CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines—Samar State University’s (SSU) Director for the Center for Lifelong Learning (CeLL), Prof. Marife Mustacisa-Lacaba, is named one of the recipients of the 2024 Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Award (FLORA). Conferred by the Multinational Foundation, Inc. (MFI) in partnership with the TOWNS Foundation, this award recognizes Prof. Lacaba’s significant contributions to rural education and citizenship development among Filipino youth.
The awarding ceremony is set to take place on May 23, 2025, at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, where Dr. Lacaba will join other Filipina educators from fourth- to sixth-class municipalities recognized for innovative projects conducted between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024. The rigorous selection process underscores the recipients’ leadership in rural education, with awards including Php 100,000.00 cash, a trophy, and a plaque.
Dr. Lacaba’s initiatives at SSU’s CeLL advance lifelong education and community engagement while fostering agricultural innovation and food security through externally funded projects like sweet potato production under DOST-PCAARRD. Her remarkable efforts reflect the transformative impact of education in rural communities.
Dr. Lacaba serves as a professor at SSU and director of CeLL, where she spearheads initiatives that promote lifelong education and community engagement. Her leadership extends to managing externally funded projects, including those under DOST-PCAARRD, such as sweet potato production and processing, contributing to agricultural innovation and food security.
Dr. Lacaba is also a published author in Web of Science by Clarivate Analytics, SCOPUS, and the ASEAN Citation Index (ACI), with scholarly contributions spanning education, environmental science, and agricultural technology.
MFI and TOWNS Foundation are renowned national organizations that promote access to education, and recognition of outstanding women in the nation’s service.