SLSU-MCC Hosts Writeshop on Extension Proposal Development, Launches "PAGLAHUTAY," a Research-Based, Long-Term Community Program
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) – Maasin City Campus conducted a Writeshop on Extension Proposal Development on September 17, 2025. The activity gathered faculty members and extension coordinators to formulate impactful extension proposals that are aligned with research, long-term development, and national priorities.
The event was formally opened by Dr. Jonathan J. Palco, RIES Head of SLSU Maasin, who delivered an inspiring and purposeful message.
"Extension programs must not be fleeting interventions. They must be grounded in research and designed to generate long-term impact. Our responsibility is not only to serve, but to empower communities through sustainable and inclusive practices," Dr. Palco emphasized.
He encouraged the participants to align their proposals with institutional research outputs, local needs assessments, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure relevance, sustainability, and holistic development.
A key highlight of the writeshop was the introduction of the proposed umbrella extension program titled PAGLAHUTAY — Participation for Governance, Livelihood, and Holistic Upliftment Towards an Empowered Yutang Katawhan.
The PAGLAHUTAY program is envisioned as a community-centered, multidisciplinary, and sustainable extension framework that emphasizes participatory governance, strengthening community involvement in decision-making and local governance; livelihood development, promoting self-reliance through capacity-building, entrepreneurship, and sustainable income-generating activities; and holistic upliftment, addressing critical areas such as education, health, environmental awareness, and social inclusion.
Anchored on the principles of community empowerment and shared responsibility, PAGLAHUTAY aspires to become a transformative model for extension work across the SLSU system.
The program is strategically aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, as it supports livelihood projects and economic empowerment that directly address poverty alleviation in grassroots communities. It also contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by fostering skills training, entrepreneurship, and job creation, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities. In addition, it advances SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through participatory governance and civic involvement, which help strengthen institutions and build transparent, accountable communities. Depending on the specific proposals of the implementing departments, the program may also establish linkages with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education.
Under the PAGLAHUTAY framework, participants collaborated in topic groups to produce extension ideas that integrated research findings and cross-disciplinary methodologies. Before being put into effect during the next extension cycle, these recommendations will be examined and improved.
The workshop represents SLSU Maasin's calculated attempt to reinterpret extension as a long-term, participatory, and research-informed engagement. It symbolizes the university's ongoing dedication to inclusive growth, empowerment, and sustainable nation-building, going beyond simple community involvement.
