CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines—The Samar State University Research Center for Good and Local Governance (SSU SICGLG) launched Project GROOM (Grammar Revitalization for Outstanding Barangay Officials’ Local Management), a four-week intensive grammar training for barangay officials of Jiabong, Samar, held at the SSU Research and Innovation Center in October 2024.
Project GROOM provided a structured training program, with each session facilitated by SSU language educators. Ms. Celeste Reyes led the first workshop on October 4–5, covering correct grammar usage. On October 11-12, Ms. Arianne Salcedo trained participants in grammatical features. Ms. Elma Sultan conducted a session from October 25-26, focusing on syntax and sentence structure. The program culminated on October 31 with Ms. Joan Baclay’s task-based workshop, where barangay captains and secretaries combined their skills in a role-playing activity to apply language use in local governance contexts.
The project’s initial activity centers on a capability-building program with the goal of strengthening the grammar proficiency of the barangay officials from the 34 barangays of Jiabong, Samar, who recognize clear communication as key to effectively serving their communities.
Morever, the program is an outgrowth of the 2022 SSU-funded study that explored perceptions of grammar teaching among Samar barangay officials amid global and national demands for English proficiency that highlighted the officials’ common challenge of needing stronger grammar skills to ensure clarity in governance and community relations, especially in barangays with populations between 15,000 and 28,000, revenues ranging from 1 million to 4 million pesos, and officials with 4 to 12 years of experience. It recommended a comprehensive program that combines effective communication strategies with role-specific grammar training to enhance local governance.