West Visayas State University (WVSU) and Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 23, 2024, to enhance and fortify the university’s national volunteer service and community extension program.

The signing ceremony led by PNVSCA’s Executive Director, Donald James D. Gawe and WVSU’s President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, solidifies both PNVSCA and WVSU’s commitment to advocate for volunteerism, deepening the sense of camaraderie and unity among faculty, staff, and students.

Dr. Villaruz said, “This partnership will open more doors for us to collaborate with established organizations and will accelerate the implementation of programs and enhance our systems and services.”

Present in the signing ceremony were Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of International and Local Linkages Office; Mr. Marlon Jinon, Chief EDS, NEDA VI; Dr. Ma. Pilar Malata, Dean of Students; Dr. Francis Pantino, Director of the National Service Training Program; Mr. Ian Sumagaysay, Director of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Unit WVSU; Dr. Isauro Sindol, IZN Coordinator of WVSU Lambunao; Dr. Lea Escantilla-Lebuna, Planning Officer of CAF, and the DagYoung Student Ambassadors from the different colleges and campuses.

The West Visayas State University – College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) Emergency Response Team (ERT) composed of student volunteers, also attended. They have been involved with volunteerism efforts in the CAF and with the local government of Lambunao. The CAF ERT is under the supervision of Dr. Escantilla-Lebuna.

The partnership allows both WVSU and PNVSCA to collaborate in mainstreaming volunteerism in the academe, implement volunteerism-related activities, promote and advocate volunteerism, build volunteerism statistics and, help in nation-building.