Southern Leyte State University - Tomas Oppus (SLSU-TO) conducted a hands-on training session on formulating the Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP) using the online Procurement Management Information System (PMIS) for Fiscal Year 2025 on October 30, 2024, at the Mini-Theater.

Fund administrators, end users, and office clerks attended the training. Led by Information Systems Analyst Engineer Samuel D. Tumaub and Mr. Nestnie Honrada, the university’s Head of Information Systems, the session provided participants with practical demonstrations on how to input items into the PPMP online format. This hands-on experience equipped attendees with the necessary skills to apply PPMP principles effectively in their respective projects.

In her welcome address, Ms. Judy O. Paz, Supervising Administrative Officer, emphasized the university's commitment to innovation, efficiency, and accountability in managing the procurement process. She stated, “This initiative embodies our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and accountability in managing the procurement process starting in fiscal year 2025." She further added that "as rapid digital transformation shapes industries worldwide, the academe is not exempt. With this training, we are embracing advancement and equipping our institution with a robust, streamlined system that replaces the traditional, paper-heavy procurement planning process."

Ms. Paz continued, “This training is essential for enhancing digital literacy, enabling everyone to be involved and to make well-informed, data-driven decisions. More importantly, this hands-on experience will foster confidence in independently managing procurement activities, aligning with our goals and standards.” She also highlighted that the primary goal of the training was to ensure that all participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the PMIS.

In the host’s introductory lines, Ms. Azel Rose M. Cabel, underscored the significance of procurement in the Philippine government. “Procurement is crucial for several reasons: it ensures that our public funds are used efficiently and effectively, promotes transparency and accountability, and helps us meet the needs of the people and the organization as a whole.”

In the training proper, Engineer Tumaub provided an in-depth discussion on the operation of the PMIS and demonstrated the process for inputting items into the PPMP. Mr. Nestnie Honrada offered additional guidance and support throughout the session.

Dr. Norla Grace A. Betarmos, the faculty dean, concluded the training by summarizing key takeaways and acknowledging the efforts of the Information Systems team at SLSU for their contributions to making the PMIS more accessible. “Embracing changes like this will make us better. The highest form of learning is being able to teach others,” she remarked.

This training workshop is part of the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance its project management capabilities, ensuring the effective use of resources and alignment with national priorities.

Southern Leyte State University-Tomas Oppus (SLSU-TO) recently hosted a writeshop led by Dr. Don Eliseo Lucero Prisno III, one of the world’s top 2% scientists, focusing on policy analysis and epidemiology for publishable research on October 28, 2024, at the Theater.

The event featured Dr. Don Eliseo Lucero Prisno III, SLSU RD-LEAD, a globally recognized scientist and founder of Global Health Focus, along with his assistant Jericho Ogaya; Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services (OVPRIES) Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy; RI Director Marie Khul Langub; Campus Director Dr. Clemente H. Cobilla; Head of Research, Innovation, and Extension Services Dr. Mark B. Galdo; and several faculty members and visiting instructors. The writeshop focused on equipping faculty with tools and data, including Scopus-indexed resources, to develop publishable research on policy analysis and epidemiology.

Dr. Prisno, facilitated the writeshop as part of the National Research Council of the Philippines’ Research Development Leadership and Advancement Program for Development (NRCP-RD LEAD), supporting participants in refining unpublished works submitted at the campus In-House RIES Review and Evaluation.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy celebrated the university’s growing research output, noting, “We already have 66 papers published,” and highlighted SLSU's milestone achievement of hiring 19 research assistants to support faculty across campuses. Dr. Sy also commended SLSU-TO for contributing six Scopus-indexed publications.

“Our main goal is to position the university as a globally ranked, research-intensive institution with a mission to impact society and humanity positively,” Dr. Prisno emphasized, underscoring the university’s vision. He also highlighted the leading Philippine Higher Education Institutions ranked in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and reminded participants of the critical role of research in defining a university. “One of the pillars of a university is to produce knowledge through research. If you are not doing that, you are not truly embracing the concept of what a university is,” he stated.

Dr. Galdo, Head of RIES, presented his research on Navigating the Filipino Education Curriculum in HEIs Towards a Contextualized Pedagogical Model Across Disciplines. This was followed by Mr. Jose C. Agoylo, the corresponding author, who presented the paper Deep Learning for Real-Time Filipino Sign Language Recognition: Towards Empowering Deaf Communities, authored by Jilbert C. Bation, with Engineer Efren J. Balaba as a co-author.

