By Jaren Marr P. Jaco
Asst. Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr., CPU CESLC Director, together with representatives from selected higher education institutions and government agencies, shared the University’s volunteer initiatives during PNVSCA’s First Online TV Episode of 2026.
January 24, 2026 (Saturday) — Selected higher education institutions and government agencies were invited by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development–Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (DEPDev-PNVSCA) to share their volunteerism-related activities and achievements for the year 2025.
Among the guests was Asst. Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr., Director of the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center, who presented the volunteer initiatives and accomplishments of Central Philippine University (CPU) during the first online TV episode of DEPDev-PNVSCA.
According to Asst. Prof. Dipol, Central Philippine University implemented various volunteerism-driven initiatives in 2025, including the CPU-Arukahik Tailoring Shop and Training Center, CPU-Outreach Student Volunteers Society, CPU-Center for Mangroves and Marine Biodiversity Conservation, and CPU-Kinaadman Reading Development and Diagnostic Services.
The CPU-Arukahik Tailoring Shop and Training Center offers free training for men and women interested in tailoring and sewing, with beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) given priority. Meanwhile, the CPU-Outreach Student Volunteers Society is a newly established student organization that aims to foster volunteerism among CPU students.
On the other hand, the CPU-Center for Mangroves and Marine Biodiversity Conservation focuses on environmental protection through mangrove rehabilitation and marine biodiversity conservation, offering volunteers opportunities to participate in coastal clean-up drives and mangrove planting activities. Lastly, the CPU-Kinaadman Reading Development and Diagnostic Services supports individuals passionate about education and literacy development, particularly in reading interventions for students.
Aside from Central Philippine University, other invited guest institutions included Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (Negros Occidental), University of La Salette (Santiago City, Isabela), and University of Southern Mindanao (Kabacan, Cotabato).
Meanwhile, the invited government agencies were the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro.
Other academic institutions and selected government agencies also shared their volunteerism accomplishments, particularly in the areas of rehabilitation and development of persons deprived of liberty, livelihood programs and services, capacity building, disaster risk reduction and management, and environmental rehabilitation and protection.
The invited guest speakers are members of the DEPDev-PNVSCA Roster of Experts, making them available to government and non-government organizations seeking expertise in volunteerism initiatives and social development programs.