3rd SUCs Executive Forum Commences at URS; Sets Path for Digital Transformation with Smart SUCs 2030 Framework

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

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.

Opening Doors for Stakeholders: NwSSU – NAPOLCOM RO8 Partnership Paves the Way for New Opportunities

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

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.

Congratulations to our New Registered Guidance Counselors!

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

The Northwest Samar State University Graduate School and the entire MSGC Family joyfully congratulate the following successful examinees of the 2026 Registered Guidance Counselor Licensure Examination: Arjay Beduya Collamar Marian Maceda Lluisma Angelica Canete Turla Your passion, perseverance, and dedication to the counseling profession have brought you to this well-deserved milestone. As you step into the field, may you continue to embody compassion, integrity, and excellence in guiding and empowering the lives you will touch. Congratulations, and welcome to the ranks of Registered Guidance Counselors! NwSSU is proud of you.

Powering Up Opportunity: NwSSU Launches JOBS NEXT HUB

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

Thirty computer units were successfully turned over at the University President’s Board Room on August 19, 2026, as Northwest Samar State University formally received the equipment from the Provincial Local Government Unit’s Public Employment Service Office (PLGU-PESO), marking the launch of the university’s newest facility: the JOBS NEXT HUB. The turnover was simple, but its purpose is far-reaching. The hub was established to give NwSSU alumni, local jobseekers, and community members a shared space to build digital skills and connect with employment opportunities, using resources many would otherwise have limited access to. For graduates, the hub offers a dedicated workspace to refine portfolios and ease the shift from student life into the workforce. For jobseekers in the community, it opens the door to drafting resumes, applying for local and remote positions, and navigating online employment platforms. And for residents simply looking to build their digital literacy, the facility offers a starting point to grow more comfortable navigating an increasingly online job market. The hub’s role won’t stop at providing equipment. It is expected to host career workshops, upskilling sessions, and technical training in the months ahead, positioning it as an ongoing resource rather than a one-time initiative. The partnership between NwSSU and PLGU-PESO reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to digital tools and employment support in the province, one that university officials hope will translate into real opportunities for the community it serves.

NwSSU, DOJ-PPA Partner for Parolee Reintegration Program

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar — Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) and the Department of Justice–Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA) Region VIII signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Thursday, August 13, 2026, to launch a reintegration program for parolees and probationers. The one-year initiative marks the second phase of a collaborative partnership designed to provide skills development, employment opportunities, and community support for rehabilitated individuals. NwSSU President Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran and DOJ-PPA Region VIII Regional Director Ma. Beverly D. Ampo formalized the agreement. Under the said MOA, beneficiaries will undergo competency-based vocational training. Courses include food processing, agri-business, basic house wiring, and driving. The program also features certification opportunities, job search assistance, and direct linkages to local employers. NwSSU will provide project resources, including funding, manpower, training venues, and monthly learning sessions. The university has also committed on-campus space for hands-on work experience and entrepreneurial development. DOJ-PPA Region VIII will identify qualified clients, manage case supervision, and facilitate connections with families and partner organizations. The agency will handle all participant data in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The initiative also includes individualized coaching, family reintegration sessions, mentoring, and community restorative service programs.

NWSSU RECEIVES FOUR RECOGNITIONS FROM DBM REGION VIII

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) received four recognitions from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Region VIII during the FY 2026 Mid-Year Performance Dialogue for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), CHED, and TESDA on August 19, 2026, at the DBM Regional Office VIII Conference Hall in Marasbaras, Tacloban City.   The recognitions were given in acknowledgment of the University’s performance in income collection, physical performance, income utilization, and reportorial compliance. NWSSU was recognized with the following: Income Collection Award – for achieving a 134.57% income collection rate, exceeding its target collection for FY 2025; Physical Performance Achiever – for attaining 100% of the Physical Performance Indicators under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act; Income Utilization Performance Award – for achieving a 61.30% average income utilization rate for FY 2021–2025, placing 3rd among SUCs in Region VIII; and Reportorial Compliance Award for the 1st and 2nd Quarters of FY 2026 – for the complete and timely submission of the required Budget and Financial Accountability Reports (BFARs), with a 100% compliance rate covering all 24 required reports. The awards reflect the University’s continuing efforts in financial management, efficient utilization of resources, and compliance with government reporting requirements. NWSSU extends its appreciation to the administration, faculty, staff, and offices whose collective efforts contributed to these accomplishments. Congratulations, NWSSU!

