Category: News

Students from West Visayas State University (WVSU) and other institutions gathered at the WVSU Audio-Visual Hall on Mar. 16 for a forum on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) aimed at strengthening media literacy and responsible information consumption among the youth.

The interactive discussion introduced participants to how foreign information manipulation operates online and how it can influence public discourse, highlighting the need for critical thinking and careful verification of information in the digital age.

Prof. Joesyl D. Aranas, chair of the Development Communication Division, welcomed the participants, organizers and guest speakers during the opening program. She emphasized the importance of becoming informed and responsible consumers of information amid the fast-changing digital landscape.

Guest speakers shared insights from research and journalism. Janina Santos of DoubleThink Lab discussed the basics of FIMI and presented case studies showing how foreign influence operations shape narratives online. Christina Chi of PhilStar.com shared newsroom experiences in gathering data and reporting on FIMI-related issues, while Prof. Felipe Salvosa II of PressOne.Ph examined how narratives, influence and manipulation can reshape public perception.

An open forum moderated by Atty. Joseph Bernard A. Marzan, senior reporter of the Daily Guardian, allowed students to engage with the speakers and ask questions about media literacy and information verification. The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to speakers and participants, followed by closing remarks from Francis Allan L. Angelo, editor-in-chief of the Daily Guardian.

The forum was organized through a collaboration among the WVSU Development Communicators’ Society, Daily Guardian, and InterNews to help strengthen media resilience and promote informed public discourse in the region.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) has appointed Dr. Victorino Salcedo III as vice president for Medical and Allied Sciences, a role he formally accepted during the University’s flag-raising ceremony on Mar. 16 at Jubilee Park.

University President Dr. Joselito Villaruz introduced Salcedo to the University community, citing his longstanding service to the institution and contributions to medical education and healthcare at WVSU.

“When I reflect in this moment, I realize that my entire life has been deeply intertwined with this University,” Salcedo said. “In many ways, this institution has shaped not only my professional life but also the way I think about leadership, service, and public responsibility.”

Salcedo’s academic and professional journey has been closely tied to the University. He entered WVSU at age 16 as a student in the biology program, later completing his medical degree and surgery residency at the University Medical Center. He eventually joined the College of Medicine faculty, teaching anatomy and surgery, and served as consultant in the Department of Surgery. He also earned his master’s degree in public governance from the University.

Beyond his professional milestones, Salcedo shared that WVSU also holds personal significance for him, recalling that he met his wife on campus during his student years.

“Because of all these memories and experiences, this University holds a special place in my heart,” he said, adding that it was difficult to decline the opportunity when Villaruz offered him the position.

Salcedo accepted the post with gratitude and emphasized the importance of collaboration in fulfilling the responsibilities of the office. He expressed his intention to work closely with faculty, staff and students in advancing the University’s mission in medical and allied health education, and asked the community to keep him in their prayers “that I may be blessed by the Lord with wisdom in all the things that I do and in all the decisions that I make.”

Salcedo succeeds Dr. Celina Cordero-Gellada, who now serves as dean of the College of Medicine after assuming the position on Mar. 1.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) shared updates on academic activities, administrative arrangements and upcoming institutional events during its weekly flag-raising ceremony held Mar. 16 at Jubilee Park, led by the Supply and Property Management Unit headed by Ms. Basilia Galvan.

University President Dr. Joselito Villaruz also introduced Dr. Victorino Salcedo III as the new vice president for Medical and Allied Sciences. Salcedo, currently a medical officer at WVSU Medical Center (WVSUMC), is a long-time member of the WVSU community. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies, medical degree and surgery residency at the University and has served as a faculty member of the College of Medicine and a consultant surgeon at WVSUMC.

Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, vice president for Academic Affairs, expressed appreciation to faculty and staff who assisted in administering the WVSU Admission Examination last Mar. 8, noting that the checking and evaluation of examination materials are now underway.

Dequilla announced that preparations are also ongoing for the National Culture and the Arts Festival 2026, which WVSU will host. Around 50 representatives from state universities and colleges are expected to arrive this week to assess the documents of participants for the national event.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Ernie Paris, vice president for Administration and Finance, reminded personnel of the temporary work schedule for this week and that the current four-day work week with 10-hour workdays remains a temporary arrangement while the University studies its long-term feasibility.

Paris reiterated that work-from-home arrangements remain available for faculty and non-teaching personnel on Mar. 19, subject to approval by their respective supervisors.

