SLSU Conducts Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi: Mid-Year Performance Review and Dialogue
Sogod, Southern Leyte – August 18, 2025. The Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), through the University Planning and Development Office, spearheaded the conduct of Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi: SLSU Mid-Year Performance Review and Dialogue at the Ballroom of Hotel De SLSU. The event convened key officials, campus directors, planning officers, deans, and unit heads across the six campuses to collectively assess the University’s performance for the first half of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and to chart forward strategies for the remainder of the year.
Anchored on SLSU’s Strategic Development Plan 2025–2029, LUPAD: Ascending of the Mighty Kingfishers, the mid-year review was designed to uphold the University’s accountability as a state-funded higher education institution and steward of public trust. The activity provided a structured and participatory platform for performance evaluation, root cause analysis, and evidence-based corrective planning.
In his welcome message, University President Dr. Jude A. Duarte emphasized the importance of aligning both outputs and outcomes with the University’s institutional goals. “We’ve set our targets for the year 2025, school calendar year 2025–2026 primarily to ensure accomplishments of our goals. That is hitting desired outputs. But not only outputs but the outcomes as well. We need to attain the desired impact on our respective areas,” he remarked. He stressed that Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi serves as a venue to identify strengths, uncover areas needing improvement, and implement corrective measures.
Dr. Duarte further underscored the need to examine return on investment in initiatives such as internationalization and research, asking whether resources are yielding commensurate value. He also challenged the University community to embrace excellence and avoid mediocrity, noting that the dialogue provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding performers and to understand the reasons behind underperformance. “If we fall short of our desired goals perhaps we need to do much better in the next six months, and if we exceeded expectations, we need to strategize on how to sustain and elevate further,” he said. Calling on every campus, faculty, and staff to commit fully to their responsibilities, he highlighted that the most meaningful rewards in academe are not material but intangible—self-esteem, self-worth, and sense of purpose. He concluded with a rallying call: “So let’s make the most of today’s Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi, find out how we can elevate our university towards greater heights. LUPAD SLSU!”
In his Statement of Purpose, University Planning and Development Director Mr. Leo A. Omamalin emphasized that institutional performance is both a mandate and a financial lifeline for SLSU. He recalled that in FY 2024, the University posted exceptional results—Physical Performance at 133.95%, Disbursement and Obligation Budget Utilization Rates at 99.25%, and Income Performance at 100.29%. These outcomes directly influenced the Department of Budget and Management’s recommendation of ₱924.901 million for SLSU in the FY 2026 National Expenditure Program, including ₱169.175 million in Capital Outlay—the highest allocation since the institution’s conversion into a university in 2004. “Our performance creates not only public value—it also creates peso,” Mr. Omamalin remarked, underscoring how accountability translates to resources that fuel the University’s growth.
A major highlight of the activity was the presentation of the University’s financial performance by Mr. Robin Ariel F. Sumaya, Budget Officer III, who discussed the Budget Utilization Rates (BUR) under the Regular Agency Fund, Internally Generated Fund, and Business-Related Funds. The absorptive capacity of the University was carefully reviewed and disaggregated by campus to ensure transparent and accountable fund management.
The University’s physical performance as of June 30, 2025, was presented by Ms. Jona Mae C. Espere, Planning Officer III, who reported on accomplishments relative to the General Appropriations Act (GAA)-mandated targets. The delivery of Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) in Higher Education, Advanced Education, Research, and Technical Advisory and Extension Services was assessed, providing a clear picture of the University’s accomplishment level vis-à-vis government’s socio-economic agenda.
Central to the dialogue was the assessment of institutional performance against the targets of the Strategic Development Plan 2025–2029 (LUPAD: Learning, Unity, Progress, Achievement, and Dynamism). Functional areas—Academic Affairs; Research, Innovation, and Extension; Student and Auxiliary Services; Administration and Finance; and Support to Operations—presented their mid-year accomplishments, validated their performance data, and triangulated results across different units and campuses. In each area, participants identified enabling factors that facilitated the achievement of targets, as well as gaps and unmet indicators that required corrective action. This rigorous gap analysis allowed leaders to examine root causes of underperformance, ranging from resource limitations to process bottlenecks. The exercise also generated catch-up strategies and remedial measures aimed at ensuring stronger alignment with institutional goals in the second half of the year.
The essence of Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi was not only in the presentation of data but in the dialogue and collaboration that followed. The open forum and workshop sessions enabled participants to engage in candid discussions, share insights, and propose forward-looking interventions. These exchanges fostered a spirit of shared accountability and collective problem-solving. Participants also recalibrated their targets for the period July to December 2025. The adjustments ensured that the University’s commitments remain realistic, measurable, and aligned with the LUPAD framework, as well as with regional and national development thrusts. The dialogue culminated in the crafting of action plans tailored to address specific challenges, improve absorptive capacity, accelerate PPA delivery, and strengthen cross-unit collaboration. These plans will serve as the University’s operational roadmap for the remainder of FY 2025.
At its core, Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi reaffirmed SLSU’s culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and institutional resilience. It underscored that performance review is not merely a compliance exercise but a proactive mechanism to ensure responsiveness, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of the University’s programs and services. As articulated in the rationale of the activity, the review represents “a reaffirmation of SLSU’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, institutional resilience, and strategic alignment with the development priorities of both the region and the nation.”
The day-long activity concluded with the consolidation of findings, commitments, and strategies. With renewed focus and shared responsibility, SLSU’s top and middle management reaffirmed their resolve to pursue excellence in instruction, research, extension, administration, and student services. Through Pagsusi ug Pakighinabi, the University not only measured its progress but also strengthened its foundation for the future—ensuring that it continues to LUPAD (Learn, Unite, Progress, Achieve, and Dynamize) as the “Mighty Kingfishers,” soaring with clear direction, strong collaboration, and steadfast dedication to its mission of delivering quality higher education and responsive public service.