NwSSU New Leadership Forges Ahead: Strengthening Ties with Mapua, TUP, and PUP

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

In a series of high-level engagements held on July 16, 2026, the new leadership of Northwestern Samar State University (NwSSU) took its first major steps toward reinforcing strategic partnerships with three of the country’s leading higher education institutions — Mapua University, Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran and Vice President for Research, Innovation, Extension, and External Affairs (RIEEA) Dr. Teody Amatosa led the exploratory discussions, which were arranged by Mr. Tingzon as part of the Project and Development Office’s (PDO) continuing efforts to sustain and deepen NwSSU’s ties with fellow State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). The engagement with Mapua University served as a formal introduction of NwSSU’s new leadership to the Mapua team, opening the floor for a recalibration of existing collaborative ties. Central to the discussion was the review and strengthening of Project HARIGI, a co-creation initiative between NwSSU and Mapua, with both parties working toward its approval and eventual implementation. Beyond HARIGI, the two institutions explored possibilities for further co-creation, including micro-credentialing programs and transnational exchange initiatives — signaling a broader ambition to diversify the scope of their partnership. At the meeting with TUP, discussions centered on strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two universities, beginning with introductions of NwSSU’s new leadership to the TUP team. A key agenda item was the involvement of TUP’s Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) in the certification process for NwSSU’s own ETEEAP assessors — a move expected to enhance the quality and credibility of NwSSU’s equivalency assessment mechanisms. The two institutions also opened talks on potential joint research initiatives, laying the groundwork for future academic collaboration. The engagement with PUP likewise began with an introduction of NwSSU’s new leadership, followed by discussions on recalibrating and strengthening the partnership between the two institutions. Echoing the conversation held with TUP, NwSSU and PUP explored the co-creation and co-implementation of a certification process for NwSSU-ETEEAP assessors. The discussion further extended to collaborative opportunities in establishing NwSSU’s Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) program, Technology Business Incubator (TBI), and other emerging initiatives. Across all three engagements, a common thread emerged: the University’s commitment to sustaining and expanding meaningful collaborations that support its academic, research, and innovation agenda. With President Fabillar-Tangaran and VP Amatosa at the helm of these discussions, NwSSU signaled a clear intent to build on existing foundations while charting new areas of cooperation with its partner institutions. The engagements mark an early but significant milestone for the university’s new leadership, reflecting a proactive approach to institutional partnership-building.

NwSSU Conducts Institutional Preparatory Meeting for FY 2024 Performance-Based Bonus Evaluation

Posted on by Joseph Renor Obrino

Calbayog City, Samar — Demonstrating its commitment to institutional excellence and accountability, the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), under the leadership of Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, University President, conducted the Orientation and Institutional Preparatory Meeting on the FY 2024 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) Guidelines, held through the Planning and Development Services Office, in preparation for the University’s upcoming national evaluation and validation process. The meeting was convened in response to the issuance of Executive Order No. 61 Technical Working Group Resolution No. 2026-1 and Memorandum Circular No. 2026-1, which prescribe the guidelines for the grant of the FY 2024 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB). University officials, including Vice Presidents, College Deans, Directors, Unit Heads, Campus Administrators, and representatives from concerned offices, were oriented on the updated eligibility requirements, scoring system, four performance assessment dimensions, agency accountability measures, documentary requirements, and validation procedures. As the FY 2024 PBB is anchored on the University’s performance during Fiscal Year 2024, the activity likewise recognized the collective efforts of the University’s officials, faculty, and staff during the previous administration, whose stewardship guided the implementation of the programs, projects, and institutional initiatives that now form the basis of the current performance evaluation. The present administration continues this commitment by ensuring that all documentary requirements are properly consolidated, validated, and submitted in accordance with national guidelines. A major focus of the meeting was the University’s preparation for the submission of documentary requirements to the validating agencies on or before the prescribed deadline of 28 July 2026. Participants emphasized the importance of ensuring full compliance, as NwSSU will undergo a comprehensive evaluation covering Performance Results, Process Results, Financial Results, Citizen/Client Satisfaction Results, and Agency Accountabilities, all of which determine the University’s eligibility for the FY 2024 PBB. The orientation was facilitated by Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, Planning Officer and University PBB Focal Person, who discussed the updated PBB guidelines, assigned office-specific responsibilities, established internal submission timelines, and strengthened inter-office coordination to ensure the timely completion and validation of all required documents. The activity reflects NwSSU’s commitment to good governance, recognizing the accomplishments  to uphold transparency, accountability, and results-based public service. Through this collaborative approach, the University remains steadfast in its pursuit of organizational excellence and compliance with national government performance standards.