Shyrelle A. Castilla, a 2nd-year Agribusiness student from Southern Leyte State University-Hinunangan, showcased her academic prowess and talent at the Annual Gathering of Iskolar ng LANDBANK Programs (ILP) held on November 21-22 at the Manila Prince Hotel, Manila. Organized by the LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation, Inc. (LCDFI), the event served as a platform for scholars, mentors, and institutional partners to connect, exchange insights, and celebrate milestones.

Representing SLSU as its lone ILP scholar, Castilla demonstrated excellence and distinction among the program’s participants nationwide. She was awarded for her academic achievements, being named one of the top-performing scholars for the academic year 2023-2024. Her contributions extended beyond academics, as she also captivated the audience during the talent showcase, earning the prestigious Best Talent Award.

The event also featured team-building activities and collaborative meetings designed to cultivate comradeship and inspire future leaders. Castilla had the rare opportunity to engage with LANDBANK officials, including its President, and fellow scholars from across the country, further broadening her network and gaining insights into leadership and community development.

“This experience has been truly inspiring,” Castilla said. “It motivates me to strive even harder and make a difference in my community and beyond.”

SLSU-Hinunangan’s participation in this national-level program highlights the university’s commitment to cultivating excellence and empowering its students to thrive on prestigious platforms. Castilla’s achievements underscore SLSU’s dedication to nurturing scholars who exemplify the institution's mission of furthering academic excellence, leadership, and service to society.

The ILP scholarship program stands as a proof to LANDBANK’s commitment to rural development and nation-building by investing in the education of promising students. Castilla’s success not only brings pride to SLSU but also reaffirms the university’s vital role in shaping the future leaders of the country.

Southern Leyte State University-Hinunangan, in a major boost to agricultural innovation, has received a PHP 1 million grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the establishment of a state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratory. The funding, handed over through a formal turnover ceremony on November 18, 2024 to SLSU-Hinunangan Campus Director Mr. Wade C. Lim, signals a transformative step for the province's agricultural sector.

“This project marks the beginning of a new chapter in agricultural innovation for Southern Leyte,” said DOST Southern Leyte Provincial Director Ramil Uy, emphasizing the initiative's potential to elevate local agriculture through science, technology, and innovation (STI).

The funding supports the project titled "STI Solutions for High Economic Value Agricultural Commodities in Southern Leyte," which aims to increase the economic value of local agricultural products. The laboratory is expected to become operational by February next year.

For its first three years, the facility will prioritize the production of abaca planting materials to address the demand for high-quality, disease-free crops. Subsequent efforts will focus on bananas, bamboos, and ornamental plants. Using tissue culture technology, the laboratory will generate identical, mature plants with desirable traits, ensuring consistency and high quality in the crops produced.

SLSU-Hinunangan Campus Director Mr. Wade C. Lim expressed optimism about the laboratory's potential impact. “This initiative is a vital step towards empowering our local farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector of Southern Leyte. By providing advanced resources and technologies, we aim to not only improve crop production but also contribute to the province's economic growth,” he shared.

“This laboratory can produce multiple plants even from limited seeds or low-growth planting materials, which is a game-changer for local agriculture,” Uy added. Beyond production, the facility will also validate and refine protocols for innovation, advancing the science behind plant propagation techniques.

The project holds the potential to uplift local farmers by providing reliable, disease-free planting materials that improve yield and quality. As a result, the initiative is expected to stimulate economic growth across Southern Leyte, aligning with the university’s mission to spearhead sustainable development through science and technology.

The tissue culture laboratory at SLSU-Hinunangan represents a crucial step forward for agricultural research and development in the region, ensuring that the province remains at the forefront of innovative and sustainable farming practices.

The Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), in a strategic effort to expand its academic reach and collaborative initiatives, entered into a formal partnership with Cavite State University (CvSU) through a Ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on November 12, 2024. The virtual ceremony highlighted SLSU’s commitment to enhancing its academic programs and furthering opportunities for scholarly and cultural exchanges, setting a strong foundation for future joint
endeavors with CvSU.

