Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) delivered a strong performance at the 2026 International Extension Conference, organized by the Philippine Association of Extension Program Implementors Inc. (PAEPI) and co-hosted by Palawan State University, held from April 14–17, 2026, at Tag Resort in Coron, Palawan.
Competing against dozens of entries from institutions across the country and beyond, EVSU secured multiple recognitions for its extension initiatives, highlighting the university’s growing impact in community development and innovation.
The HOPE Extension Program of EVSU Carigara Campus earned 2nd Best Paper in the Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Sciences Category, besting 40 entries. The project, presented by Prof. Amelita Ariza, focuses on empowering Persons Deprived of Liberty through holistic extension services.
Meanwhile, the PROCESS Extension Project from the EVSU-Fisheries Industrial College (EVFIC) Main Campus garnered 3rd Best Paper in the Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy Category, outperforming 29 entries.
EVSU fielded a total of six competing extension projects across various categories, demonstrating the breadth of its community engagement programs.
Under the Education Category, the university presented:
- Empowering ALS Learners through E-BE-Cs Project by Rustom Clemente
- Empowering Marginalized ALS Learners for Educational and Employment Advancement Project by Dr. Jean Medino (Carigara Campus)
- Improving Home-Teaching Experience through Parents’ Mentoring Project (non-competing) by Prof. Georgina Orbeta (Ormoc Campus)
In the Culture, Social, and Behavioral Sciences Category, EVSU’s entry included:
- HOPE Program, led by Prof. Amelita Ariza (Carigara Campus)
For the Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy Category, the entries were:
- Project FORGE, a community-based welding skills training initiative by Prof. Rey Roland G. Macauba
- PROCESS Project, by Prof. Bernard Niño Q. Membrebe (EVFIC Main Campus)
- LaunchPad Community Extension Project, focusing on empowerment outcomes in Barangay Bagacay East, La Paz, Leyte, presented by Dr. Jeffrey B. Negros (Tanauan Campus)
Additionally, EVSU showcased Project LIVE (Leverage Investment through Venture and Empowerment) by Dr. Anabelle T. Cerezo (Carigara Campus) under the poster presentation category.
These recognitions affirm EVSU’s commitment to transformative extension services that address real-world challenges in education, social development, and sustainable livelihoods.
The conference gathered extension practitioners, researchers, and academic leaders from across the region, serving as a platform for sharing best practices and strengthening collaborations aimed at inclusive and sustainable community development.
This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 04: Quality Education; SDG 8: SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals; and
