SLSU holds Program LUPOY Orientation with PESO Managers and Community Beneficiaries

Southern Leyte State University conducted the Program Orientation for Program LUPOY: Lupoy-based Utilization for Product Optimization for Relief, Nutrition, and Livelihood Support in Southern Leyte on June 19, 2026, with the participation of the PESO Managers from the municipalities of Padre Burgos, Bontoc, Tomas Oppus, and Sogod, together with identified community beneficiaries.

The activity served as an important platform to introduce the goals, components, and expected outcomes of Program LUPOY, a university-led initiative designed to strengthen food security, nutrition, disaster resilience, and livelihood opportunities in coastal communities through the sustainable utilization and value-added processing of Lupoy.

Southern Leyte State University expressed its gratitude to Hon. Rod Ivan Pano, Municipal Mayor of Tomas Oppus, for warmly welcoming the participants and supporting the conduct of the orientation. In his welcome message, Mayor Pano emphasized the importance of initiatives that contribute to food security, community livelihood, and local development, particularly for coastal and resource-based communities in the province.

The program discussion and overview were spearheaded by Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, Publication and Extension, who presented the direction of Program LUPOY, highlighting its role in transforming Lupoy, a traditionally underutilized marine resource, into value-added food products for relief, nutrition, and livelihood support. She emphasized that the initiative also focuses on strengthening community capacity in product development, packaging, branding, marketing, and commercialization to ensure sustainable livelihood outcomes.

An expert input and facilitation of the open forum was led by Dr. Jimmy Salamida of the Bontoc Campus, who provided technical insights and actively guided the discussion, addressing questions from the PESO Managers and beneficiaries. His engagement helped clarify implementation pathways and strengthened the understanding of the program’s technical and community-based components.

Program LUPOY covers key project components, including livelihood training and capacity building for Lupoy fish-based products, value-added Lupoy product development, and the transition from production to sustainable livelihood. These components aim to help community beneficiaries improve their technical skills, develop market-ready products, and establish stronger opportunities for income generation.

Also present during the orientation was Ms. Maria Dahlia A. Gabriana, Focal Person of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program in the Province, who expressed her strong support for the project. She also engaged with the participating associations, discussing possible areas of collaboration and support to help strengthen the livelihood potential of the beneficiaries.

The orientation marked an important step in aligning the efforts of SLSU, local government units, PESO offices, DOLE, and community associations toward a shared goal of promoting sustainable livelihood and food security in Southern Leyte.

Through Program LUPOY, Southern Leyte State University continues to advance its commitment to research, innovation, extension, and community development by bringing science-based solutions closer to the people and by helping communities transform local resources into meaningful opportunities for resilience and inclusive growth.