The MOU outlines key areas of cooperation to be pursued by both universities, focusing on the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA), Bachelor of Science in Food Technology (BSFT), and Bachelor
of Science in Environmental Science (BSES) programs. These collaborative efforts are set to include:

• Exchange of Students
• Exchange of Faculty and Researchers
• Exchange of Academic Information and Publications
• Sharing of Instructional Materials
• Joint Research Activities
• Joint Organization of International Research and Publications
• Other academic and cultural exchanges as agreed upon by both parties

“This partnership with Cavite State University marks a major milestone in our pursuit of academic excellence and collaborative growth,” said Dr. Jude A. Duarte, President of SLSU.

“By forwarding exchanges in research, education, and cultural programs, we are not only enhancing the opportunities for our students and faculty but also contributing to a stronger, globally connected academic community. This MOU solidifies our commitment to innovation and cooperation for mutual advancement.

The MOU signing ceremony was attended by key officials from both institutions. From CvSU, attendees included Dr. Melbourne R. Talactac, Officer-In-Charge and Vice President for Research and Extension; Dr. Ma. Agnes P. Nuestro, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Lilibeth P. Novicio, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Natural Resources (CAFENR); Dr. Venus O. Saz,
CAFENR International and Local Collaboration and Linkage Coordinator; Dr. Abigail P. Daria, Department Chair of Crop Science; Ms. Monina Dyan Elumba, CAFENR Secretary; and Associate Professor Ma. Veronica P. Penaflorida, Director of the International and Local Collaboration and Linkage Office.

Representing SLSU were Dr. Jude A. Duarte, President; Mr. Wade C. Lim, Campus Director of SLSU Hinunangan; Dr. Ian Navarrete, RIES Coordinator; Dr. John Paul Gapasin, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science; and Ms. Cherryhel B. Toralde, Program Head of Department of Environmental Science of SLSU-Hinunangan.

This agreement paves the way for robust academic initiatives and innovative research projects that align with SLSU’s goal of building strong educational partnerships. The collaboration is poised to provide significant opportunities for both students and faculty, reinforcing SLSU's position as a leader in higher education in the region.

Agriculture students from Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) showcased their expertise in organic farming as they represented the university at the Third Regional Kabataang OA (Organic Agriculture) Quiz Bee 2024, held on November 4 at the Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC8) in Visayas State University, Baybay City.

SLSU was represented by Mr. Aldrin Abrea and Mr. Joriz Xandre Ladores both from SLSU-Hinunangan Campus, with Ms. Judea Loui Marfil joining from Bontoc Campus. Under the mentorship of Ms. Ana Mae Aquino and Ms. Christselda Membreve from the Department of Agriculture and Technology, the team demonstrated a strong command of organic agriculture principles, competing against students
from various colleges and universities across the region.

Despite fierce competition, Mr. Abrea secured 4th place, adding to SLSU’s growing reputation for academic excellence and commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.

The quiz bee coincided with the nationwide celebration of Organic Agriculture Month, as established under Presidential Proclamation No. 1030, s. 2015. This observance underscores the importance of promoting the industrialization and full employment of Filipinos through sound agricultural development while advocating for the widespread adoption of organic farming practices.

As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting agricultural education and skills development, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 8 has conducted numerous initiatives, including training sessions, seminars, and technical briefings tailored for both farmers and young agricultural enthusiasts. Launched in 2019, the “Search for Kabataang OA” aimed to encourage youth
participation and culminated in a notable third-place victory at the national level. The competition took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming last year with renewed vigor and the goal of preparing students to represent Region 8 on the national stage.

Centered around the theme “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OK! PGS Pinalakas para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the 2024 competition emphasized the integration of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) in bolstering the country’s organic agriculture framework. This aligns with SLSU’s institutional mission of nurturing globally competitive individuals committed to sustainable development and aligns with the university’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and zero hunger (SDG 2).

By participating in events like the Regional Kabataang OA Quiz Bee, SLSU continues to reinforce its commitment to producing future-ready graduates who contribute to the enhancement of local and
national agricultural sustainability.