the drought and the floods ahead with confidence.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) students Princess Paris G. Luciano and Raymond Jun B. Ortiz represented the University in the Digital Poster Making Competition at rSCENE 2026 in Catbalogan City, with Luciano placing first runner-up. Luciano is a second year Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing (BSEMC) student. The team was guided by coaches Ronald A. Amoguez and Dr. Rolly L. Ortiz. The Regional Smart Communities Exposition and Networking Engagement (rSCENE) 2026 was initiated by the City Government of Catbalogan in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology and ran from October 6 to 8. Held under the theme “The Living Tapestry: Weaving the Threads of Innovation and Heritage,” it brought together local officials, technology practitioners, educators, and other stakeholders to present innovations and explore technology-driven approaches to local governance and community development. Luciano competed on behalf of Calbayog City, which also placed second overall in the Smart LGU Overall Championship. The team’s performance puts NwSSU’s digital design talent on the regional stage and shows what student designers can contribute to the region’s smart community efforts.

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.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) strengthened its commitment to community resilience and disaster preparedness as it hosted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for an orientation on the Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) on October 6, 2026, at the University Hotel Function Room. Organized by the Center for Local Governance and the University Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office in partnership with DSWD, the activity brought together university officials, academic representatives, extension personnel, and DRRM focal persons to explore opportunities for collaboration in disaster risk reduction, sustainable livelihoods, and community-driven development. The orientation featured discussions on the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS program, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and Sustainable Livelihood Program. Ms. Susana F. Urmeneta, Team Leader of DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS, together with Francis C. Batula and Jinky Rose A. Merino and Maria Christina L. Manicani of DSWD, shared insights on community-driven initiatives that promote preparedness, sustainable livelihoods, and resilience among vulnerable communities. The discussions centered on the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project, a national initiative designed to help communities address disaster risks, environmental challenges, and economic shocks through participatory development and locally driven solutions. The orientation also provided an avenue for university representatives to explore how NwSSU’s academic programs, research initiatives, and extension services can contribute to community-based resilience efforts. The activity concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and translating the insights gained into initiatives that support disaster preparedness, sustainable development, and safer, more resilient communities. Through partnerships with national agencies and local stakeholders, NwSSU continues to advance its A.S.C.E.N.D. commitment to responsive education, meaningful extension services, and inclusive community development.

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.

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.

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar — Civil and mechanical engineers in Eastern Visayas may soon have greater access to flexible, industry-responsive learning opportunities as Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) and Mapúa University move toward a collaboration on upskilling programs and micro-credentials. The proposed initiative is envisioned to provide engineers with more accessible pathways to strengthen their competencies while continuing their careers and professional responsibilities. Through online, face-to-face, or blended learning modalities, the planned programs seek to respond to the evolving needs of engineers and the industries and communities they serve. Flexible learning opportunities can help reduce geographic and logistical barriers that may prevent professionals from participating in specialized training programs traditionally concentrated in major urban centers. Micro-credentials can provide professionals with focused opportunities to develop specific competencies without necessarily having to enroll in lengthy academic programs. The planned offerings may also provide opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit, giving practicing engineers additional avenues to pursue professional growth and maintain relevant competencies. On September 1, representatives from NwSSU (Engr. Teodoro Amatosa Jr.) and Mapúa University (Engr. Eira Camus) met to review and refine the proposed Collaboration Agreement in preparation for its implementation. The Collaboration Agreement is targeted for completion within September, with the first possible program delivery eyed for February 2027. Initial offerings are expected to focus on civil and mechanical engineering professionals in Region VIII, with the potential for the programs to eventually reach professionals in other parts of the country. The potential benefits also extend to employers and other stakeholders. since engineering practice continues to evolve alongside emerging technologies, digitalization, sustainability requirements, advanced construction methods, automation, and changing industry standards.  A workforce equipped with current and specialized skills can help organizations adapt to technological developments, changing standards, and emerging demands in the engineering sector. For government agencies, private companies, and other organizations involved in infrastructure and development, stronger professional capacity can contribute to improved planning, design, implementation, and management of projects and services.   At the community level, the initiative could contribute to strengthening the capacity of professionals who play vital roles in infrastructure development, disaster resilience, transportation, water systems, energy, manufacturing, and other areas essential to regional growth. The proposed collaboration therefore goes beyond providing additional training options. It reflects an effort to make lifelong learning more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the realities of professionals in the region. As NwSSU continues to strengthen its role in advancing professional development and serving the needs of its communities, initiatives such as this can help create stronger connections between higher education, industry, and the workforce.