BEFORE THE HARVEST. Farmer-leader Rodrigo Dominguez stands beside his maturing rice crop on his 1.4-hectare farm in New Lucena, Iloilo, before harvest. The field later produced 225 sacks of freshly harvested palay at approximately 50 kilograms per sack, equivalent to about 11.25 metric tons in actual fresh harvest weight. Photo by Pilar P. Dominguez.

NEW LUCENA, Iloilo — Two hundred twenty-five sacks of freshly harvested palay from a 1.4-hectare farm. At approximately 50 kilograms per sack, farmer-leader Rodrigo Dominguez recorded about 11.25 metric tons of fresh palay in his latest harvest.

This is not Dominguez's first substantial harvest. In a previous cropping, he harvested 280 sacks at approximately 45 kilograms each, equivalent to about 12.6 metric tons of fresh palay, or 252 sacks when expressed at 50 kilograms per sack.

So, what is Rodrigo doing on his farm?

Dominguez practices natural farming and uses KEMAS, KAPISAN Foliar, and KAPISAN Pesticides, natural farming products of Project KAPISAN. His harvest, however, should not be attributed to these products alone. Many factors affect rice production, including land preparation, crop management, weather, soil and water conditions, and pest management.

Instead, Rodrigo's experience offers fellow farmers an opportunity to see, ask, compare, and learn.

An active farmer-leader, Dominguez generously shares his farming experience with others. Under Project KAPISAN, he has served as a practitioner and farmer-scientist, helping fellow farmers learn about natural farming principles, natural inputs, farm planning, and actual farm practices.

His experience carries a simple invitation: Come and see. Ask. Learn. Then decide what may work on your own farm.

Project KAPISAN is an extension initiative of the Division of Development Communication, College of Communication, West Visayas State University, working with farmers and community partners in New Lucena to strengthen natural farming practices, preparation and use of natural inputs, farm planning, and farmer-to-farmer learning.

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Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI continues to strengthen its engagement with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in advancing social welfare and development through research, community extension, capacity building, and policy development.

As a follow-up to the Third Quarter Meeting of the Regional Independent Monitoring Committee (RIMC) held online on August 19, 2026, the 4Ps team of DSWD Field Office VI convened with representatives of the University Extension and Development Center (UEDC) to further explore areas of collaboration and complementation that may contribute to the continuing enhancement of 4Ps implementation.

The meeting focused on several proposed collaborative initiatives, including the development of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) delineating areas of complementation between DSWD and the university; the potential adoption of the College Survival Toolkit developed by Dr. Baby Rose Robles; and the policy proposal of Dr. Elias Olapane concerning the continuation of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA) and the provision of additional grants for tertiary education.

In relation to the proposed MOA, the participants discussed mechanisms for strengthening resource complementation, including possible cost-sharing and counterparting arrangements with local government units (LGUs) in identified target communities. The proposed agreement also includes the adoption of the College Survival Toolkit as a potential resource for the training and capacity development of DSWD 4Ps personnel, particularly case managers. The integration of an evidence-informed educational support resource into staff development is expected to enhance the capacity of program implementers in responding to the academic and developmental needs of beneficiaries.

The policy proposal on the continuation of ESGPPA was likewise discussed as a potential mechanism for sustaining educational support for qualified beneficiaries pursuing tertiary education. The proposal will undergo further refinement to strengthen its policy and programmatic basis. A corresponding resolution will also be prepared to mobilize institutional and stakeholder support toward its consideration and potential adoption.

The collaborative discussions reflect the shared commitment of DSWD and SUCs to harness academic expertise, research, and community-based knowledge in strengthening social protection interventions. Through sustained institutional collaboration, the partners seek to promote evidence-informed approaches, enhance the capacity of program implementers, and contribute to policy initiatives that address the educational and socioeconomic needs of 4Ps beneficiaries.

The initiative further underscores the role of higher education institutions as partners in social development, particularly in translating research and academic expertise into responsive community interventions and policy recommendations. Continued collaboration between DSWD, SUCs, LGUs, and other stakeholders may provide opportunities for more integrated and sustainable approaches to social welfare and development in the region.

Research, innovation, and community engagement took center stage at West Visayas State University (WVSU) Pototan Campus as faculty members gathered for a full-day re-orientation on the university’s research and extension processe last August 28, 2026. 

The activity aimed to refresh faculty members on current guidelines, streamline project workflows, and align research and extension initiatives with the university’s targets for Fiscal Year 2027.

