PGIS and Land Planning Take Spotlight, SLSU and LGU-Hinunangan Lead Forum

Science, experience, and community participation converged on December 17, 2025, at the Multipurpose Academic Building of Southern Leyte State University–Hinunangan Campus as educators, local officials, and stakeholders gathered for a timely Lecture Forum on Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) and Land Planning, centered on people empowerment and community transformation.

 

The forum, titled “PGIS and Land Planning: Life Experiences for People Empowerment and Community Transformation,” opened with a Welcome Address from Mr. Wade C. Lim, Campus Director of SLSU-Hinunangan, who emphasized the deeper value of knowledge when translated into action.

 

 

“Whatever insights we gain from this forum should not only be seen as important information,” Lim said. “Even a small piece of knowledge—when properly understood and applied—can help us build a more cohesive and resilient society.”

 

Lim underscored the role of academic institutions in bridging theory and practice, particularly in addressing land-use challenges faced by disaster-prone communities.

 

The activity was further strengthened by the presence of Hinunangan Municipal Mayor Engr. Ymard Joseph Tocmo, who delivered a short message highlighting the relevance of the forum in the wake of Typhoon Tino, which recently affected the municipality.

 

“I am truly happy to be part of this lecture forum,” Mayor Tocmo said. “This activity is both timely and meaningful, especially as Hinunangan continues to recover from Typhoon Tino. It provides science-based and participatory strategies, reminding us that land planning is a powerful tool for community transformation.”

 

 

Before the main lecture, participants were oriented through two key presentations. Mr. Wade Lim presented the SLSU-Hinunangan Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan, highlighting the campus’s long-term vision for sustainable, disaster-responsive development. This was followed by a profile presentation of LGU-Hinunangan, delivered by a municipal representative, which contextualized the local land-use realities, risks, and development priorities.

 

The highlight of the forum was the main lecture by Dr. Françoise Orban-Ferauge, Professor Emeritus of Human Geography at the Université de Namur, Belgium. Drawing from decades of academic work and field experience, Dr. Orban-Ferauge discussed how Participatory GIS and inclusive land-use planning empower communities to make informed decisions, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen social cohesion.

 

 

Her lecture emphasized that land planning is not merely a technical exercise, but a social process that must value local knowledge, lived experiences, and collective action.

 

 

Following the lecture, an Open Forum was held, facilitated by Mrs. Cecile Malaki-Malubay, during which participants actively engaged the speaker through questions and reflections on applying PGIS approaches in local governance, environmental management, and post-disaster rehabilitation.

 

The program formally concluded with a Closing Message from Dr. Guadalupe Calalang, who commended the collaboration among the university, the local government, and academic departments and encouraged participants to translate their learning into concrete initiatives.

 

The lecture forum was spearheaded by the Office of the Campus Director, with strong support from the Local Government Unit of Hinunangan and the Department of Environmental Science of SLSU-Hinunangan.

 

The activity directly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, by promoting inclusive and participatory land-use planning; SDG 13 – Climate Action, through disaster-responsive and risk-informed development strategies; SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, by encouraging participatory governance and evidence-based decision-making; and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, reflected in the collaboration between SLSU, LGU-Hinunangan, and international academia.

 

Aligned with SLSU’s vision of becoming a Smart and Green University and its mission to generate relevant knowledge, foster community engagement, and promote sustainable development, the forum reaffirmed the university’s role as a catalyst for local transformation.

 

As Hinunangan continues to rebuild and plan for a more resilient future, the insights shared during the PGIS and Land Planning forum stand as a reminder that empowered communities, guided by science and participation, are at the heart of sustainable development.