CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines — Key officials from the Schools Division Office of Catbalogan City (SDO-Catbalogan City), Samar Colleges, Inc. (SCI), and Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School (EVRSHS) convened on September 2, 2026, at the EVRSHS campus for a joint consultative meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration on learning continuity amid emergencies and other disruptions to education.
The meeting brought together officials and representatives from the three institutions for a consultative engagement where both parties reviewed and discussed the provisions Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) prior to its official signing.
Representing SDO-Catbalogan City were Dr. Crista Joy C. Abogadie, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent; Dr. Ma. Luz I. Orbe, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division; Cecilia A. Arga, Education Program Specialist for Learning Resources Management and Development System; and Dr. Ruth D. Cabanganan, School District Supervisor.
EVRSHS was represented by Fernando G. Macabare, OIC-School Head; Maria Jiya L. Gabonada, OIC-Assistant School Principal; and faculty representatives from the Junior and Senior High School Departments. SCI delegates included Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso, Senior Vice President for Programs Development and Quality Assurance (SVP-PDQA); Dr. Nimfa T. Torremoro, Dean of Graduate Studies; Victor M. Plasabas, Jr., OIC-Director for Institutional Research, Innovation, and Services for Extension (IRISE); and members of the PDQA and AI Integration Technical Working Group.
Mr. Fernando G. Macabare welcomed the participating officials and emphasized the importance of collaboration among educational institutions in responding to learners’ needs. He described the meeting as opportunity to strengthen partnerships, bridge learning gaps and provide learners with more educational support.
Madam Crista Joy C. Abogadie likewise expressed her support for innovative and collaborative initiatives that respond to the needs of learners. Recognized to be one of the active supporters of learning resources with quality and supports the needs of the learners, She emphasized the importance of providing essential, appropriate and contextualize learning resources to help students sustain their learning despite challenges and disruptions in education. Her support for quality learning resources underscores the need for responsive interventions that enable to continue their studies amid various circumstances.
She also recognized the role of institutional partnerships in bridging learning gaps, addressing learning loss, and developing interventions that provide learners with meaningful opportunities to continue their education.
A key highlight of the consultation was the presentation of Program Connect, an extension initiative of SCI that seeks to bring educational institutions together in addressing learning gaps and strengthening learning continuity.
Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso emphasized that addressing learning gaps is not the responsibility of one institution alone. She pointed to collaboration among schools, educators, and communities as essential to reaching more learners and developing sustainable interventions.
Her message reflected the central idea behind Program Connect: stronger connections among institutions can lead to stronger support for learners.
To further establish the proposed partnership, Mr. Victor M. Plasabas, Jr., presented the provisions of the proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The discussion outlined the framework for cooperation, the responsibilities of the participating institutions, and mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the program.
The meeting marked a step toward a more coordinated response to learning disruptions, with the three institutions exploring ways to pool their resources, expertise, and efforts for the benefit of learners.
Through Program Connect and the proposed partnership, SDO-Catbalogan City, SCI, and EVRSHS aim to strengthen an education support system that is collaborative, responsive, and resilient—helping ensure that learners continue to have access to essential learning resources and opportunities even when regular schooling is disrupted.