MAGALLANO ATTENDS A 3-DAY STRATEGIC CONVERGENCE IN MARABUT, SAMAR TO STRENGTHEN COUNCIL OPERATION AND PROGRAM ALIGNMENT TO UN SDGs

Marabut, Samar — July 24, 2025 

In a proactive move to advance student governance and sustainable development, the Institutional Supreme Student Council (ISSC), led by President Revy Magallano, actively took part in the three-day Strategic Convergence cum Team Building held from July 14 to 16, 2025, in Marabut, Samar. The event brought together university leaders, key officials, and student representatives to focus on operational planning, alignment with national priorities, and the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) into institutional programs.

The convergence opened with a message from University President Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, who emphasized unity, institutional resilience, and strategic foresight in sustaining NwSSU’s development momentum. Throughout the event, we in the ISSC, alongside other attendees, participated in a series of workshops and presentations led by experts from DEPDev and DBM Region VIII. These sessions strengthened our capabilities in budget planning, proposal crafting, and compliance with government standards. These are vital tools for enhancing governance and project implementation within the student council.

One of the event’s key highlights was the focus on procurement reforms, where we explored the transition from RA 9184 to RA 12009. The sessions, facilitated by Atty. Rissa L. Ofilada and Ms. Floradel Bariso of the University of the Philippines Procurement Office (UPPO), enhanced our understanding of strategic procurement and reinforced the importance of transparency and accountability in institutional processes. These are principles we uphold within the ISSC.

The convergence concluded with a team-building session facilitated by Mr. Reden M. Sabela from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This activity helped strengthen interdepartmental collaboration and fostered a sense of solidarity among all sectors of the university.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Pecayo commended the active participation of all stakeholders and encouraged continued synergy in realizing our shared institutional goals. We, in the ISSC, take this as both recognition and a challenge to keep aligning our council efforts with broader university and global development objectives.

"Being part of this strategic convergence clearly tells us to better understand how student councils can align with institutional reforms and the SDGs. There is a much needed calibration of our programs, we hope that the ISSC will transform to become better. This is how we grow, not just as leaders, but as catalysts of change," our President Revy Magallano shared.

As NwSSU lays the foundation for Fiscal Year 2026, the Institutional Supreme Student Council reaffirms its commitment to meaningful student engagement, transparent governance, and inclusive leadership guided by global awareness and a shared purpose.