Article By Nathan Del Rosario
CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines—Samar State University (SSU) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region VIII formally sealed a partnership through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held earlier today, August 19, 2025 at the SSU Main Campus, Catbalogan City.
The MOU signing underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to foster collaboration in future engagements, projects, and initiatives aimed at strengthening human rights education, research, and community involvement. With this partnership, SSU and CHR Region 8 envision a broad spectrum of activities such as training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and academic exchanges that uphold the promotion and protection of human dignity.
Alongside the MOU, a MOA was also signed for the project titled “Empowering School-Based Bully-Free Zone Initiatives.” This agreement strengthens SSU’s active role in advancing a safe and inclusive learning environment by empowering schools to establish anti-bullying mechanisms and support systems. The project seeks to provide workshops, advocacy campaigns, and intervention strategies that address bullying in school campuses.
SSU was represented by University President Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, Vice-President for Research and Extension Services Engr. Mirador G. Labrador, and Director for Research Center for Culture and Social Issues (RCCSI), Dir. Maria Rubi M. Parrocho. On the other hand, CHR was represented by CHR Region VIII OIC Regional Director, Atty. Joy P. Sodusta.
The dual signing of the MOU and MOA symbolizes a strengthened alliance between the academe and the Philippines’ human rights protection arm, affirming that education and advocacy must go hand in hand in creating a just, compassionate, and empowered society.
CHR also provided SSU with an orientation of the Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. This new partnership is actively spearheaded by the SSU RCCSI.