The ceremony concluded with a brief energizer led by the Supply and Property Management Unit.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and international collaboration, West Visayas State University (WVSU) visited the Iloilo City Government as part of its engagement under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Project, GREEN FINANCE: Advancing Higher Education for Sustainable Growth in Southeast Asia. The initiative seeks to enhance education, research, and policy engagement in sustainable finance and promote climate-responsive financial practices in the Philippines.

The visit, led by Dr. Maria Corazon M. Samorin, Associate Professor V and Project Manager of the Erasmus+ GREEN FINANCE initiative, aimed to introduce the project to the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (LEDIP) Office and seek their endorsement to participate in the Stakeholders Survey. This collaboration ensures that local government policies, priorities, and opportunities are integrated into the design of modular and online micro-credential courses that WVSU will develop for sustainable finance education.

Through this engagement, WVSU emphasizes the importance of aligning academic programs with city development goals, empowering local stakeholders and Ilonggos to adopt green and sustainable mindsets in finance. The initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to responsible investment, inclusive growth, and environmentally sound practices, reinforcing WVSU’s role as a leader in sustainability-driven higher education.

Funded by the European Union, the Erasmus+ GREEN FINANCE project positions WVSU to bridge international expertise with local needs, ensuring that Iloilo City benefits from innovative and outcomes-based green finance initiatives.

Photos by Iloilo City Government

West Visayas State University (WVSU) convened its vice presidents, college deans, unit heads, student representatives, and invited industry partners for a Stakeholders Orientation on the WVSU Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2026-2035 on Mar. 10, outlining the University’s long-term direction for strengthening instruction, research, extension, and institutional development.

The 10-year strategic plan, developed over two years through consultations and collaborative planning with key stakeholders, sets the framework that will guide the University’s programs, initiatives, and resource priorities in the coming decade.

The orientation was led by the University Planning and Development Office (UPDO), headed by Director Dr. Reymund Flores, who presented the plan’s strategic framework and key goals.

Central to the plan is WVSU’s vision of becoming “a global research university that shapes generations,” supported by its mission to empower lifelong learners as agents of value while delivering impactful research, responsive extension programs, and compassionate healthcare services.

During the orientation, WVSU also officially launched its new institutional tagline, “Transforming Generations,” which will guide the University’s direction moving forward. The tagline reflects WVSU’s continuing commitment to ensure that its tradition of excellence leads to meaningful impact by shaping individuals, communities, and future generations.

Among the plan’s key directions is strengthening the University’s internationalization efforts by expanding institutional partnerships and enhancing global visibility. The plan also prioritizes improving teaching and learning, advancing knowledge generation through research, strengthening extension and healthcare services, supporting mission-driven institutional operations, diversifying resource generation, and reinforcing quality assurance systems.

UPDO Planning Officer Michael Gervero presented the strategic roadmap and Gantt chart outlining how the University will operationalize the plan from 2026 to 2035, translating strategic goals into concrete initiatives and timelines across campuses, colleges, and administrative units.

Unlike planning cycles aligned with administrative terms, the Strategic Development Plan spans a full decade to ensure continuity in institutional priorities and sustained progress regardless of leadership transitions.

Through the SDP 2026-2035, WVSU seeks to align its policies, programs, and resources toward strengthening its role as a research-driven university while continuing to serve students, communities, and partner institutions.

A total of 20,944 applicants took the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Admission Examination on Mar. 8, as the University administered the test simultaneously across its campuses for prospective first-year students for Academic Year 2026-2027.

Most examinees took the test at the WVSU Main Campus in La Paz, Iloilo City, which hosted 14,044 applicants. The campus also has the largest projected intake, with 1,575 slots for incoming first-year students.

Across the University, WVSU expects to admit about 4,401 first-year students based on available program slots in its campuses.

Applicants were also distributed among WVSU’s satellite campuses. The College of Agriculture and Forestry recorded 420 applicants competing for 190 slots. Calinog Campus had 715 applicants for 336 available slots, while Himamaylan Campus accommodated 1,175 examinees for 295 projected enrollees.

Janiuay Campus recorded 1,440 applicants for 615 slots, Lambunao Campus had 1,600 applicants for 805 slots, and Pototan Campus hosted 1,550 applicants vying for 585 available slots.

The examinees came from different parts of the country, reflecting the University’s growing reach and reputation as a preferred institution for quality higher education beyond Western Visayas.

University officials expect to begin releasing examination results to applicants in April 2026.