The morning session focused on research, beginning with an overview of the University Research Agenda, PREXC-R targets and accomplishments, and the proposed targets for FY 2027, presented by Dr. Raquel P. Pedrajas, Director for Research, Innovation, and Extension.

Dr. Rosie Jane P. Siosan, Head of the Campus Research, Innovation and Development, discussed the University Research Process, while Mr. Joezer C. Alamo, University Research Associate II, provided updates on recent policies, URDC developments, and research guidelines.

In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to extension and community engagement. Ms. Colyn S. Gomez of the University Extension and Development Center discussed extension processes, followed by Dr. Ricky P. Becodo, UEDC Director, who tackled situational analysis and third-party impact evaluation.

Ms. Rona E. Mangao also discussed extension proposals, PREXC-E performance targets, and strategic indicators for FY 2026–2027, giving faculty members a clearer roadmap for planning and monitoring their community-based projects.

The re-orientation also featured an intermission performance by BSIT faculty member Mr. Daryl Rommel Samelo and reflections from Mr. Von Deaño and Dr. Novroches De Asis, who noted that the clarified guidelines would make proposal preparation and project implementation easier.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the resource speakers, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Marlene S. Gloria, Director of the School of Education.

The activity was hosted by Ms. Claudine Mae L. Leysa, Master of Ceremonies.

More than a refresher on procedures, the re-orientation gave WVSU Pototan faculty a chance to reconnect with the university’s research and extension goals—turning ideas into meaningful research and translating knowledge into impact in the community.

The University Extension and Development Center (UEDC) of West Visayas State University (WVSU) conducted a three-day third-party impact assessment of the College of Nursing’s terminated extension project, “Rays of HOPE” (Home Health, Opportunity for Livelihood, Peace and Order, and Environmental Health), from August 11 to 13, 2026.

The assessment was undertaken as part of the extension project development cycle to determine the project’s long-term effects, sustainability, relevance, and continuing outcomes among its partner communities. The activity design identifies third-party impact evaluation as an important mechanism for determining whether the intended outcomes of completed extension interventions have been sustained, further developed, or adopted by beneficiaries.

Day 1: Consultation with College of Nursing Faculty

The first day, August 11, 2026, focused on a meeting with the College of Nursing (CON) faculty involved in the Rays of HOPE project.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the third-party evaluators and the project team to discuss the project’s implementation, accomplishments, and relevant documentation. It also served as an initial step in establishing the context for the assessment and identifying information that would guide the succeeding field activities.

The approved extension activity design provides that third-party evaluators initially conduct an assessment of submitted project documents before proceeding to field visitation and data collection among target community beneficiaries.

Day 2: Field Visitation and Data Collection

On August 12, 2026, the evaluation team proceeded to Barangay Alabidhan, Bingawan, Iloilo, where they conducted field visitation and data collection with barangay officials and beneficiaries of the Rays of HOPE project.

The field activity provided the evaluators with an opportunity to gather firsthand information on the project’s outcomes and its effects on the partner community. Through engagement with local officials and beneficiaries, the team assessed how the interventions and practices introduced through the project have been maintained, utilized, or developed over time.

The activity design specifically identifies field visitation and data collection as the second stage of the third-party evaluation process. It emphasizes the assessment of project outcomes and impacts, including the extent to which knowledge, skills, and practices introduced through the project have been adopted or institutionalized by beneficiaries.

Day 3: Impact Analysis and Evaluation Report

The three-day activity concluded on August 13, 2026, with an impact analysis and evaluation report meeting with the College of Nursing staff.

The final activity focused on consolidating and analyzing the information gathered during the document review and field visitation. The evaluators discussed the findings and assessment of the project, with the results intended to provide evidence-based recommendations for future extension initiatives.

The approved activity design states that the final stage of the evaluation involves impact analysis and preparation of the evaluation report, with the results subsequently shared with the respective project leaders.

Strengthening Evidence-Based Extension

The third-party assessment of Rays of HOPE underscores WVSU’s commitment to evaluating not only the implementation of its extension initiatives but also their long-term relevance, sustainability, and impact on partner communities.

Through the assessment, the University seeks to determine the extent to which the project’s intended outcomes have been sustained and the ways in which the knowledge, skills, and practices introduced by the project have continued to benefit its beneficiaries. The evaluation also aims to provide evidence that can guide the improvement of future extension programs and initiatives.

The three-day activity reflects the University’s continuing efforts to ensure that extension programs create meaningful and sustainable contributions to community development, while strengthening accountability and evidence-based planning in its extension work.