Article by Rinaliza Gabon
DARAM, Samar – Samar State University (SSU), in partnership with the local government of Daram, Samar, held strategic planning activities at Daram Cultural Hall on July 4 to 5, 2024.
Spearheaded by selected center directors and faculty members from SSU, and was actively participated by Daram LGU representatives and residents, the event highlights a participatory approach in the formulation of problem-solving initiatives.
Specifically, it covered series of discussions and profiling activities to properly identify the community’s issues and possible solutions. Prof. Ronald L. Orale, SSU Engineering faculty, introduced the topic on “Visioning Blue Ocean Framework and Social Progress,” alongside an orientation of the national government’s Ambisyon Natin 2040. The Director for SSU Research Center for Culture and Social Issues (RCCSI), Ms. Maria Rubi M. Parrocho, provided a situation analysis of Daram’s economy, while Ms. Mary Jane B. Cinco conducted a gap analysis to help Daram residents address community issues. Lastly, SSU Director for Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Research and Development (CFARRD), Ms. Dianne Shane Balindo, led the drafting of a problem tree analysis to bridge the vision and identified problems of the target community.
To cap off the activity, Prof. Marife Mustacisa-Lacaba conducted a workshop on ‘solution trees’ to demonstrate that every problem has a solution. A geotagging workshop was also administered by SSU Engineering faculty members, Engr. Alvin Macariola, Engr. Mark Anthony Calipayan, and Engr. Walvies Alcos.
Daram is the first municipality in Samar to undertake such project that focuses on resilience and sustaining economic progress. This initiative aims to transform visions into reality, setting a benchmark for other municipalities.