Maasin City, Southern Leyte – In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Southern Leyte State University-Maasin City Campus (SLSU-MCC) initiated the "Panaghiusa sa Kaalam, Kaugmaon ug Malambuong Komunidad" community outreach program on March 5th, 2025, bringing much-needed support to various sectors of the city.

The program aimed to extend a helping hand to some of the city's most vital, yet often overlooked, contributors. Beneficiaries included day care learners and workers, motorcycle and potpot drivers, and sidewalk vendors.

The entire SLSU-MCC faculties, worked diligently to provide assistance and foster a sense of unity within the community. One of the highlights of the event was the distribution of 100 cups of warm and nourishing "arroz caldo," a Filipino rice porridge, providing sustenance to the beneficiaries.

The outreach program showcased the university's commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to strengthening ties with the surrounding community. By targeting these essential workers, SLSU-MCC recognized their invaluable contributions to the daily life and economy of Maasin City.

The Campus Information Systems and Analytics (CISA) team from Southern Leyte State University - Maasin City Campus (SLSU-MCC), along with the Physical Plant Development and Maintenance Office (PPDMO), conducted a benchmarking visit to SLSU-Hinunangan Campus on February 19, 2025. The delegation was led by Mr. Rannie Sumacot, Head of CISA, and included Mr. Florito Cortel, Mr. Mark Eleutaire Fernandez, Mr. Nicko Salazar, Engr. Regie Bero, and Mr. Reynante Lorzano.

Upon their arrival, the team first paid a courtesy visit to the Campus Director, Mr. Wade C. Lim, before proceeding with their site visits. Accompanying them were the Planning Officer of Hinunangan Campus, Engr. Noel Bugais, and the Head of CISA in Hinunangan, Mr. Jonathan Pasayan. The benchmarking focused on assessing various campus facilities and technological implementations, with particular attention to sustainable energy practices, internet infrastructure, and modern academic resources. Hinunangan Campus also shared their Microsoft Office 365 license with Maasin Campus and assured that they would provide and share their licensed café management system for free when Maasin Campus fully implements an internet laboratory this year. Additionally, their Microsoft 365 setup ensures that Windows OS and Office are licensed and integrated with Azure Active Directory for centralized management and security, and they will share it with Maasin Campus.

One of the key areas of interest was the Hinunangan Campus' solar farm and its full-scale solar-powered energy system. The team examined the efficient implementation of solar energy, which powers the entire Main Distribution Frame (MDF) and Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) of the smart campus project. This ensures that internet connectivity remains uninterrupted even in the event of a main line electricity outage. Additionally, the solar energy system provides power to all computer units in the administrative building, guaranteeing that critical transactions and operations are not disrupted. The team also explored the campus’ internet laboratory, where an innovative automated air conditioning system is employed, activating only when individuals are present to conserve energy.

In addition, the team reviewed the server infrastructure, observing the well-maintained server racks and dedicated air conditioning units designed for 24/7 operation, all powered by solar energy. The computer laboratory of the Information Technology (IT) department, headed by Mr. Ruther Manun-og, was another highlight, where each computer is connected to a dedicated internet connection with a minimum speed of 15Mbps, utilizing Starlink for high-speed access, where majority of the software used by the students are fully licensed, while others are free to use

The benchmarking also extended to the gymnasium, where the team was given access to the control room to observe and operate the advanced sound system and LED wall. Further exploration led them to the Multi-purpose Academic Building (MAB), which boasts extensive Wi-Fi coverage and a dedicated control room for audiovisual management.

Lastly, the team visited Academic Building 1, which houses the campus library. The library is designed to cater to various student needs, featuring a silent room for individual study, a discussion room for collaborative learning, and a dedicated computer room for research and coursework.

This benchmarking activity aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), emphasizing the importance of technology-driven learning environments and sustainable infrastructure. The visit provided valuable insights into innovative campus developments, particularly in energy efficiency, internet connectivity, and academic resource management, which the SLSU-Maasin team aims to adopt to enhance their own campus facilities and services.

This activity, organized by the Southern Leyte State University Maasin Campus, was a collaborative effort led by the Student Supreme Council (SSC) along with their adviser, Mr. James Amrinto. The event also saw the participation of the JSWAP (Junior Social Workers Association of the Philippines) from the Social Work Department, CPAS (Circle of Public Administration Students) from the Public Administration Department, and the school publication PULSE. The theme for this event, “Green Shields: Strengthening Coastal Resilience through Mangrove Reforestation,” highlights the importance of mangrove ecosystems in protecting coastal communities and their environment.

Held at Hapitan, Manhilo in Maasin City, the mangrove planting activity aimed to contribute to the restoration and preservation of the local coastal environment. Mangroves serve as natural barriers that reduce the impact of storm surges, erosion, and flooding, thus enhancing the resilience of coastal areas to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

Through this initiative, the participants not only raised awareness about environmental conservation but also took tangible steps toward fostering sustainable practices in their community. This activity serves as a meaningful reminder of the vital role that education and collective action play in addressing environmental challenges. It also highlights the responsibility of the younger generation to actively engage in environmental stewardship, ensuring the preservation of natural resources for future generation.

 On February 12, 2025, the Peer Facilitator Organization held a seminar titled "True Love Waits" at SLSU Maasin Campus AVR. The event commenced with opening remarks by Admin Officer V, Ms. Madonna Grace Jacobe, who warmly welcomed the participants and set the tone for the seminar. Following her welcome, Ms. Colina Escoro Mercado, RGC, RPM, emphasized the purpose of the seminar, highlighting its goals of educating students on healthy relationships and emotional well-being. She explained that the seminar aimed to raise awareness about the importance of making informed decisions regarding early relationships, while also fostering an environment of peer support and mutual understanding.

The seminar featured a key presentation by Resource Speaker Ptr. Francisco Y. Mallorca Jr., RSW, who addressed the participants on the significance of sexual abstinence and commitment to sexual purity, particularly in the context of marriage. He articulated the core objectives of the seminar, which included encouraging participants to make a commitment to sexual abstinence until marriage, adhering to Bible-based standards on sexuality, and embracing a lifestyle of sexual purity.

In addition to discussing the purpose of the seminar, Ptr. Mallorca took the opportunity to delve deeper into the different types of love. He explained the concepts of Storge, Eros, Phileo, and Agape love, providing a comprehensive understanding of how each type manifests in relationships. He emphasized that understanding these forms of love is crucial for building a healthy and respectful relationship based on mutual care, understanding, and trust.

A central theme of Ptr. Mallorca's message was the importance of recognizing God's plan for marriage. He underscored that marriage, as an institution ordained by God, is designed to reflect love, commitment, and faithfulness, offering guidance to the participants on how to align their relationship goals with biblical principles.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Trisha Mae Liagas, RSW, a Social Work faculty member, who expressed her gratitude to all attendees and speaker for their active participation. She also encouraged students to take the lessons shared during the seminar to heart, and to continue fostering healthy relationships grounded in respect, love, and faith.

The "True Love Waits" seminar proved to be an informative and impactful event, leaving participants with valuable insights on building meaningful and lasting relationships.