SLSU Main Campus conducts Courtesy Visit and Project Orientation in San Juan for the Online Implementation of the SLSU CARES Extension Project
As part of the implementation of the SLSU CARES: Community Action for Resilience, Empowerment, and Sustainability extension project, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Main Campus conducted a courtesy visit and project orientation with the Local Government Unit of San Juan, Southern Leyte, on June 26, 2026, at the Municipal Hall of San Juan.
The activity was attended by the project proponents, faculty deans from the participating colleges, Research, Innovation, Extension, and Sustainability (RIES) personnel headed by Engr. Jonelle H. Tablada, Director for Extension and Community Outreach Services, together with the designated training facilitators and resource persons. Members of the Liga ng mga Barangay and local government officials of San Juan also participated in the orientation.
During the program, Engr. Tablada presented an overview of the SLSU CARES extension project, highlighting its rationale, objectives, priority activities, implementation strategies, and expected impact on partner communities. He emphasized the University's commitment to delivering responsive and community-based extension services through capacity-building programs and collaborative initiatives with local stakeholders.
An open forum followed the presentation, where members of the Liga ng mga Barangay actively participated by raising questions and sharing insights regarding the implementation of the project. The discussion provided an opportunity to clarify program details, identify community priorities, and strengthen coordination between the University and the LGU.
The faculty deans also introduced the extension programs, technical expertise, and community services that their respective colleges can offer, demonstrating SLSU's multidisciplinary approach to community development and public service.
The courtesy visit concluded with Southern Leyte State University and the Local Government Unit of San Juan reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening their partnership and advancing collaborative extension initiatives. As the first municipality to host the project orientation, San Juan marks the beginning of a series of courtesy visits and coordination meetings that will also be conducted in Bontoc, Tomas Oppus, Maasin City, and Sogod to further expand the University's extension partnerships across Southern Leyte.
The activity also reflected SLSU's commitment to environmental sustainability through the use of an online platform for project coordination and orientation, minimizing the need for repeated travel, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving energy and other resources. This digital approach enabled efficient collaboration among stakeholders while promoting environmentally responsible extension practices. Furthermore, SLSU CARES is envisioned as a long-term extension initiative, with yearly seminars, training programs, and capacity-building activities designed to sustain partnerships with local government units and progressively expand the program throughout the Province of Southern Leyte.
The initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through sustained collaboration among the University, local government units, and community stakeholders.