Category: News

West Visayas State University (WVSU) announced key personnel activities and transport arrangements during its flag-raising ceremony on Mar. 23 at Jubilee Park, led by the University Learning Resource Center headed by Dr. Elra Di M. Madalogdog.

Among the announcements for the week is the annual general assembly of members of the University Non-Teaching Personnel Organization (UNPO), scheduled on Mar. 24. The activity, led by Ms. Joy Fullo, will also include the election of new UNPO officers.

Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Peter Ernie Paris reiterated the resumption of the compressed four-day work week and emphasized the availability of service vehicles for University and University Medical Center personnel in light of the transportation holiday declared on the day of the ceremony.

Paris encouraged personnel to avail of the transport service, noting that return trips will be provided, with designated pick-up in front of the Administration Building at 7:15 p.m.

The announcements form part of the University’s continuing efforts to ensure operational continuity and support for personnel amid evolving work arrangements.

Pinangunahan ng West Visayas State University (WVSU) Sentro ng Wika at Kultura, katuwang ang Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, ang Panlalawigang Seminar sa Korespondensiya Opisyal 2026 na isinasagawa ngayong Marso 19–20, 2026 sa WVSU Center for Teaching Excellence.

Ang unang araw ng seminar ay dinaluhan ng mga kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang institusyon sa sektor ng edukasyon at serbisyong pampubliko, na naglalayong paigtingin ang paggamit ng Filipino sa opisyal na komunikasyon.

Gamit ang temang “Palihan at Pagsasanaysay sa Korespondensiya Opisyal,” layunin ng seminar na palakasin ang paggamit ng Filipino sa akademya at sektor publiko, alinsunod sa Executive Order Blg. 335 na naghihikayat ng paggamit ng Filipino sa mga opisyal na korespondensiya at transaksiyon ng pamahalaan.

Binuksan ang aktibidad sa pagkilala sa mga kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang institusyon at eksternal na kampus. Ipinakilala ni Dr. Salvador P. Bacio, direktor ng WVSU Sentro ng Wika at Kultura, ang mga kalahok at mga imbitadong panauhin mula sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), at binigyang-diin ang kanilang ambag sa pagsusulong ng wikang Filipino.

Kabilang sa mga nagbahagi ng talakayan ang mga kinatawan mula sa Sentro ng Wika at Kultura na si Alain Ruzz D. Gimzo ng Komisyong Hiligaynon; at Dr. Jose Elvie G. Duclay, tagapamahala ng SWK-Visayas, at kinatawan ng Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino na sina Atty. Marites Barrios-Taran, tagapangulo; at Dr. Carmelita C. Abduhraman, full-time komisyoner. 

Layunin ng seminar na pahusayin ang kasanayan ng mga kalahok sa pagsulat at presentasyon ng opisyal na korespondensiya sa Filipino upang maisulong ang mas epektibo at estandardisadong komunikasyon sa akademya at pamahalaan. Kasabay nito, binigyang-diin ang tungkulin ng KWF sa pagpapanatili at pagtataguyod ng wikang Filipino, pati na rin ng mga katutubong wika.

Magpapatuloy ang aktibidad bukas para sa ikalawang araw ng mga sesyon at karagdagang talakayan mula sa iba pang tagapagsalita.

Student delegates from across the country gather as West Visayas State University hosts the West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026 from March 19 to 21 at the Research and Extension Building’s Research Conference Room.

Organized by the West Visayas Model United Nations, the three-day conference convenes participants to engage in diplomatic simulations, collaborative dialogue, and policy discussions aimed at addressing global issues.

His Excellency Mariomassimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines, delivers the keynote address during the opening plenary. Santoro brings extensive experience in diplomacy and international relations, having previously served as Head of Office of the Secretary General of the European External Action Service and Head of Division for Policy Coordination from 2021 to 2024, where he oversaw policy coordination, decision-making processes and cooperation with international partners.

Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Peter Ernie Paris, underscores the University’s role in advancing global engagement.

“Our university stands as a proactive partner in advancing diplomacy, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement in international affairs. The Model United Nations organization of the West Visayas State University is committed to cultivating future leaders who will carry forward the values of peace, cooperation, and respect among nations,” Dr. Paris says.

Earlier in the day, University President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and Dr. Paris met with Santoro to discuss European and Filipino culture and food, academic exchanges, potential institutional partnerships, and scholarship opportunities, as well as ways to strengthen ties between the University and the European Union.

The conference underscores its commitment to fostering meaningful participation and bridging differences among young leaders. It aims to equip delegates with the skills and perspectives needed to engage with global challenges with purpose and understanding.

The initiative promotes diplomacy that extends beyond conference halls, encouraging participants to work collaboratively toward a more harmonious and interconnected world.

Graduate students from the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) majoring in Biological Sciences at West Visayas State University (WVSU) Main Campus conducted a field-based ecological assessment at Mari-it Wildlife and Conservation Park on Mar. 14, 2026. The activity was part of the course BSC 503: Advanced Ecology and was supervised by Dr. Josette T. Biyo.

The field study covered population sampling, vegetation analysis, and ecosystem dynamics, giving students practical experience in ecological research methods within a protected forest ecosystem. About 40 graduate students took part in the activity.

Dr. Biyo emphasized the value of place-based and inquiry-driven learning in science education, highlighting that hands-on field experiences help link abstract ecological ideas with real-world environmental issues. She observed that experiential learning improves teachers’ practical scientific literacy and promotes active involvement in citizen science and environmental stewardship.

“What you have learned in the classroom and what you have concretized in activities can truly be taught to your learners as well. That’s very important for conservation and appreciation. This will help teach kids and the community how to care for our forests, which serve as habitats for wildlife,” she said.

The field activity was carried out in partnership with the WVSU College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), led by Dr. Jose Ariel A. Tutor. Foresters and volunteers from CAF accompanied the graduate students during the fieldwork, offering technical guidance in species identification, vegetation analysis, and ecological data collection.

During the assessment, students used systematic sampling techniques, specifically transect and quadrat methods, to conduct inventories of mature trees, saplings, shrubs, and seedlings, as well as to identify tree species composition and associated organisms. These methods enabled participants to examine species distribution, characterize vegetation structure, and explore ecological interactions within the forest ecosystem.

Forester Rod Reynan Laspiñas emphasized the importance of practical field experience in understanding ecological concepts.

“It’s very important for you to visit the site because it helps you better understand the concepts of vegetation analysis and forest ecology overall. This is what we call action-oriented learning or learning by doing. The experience is very different when you are right there on the ground,” he explained.

The Mari-it Wildlife and Conservation Park, situated within the 3,000-hectare WVSU Lambunao Campus, serves as a sanctuary for several endemic wildlife species. These include the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons), the Visayan tarictic hornbill (Penelopides panini), and the Visayan leopard cat (Prionailurus javanensis), locally known as Maral, which also symbolizes the university.

As a recognized center for wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection in Western Visayas, the park functions as an ideal living laboratory for ecological research and environmental education. The field activities thus support the broader institutional efforts of WVSU to equip future educators with advanced ecological research skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management.

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.