The writeshop highlighted the need to strengthen the education system and drive innovation to attract investments for national development. The training aimed to enhance faculty researchers' skills in policy analysis and epidemiology, promoting high-quality research for future journal publications. This event is aligned with the SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG:9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) – Tomas Oppus Campus buzzed with energy on October 26, 2024, as the third and culmination day of Project WIKANTALK unfolded. Building on the success of previous sessions, this day focused on “USAP 3: Tutula ka't Masaya: Malikhaing Pagsulat ng Patula,” emphasizing creative writing in poetry.

The third session was led by Dr. Analiza M. Nares, who motivated participants with her insights into the art of poetic expression. Her engaging approach encouraged educators to explore the emotional depth and cultural significance of poetry.

In the afternoon, Dr. Mark B. Galdo reflected on the collaborative spirit that has characterized Project WIKANTALK from its inception. A highlight of the culmination program was a video presentation that showcased the events from Day 1 to Day 3, which featured interviews with participants who shared their experiences and insights about the project. This visual recap not only celebrated the journey but also highlighted the profound impact the workshops had on their teaching practices.

Dr. Isidro C. Catubig, Chief Education Supervisor of the Department of Education in Southern Leyte, delivered an inspirational message that focused on the importance of creativity in education. Following Dr. Catubig, Dr. Hilda Olvina, Education Program Supervisor for Filipino, expressed her gratitude to all involved in the project, the SLSU and the Department of Education. Engr. Khorina Aguilar, Director of Extension Services, echoed this sentiment, which affirmed the project's commitment to empowering educators.

A significant moment of the event was the official launch of the PAJAG: Dyornal ng Malikhaing Akda , aimed at providing a platform for educators and students to publish their creative writings. The event also featured the oath-taking of the editorial board for the PAJAG Journal, which includes esteemed faculty from both the Department of Education and SLSU. This ceremony marked an important step in establishing a collaborative effort to nurture and showcase literary talent in the region.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Clemente H. Cobilla, Campus Director of SLSU-Tomas Oppus, who thanked the participants for their dedication and enthusiasm. He emphasized the importance of continuing the momentum created by Project WIKANTALK, which urged educators to apply their newfound skills in their classrooms.

Project WIKANTALK, which kicked off with a Memorandum of Agreement signing on October 12, 2024, has successfully engaged educators over the past few weeks. Each session has built on the last, with topics ranging from the foundations of literature to creative prose writing, culminating in the exploration of poetry. The project has aligned itself with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, which ensured that educators are equipped with the skills necessary to foster creativity and critical thinking in their students. Furthermore, the project promotes Goal 5: Gender Equality, which focused on the importance of inclusive education practices that empower all educators and students in Southern Leyte. As Project WIKANTALK draws to a close, the enthusiasm among participants signals a promising future for creative writing education in Southern Leyte.

The second session of Project WIKANTALK continued its momentum on October 19, 2024, with a focus on creative writing in prose under the topic, “Tuloy Tayo sa Tuluyan," led by Dr. Riza L. Lacerna. The session began with a brief recapitulation of the first session by Dr. Analiza M. Nares, which reminded participants of the foundations laid in exploring literature and reading in the MATATAG curriculum.

Following the recap, Dr. Mark B. Galdo, Project Leader, delivered a pre-talk on “Winiwika ng Malikhaing Pagsulat," emphasizing that creative writing serves as a vital tool in various aspects of life, including writing as a form of emotional healing, social engagement, economic empowerment, and as a means of preserving history and culture. Dr. Riza Lacerna, the main resource speaker, then took the stage to focus into prose writing, which engaged participants with insightful discussions on writing stories and essays. She facilitated dynamic activities, including a fun and interactive “Gurong Henyo” game, which tested the participants' knowledge of Filipino literature, and a writeshop on crafting stories and essays. The hands-on approach allowed participants to immediately apply their learning, creating a collaborative and energetic environment.

The session concluded successfully, with participants praising the engaging and practical nature of the workshop. Project WIKANTALK continues to inspire educators to enhance their skills in creative writing, which they can pass on to their students, further enriching the teaching and learning process in Filipino classrooms. The third and final session is scheduled for October 26, 2024, with Dr. Analiza M. Nares leading the topic, “Tutula Ka't Masaya: Malikhaing Pagsulat ng Patula," alongside the culminating activity of the extension project.

This project is aligned with SDG #4: Quality Education which emphasizes the importance of providing accessible education that empowers individuals and recognizes that education is a powerful catalyst for achieving a more just and equitable society.