CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – Samar Colleges, Inc. (SC), strengthens ties with the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Project Law Enforcement Officers Volunteers for Education (LOVE) on Monday, July 27, 2026, held at SPPO Brgy. Maulong, Catbalogan City.

The signing ceremony, hosted by the SPPO during their traditional Monday flag raising ceremony was attended by key officials from SC—including the Senior Vice-President (SVP) for Academic Programs, Dr. Pedrito G. Padilla, Director for Campus Communication and External Services, Mr. Roque Villarin, Dean of College of Criminal Justice Education (COCJE), Ms. Mary-Ann Abaigar, OIC Dean of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS), Mr. Jerick C. Cuevas, and Scholarship Programs Coordinator, Ms. Cherry Angelie Florentino.

Preliminaries of the activity included the mass singing of the national anthem, an invocation led by the SPPO-Police Staff Sergeant (PSSg) Melvin Partoza, recitation of the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas led by Pat. Hilario C Alega III, mass singing of the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn, audio visual presentation of the (AVP) of the ASEAN 2026 Song, recitation of the Panata sa Bagong Pilipinas led by the SPPO-Police Masters Sergeant (PMSg) Leo Labso, and the recitation of the Police Officers Pledge led by SPPO-PSSg Ken Andrew Camposano.

The SPPO-Provincial Director, Police Colonel (PCOL) Arwin Tadeo, afterwards delivered a welcome remarks, expressing gratitude to its partner institution, SC, and its stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to advancing educational opportunities through Project LOVE, and emphasizing the importance of collaboration in creating programs that empower students and, at the same time, strengthens community development.

This was followed by the Chief of Provincial Peace and Order/Police Strategy Management Unit (PPSMU), Police Lieutenant Colonel (PLTCOL) Leonides Sydiongco, presenting the new batch of beneficiaries for Project LOVE, who are enrolled criminology students from SC, endorsed by the Dean of COCJE, Ms. Abaigar.

Came after is the signing of the MOU, executed by Dr. Padilla and PCOL Tadeo along with other key officials, continuing the meaningful partnership dedicated to providing lasting support and opportunities to the beneficiaries.

The SVP for Academic Programs of SC, Dr. Padilla also delivered a message, emphasizing how the MOU signing represents a shared vision of service and collaboration, hoping all partners to work together in ensuring the continued success of Project LOVE and its positive impact on the lives of its intended beneficiaries.

Finally, certificate of appreciation and tokens were given by the SPPO through its Provincial Director, PCOL Tadeo, assisted by Deputy Provincial Director for Administration (DPDA), PLTCOL Aquilino Pongcol III and Deputy Provincial Director for Operations (DPDO), PLTCOL Jonathan Cuntapay, symbolizing gratitude and acknowledgment to its partner institution for their continued support on the program’s implementation.

The activity, formally concluded through the mass singing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Hymn, left participants with a renewed sense of commitment to the shared goals and aspirations embodied in Project LOVE.

The Project LOVE, a scholarship program launched in February 2025 in partnership with local academic institutions that offer Bachelor of Science in Criminology, such as SC, is an initiative of the SPPO to provide financial and educational support to deserving criminology students, so as to support aspiring police officers by equipping them with proper values and trainings.

Through this initiative, both institutions look forward to continue creating meaningful opportunities that inspire student empowerment and strengthen community engagement.