TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Samar State University (SSU), with its co-host, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) and five National Government Agency (NGA) partners, pledged commitment during the Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing of the 5th International Conference on Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development (iPOVCON) held on July 29, 2024 at Hotel Estrella, Tacloban City, Philippines.
Led by SSU President Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, and SLSU Vice-President for Research, Extension and Innovation Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, the event was graced by SSU’s NGA partners, including the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office 8 represented by Regional Director Wilma Perante, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 8 represented by Assistant Regional Director Jam M. Colas, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 8 represented by Regional Director Grace Q. Subong, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) represented by Mr. Gibson Tobias (LGOO III), and Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Regional Office 8 represented by Regional Director Elnora Pulma. As new partners, the NGAs pledged to showcase their best practices and community-based poverty reduction programs in the 5th iPOVCON.
This year’s conference, which will be held on October 16-17, 2024 at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City, highlights the theme, “Empowering Communities through Sustainable Solutions and Innovations: Harnessing Change for Inclusive Growth.” The confab will revolve around two tracks: (1) Sustainable Development Strategies for Inclusive Growth, and (2) Innovative Technologies and Social Entrepreneurship for Social Impact.
The annual Poverty Conference is one of the ways SSU contributes to addressing the vicious cycle of poverty in the Philippines. To attain this, the University has partnered with various state universities and colleges in the country (i.e., Batangas State University, Biliran Province State University, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Central Philippines State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Eastern Samar State University, Eastern Visayas State University, Leyte Normal University, Northwest Samar State University, Palompon Institute of Technology, Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, Philippine Normal University, State University of Northern Negros, University of Eastern Philippines, Visayas State University), international higher education institutions (i.e., Tra Vinh University, Dong Thap University), local government units (i.e., Samar Province, Catbalogan City LGU), and NGAs.