Samar Colleges, Inc. joined the Unified Startups and Startup Enablers for Wealth-Creation, Acceleration, and Growth (USWAG) Eastern Visayas 1st Consortium Meeting on May 14, 2026, at the DOST Conference Room of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VIII in Palo, Leyte, together with leaders and participants from various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Provincial and Local Government Units (PLGUs), industry stakeholders, and startups across the region.

The consortium was chaired by Dr. John Glenn D. Ocaña, Regional Director of DOST Regional Office VIII, and co-chaired by Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, President of Samar State University.

Samar Colleges, Inc. takes pride in being the only Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI) in Eastern Visayas invited to the consortium. In collaboration with DOST and Samar State University, the College supports this initiative to assist startups and startup enablers within the institution, in Catbalogan, and across Samar that are struggling with scalability, marketability, and finding the right partners in the industry.

In addition, the College aims to serve as an “institutional incubator” for local talents and startup businesses by providing opportunities for idea refinement through innovative training programs and workshops, as well as by helping connect them with potential local investors.

“Successful businesses can’t evolve in a vacuum,” stressed Dr. Ocaña as he emphasized the importance of a dynamic business ecosystem and the need for constant collaboration and active partnerships to achieve meaningful growth and innovation.

The meeting also presented a five-year roadmap outlining research collaboration, startup development, and technology-driven initiatives in the region. It highlighted the strategic direction for advancing innovation among startups and how USWAG will serve as an accelerator for these “institutional incubators,” helping elevate their business initiatives toward the global market.

The consortium meeting concluded with all stakeholders expressing their renewed commitment to advancing innovation-driven development in Eastern Visayas under the shared vision of “Forging Bridges. Moving Forward.”