CTERTI

LNU to Empower Palo Barangay-Based Justice System through GeoJustice Project

In a significant step toward strengthening community-based peacekeeping and conflict resolution, Leyte Normal University officially launched the GeoJustice Project in the municipality of Palo.

The initiative was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between LNU President Gil Nicetas B. Villarino and Palo Municipal Mayor Remedios L. Petilla at the Palo Municipal Hall on May 19, 2026.

Funded by the Department of Science and Technology and developed by LNU’s Intellectual Property and Technology Support Office (ITSO) personnel, the project titled “GeoJustice: Strengthening Barangay Justice through Analytics and PNP-Enabled Monitoring” aims to modernize and enhance the operations of the Katarungang Pambarangay or barangay-based justice system.

The GeoJustice platform is designed to provide barangay officials and local authorities with an advanced digital system capable of dispute profiling, automated monitoring and reporting, and geospatial visualization of conflict hotspots. By integrating analytics and Philippine National Police (PNP)-enabled monitoring mechanisms, the project seeks to improve the efficiency, responsiveness, and accuracy of local dispute resolution processes.

Through the initiative, barangay officials, Katarungang Pambarangay councils, LGU personnel, and PNP officers will be better equipped to make timely, data-driven, and evidence-based decisions that support peacekeeping and strengthen community harmony.

The project also reflects LNU’s commitment to innovation and community-responsive research while contributing to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16): Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. By leveraging technology and research for public service, the university continues to advance initiatives that create meaningful and lasting impacts within local communities.

LNU and CPD Region VIII Seal Partnership for Adolescent Pregnancy Research

Leyte Normal University (LNU) and the Commission on Population and Development Region VIII officially strengthened their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the research project, “TAPROOT-BLOOM: Getting to the Root of Teenage Pregnancy,” held on April 29, 2026, at Hotel Crescencia.

The collaboration marks a significant step toward addressing adolescent pregnancy through research-driven initiatives. The project aims to identify and analyze the underlying causes of teenage pregnancy, providing evidence-based insights that will guide the development of responsive programs and interventions geared toward promoting and empowering the well-being of the youth and the wider community.

The MOA signing gathered key officials from both institutions, led by CPD VIII Regional Director, Elnora R. Pulma and LNU President, Gil Nicetas B. Villarino. Also present during the event were PPO IV CPD VIII, Melanie C. Alberto and Executive Director ORI, Myra A. Abayon.

Through this partnership, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to collaborative research and community-centered initiatives that contribute to addressing pressing social concerns affecting young people in the region.

LNU Sparks Climate Action Through Peatlands Research and Innovation Discourse

Leyte Normal University successfully conducted the Climate Action Discourse Series titled “Peatlands: Critical Carbon Sequestration Systems” on April 10, 2026, via Zoom, gathering faculty members and students for a one-day learning and proposal-writing initiative centered on climate action, sustainability, and research innovation.

The discourse emphasized the ecological importance of the Leyte peatlands and their critical role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on climate literacy, environmental sustainability, research gap identification, and proposal development, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to craft responsive and impactful research initiatives.

A highlight of the activity was the collaborative workshop component, where participants developed and presented research proposals addressing climate-related concerns and community-based environmental challenges. These presentations were followed by expert critique and feedback sessions aimed at strengthening the quality and relevance of the proposed studies.

Serving as the resource speaker, Leo Christian V. Lauzon, Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII Private Sector Representative for Social Protection and Grants Manager of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, shared valuable insights on climate change, peatland conservation, and strategies for accessing external research funding. His discussion encouraged participants to pursue innovative, collaborative, and evidence-based approaches in addressing pressing environmental issues.

Organized by the Office of Research and Innovation, Extension and Internationalization, the activity reinforced the university’s commitment to advancing sustainability, promoting climate education, and strengthening research competencies among its academic community. Through initiatives such as this discourse series, LNU continues to foster community-responsive research and empower future researchers to contribute meaningful solutions toward environmental preservation and climate resilience.

TRAINING WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING RESEARCH PROPOSALS FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FUNDING

Consistent with Leyte Normal University’s mandate to advance research productivity and institutional competitiveness, the Office of Research and Innovation will conduct the Training Workshop on Developing Research Proposals for Internal and External Funding on February 19–21, 2026. The workshop is designed to respond to the highly competitive nature of research and extension funding, where national agencies and international funding institutions prioritize proposals that are strategically aligned, methodologically sound, and responsive to societal needs.

Many faculty members and research personnel face challenges in translating research ideas into proposals that meet agency-specific priorities, formats, and evaluation standards. These gaps often lead to proposal disapproval and underrepresentation in externally funded research initiatives. Strengthening researchers’ technical competencies in proposal conceptualization, design, and alignment is therefore essential to maximizing funding opportunities and research impact.

The workshop aims to enhance participants’ capacity to develop competitive, high-quality research and extension proposals through targeted training, guided mentoring, and hands-on proposal development. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing agency-informed guidance, the activity seeks to improve proposal success rates and reinforce the University’s commitment to producing impactful, fundable research that supports institutional, national, and global development goals.

LNU Leads Sustainable Tourism Research for Villaba, Leyte

Leyte Normal University continues to advance its commitment to sustainability and community-responsive research through a tourism development initiative in Villaba.

Through its Research, Innovation, Extension, and Internationalization Program, the university conducted a study aimed at developing a science-based framework for sustainable tourism planning and development in the municipality. The initiative seeks to support local tourism efforts while ensuring the protection of natural resources, environmental integrity, and community welfare.

The research project, led by Dr. Jonas P. Villas, provides strategic recommendations that promote a balanced approach to tourism development—one that encourages economic growth and local opportunities while prioritizing environmental conservation and long-term sustainability.

The study highlights the importance of responsible tourism practices and evidence-based planning in preserving the municipality’s ecological and cultural assets. By integrating sustainability principles into tourism initiatives, the project aims to help the local government and stakeholders establish development programs that are both inclusive and environmentally sound.

The research findings now serve as a valuable foundation for the municipality’s eco-tourism planning and policy formulation, guiding future initiatives toward responsible, community-centered, and sustainable tourism development.

Through initiatives such as this, LNU continues to demonstrate its vital role in generating research-driven solutions that address community needs, promote environmental stewardship, and contribute to sustainable local development in the region.