November 4, 2023 - President Mani, members of the RSU Main and various campuses, and LGU partner agencies joined forces in the final launching program of the University Community Empowerment through Sustainable Services (UNICESS) program at Lumbang Weste Covered Court in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.

The UNICESS program is an initiative of the Romblon State University that aims to foster deeper relationships with isolated and remote communities in the islands of Romblon.

The RSU faculty conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with various demographic groups such as mothers, fathers, children, teens, and solo parents.

Questions were anchored on the four specific domains of the program namely: health, education, environment, and livelihood.

After the conduct of the FGD, the Memorandum of Agreement was signed by the RSU top officials and LGU partners including Head of Barangay, Hon. Carlos Galang, SK Chairperson, Hon. Milky Rey, and IPMR-SB, Hon. Lydia Regla Raet, along with chieftains of three selected houshold clusters, Panaguintingan - Chieftain Antonieto Rabino, Haguimit - Chieftain Ramon Regala, and Guin-Alan - Chieftain Daniel Reaño.

Pres. Mani delivered a message to thank the willingness of the community to open their doors to the RSU for the conduct of UNICESS.

"This is not the end of the UNICESS program. This is just the beginning. You can count on us to go back and become your partners in building and developing your communities," said Pres. Mani.

Also in attendance was the municipal mayor of Cajidiocan, Hon. Marvin Greggy Royo Ramos, who expressed his profound gratitude to the RSU community for extending their support to the IP communities in Sibuyan, stressing that this extension service is instrumental to nation building and cultural preservation.

One of the highlights of the program was the conduct of the project "Munting Basura ay Ibulsa," in which all members of the program received candy and lollipops and simultaneously placed wrappers in their respective pockets to symbolize proper waste disposal in their respective communities.

The university also distributed food packs containing coffee sachets, five kilos of rice, and medicines among 200 beneficiaries divided among three clusters.

As a part of the UNICESS launching, RSU also installed 10 new ambassadors for the LOREN project, which stands for "Leveraging Opportunities for a Resilient and Eco-Friendly Nation: A Green Philippines Initiative."

The LOREN ambassadors will fulfill their responsibilities related to the LOREN thrusts of the programs, namely: Land Restoration and Conservation, Ocean Protection and Conservation, Renewable Energy Promotion, Environmental Education and Awareness, Natural Resource Management.

The UNICESS program began its series of launches in December 2021 with a series of launching programs in various remote locations, such as (1) Puro Island in Sta. Fe, (2) Cabibihan in Calatrava, (3) Dayongdong in San Agustin, (4) Pinamihagan in San Jose, (5) Cobrador in Romblon, with its final location in Sitio Panaguintingan, Sibuyan.

The second phase of the UNICESS program is envisioned to take place in the first quarter of 2024, in which the lead committee heads will present the findings of the FGDs, lay down projects and programs for the beneficiaries, and delegate roles and committees to all participating colleges and units.

Photos taken by: RSU Media & Public Affairs