By Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.

Director Donald James D. Gawe, Executive Director of Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, is a presiding officer during the 2nd Western Visayas Volunteerism Consortium Meeting here in CPU.

Last July 8, 2025, the Central Philippine University hosted the 2nd Western Visayas Volunteerism Consortium Meeting, which tackled various volunteerism initiatives, future collaborations, and partnerships of different higher education institutions across the region.

Among the participants were Aklan State University, Capiz State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, Guimaras State University, Northern Iloilo State University, St. Paul University Iloilo, University of Antique, University of San Agustin, and West Visayas State University.

The Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center shared some volunteerism initiatives, such as the establishment of CPU Outreach Student Volunteers Society (CPU-OSVS), Arukahik-Tailoring Shop and Training Center, CPU-University Legal Clinics, and the outreach framework of Program ERNEST. Other higher education institutions also shared their volunteerism initiatives.

The consortium concluded with major resolutions such as a joint outreach activity at the Ati Village in Aklan, tentatively dated for December 2025 in celebration of National Volunteer Month, and the development of the Student Manual on Volunteerism for higher education institutions across the region.