By Jaren Marr P. Jaco
CPU CESLC Director Asst. Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr. served as one of the resource persons during the International Volunteer Year (IVY) for Sustainable Development observance, where he presented Central Philippine University’s volunteerism and social development initiatives. CPU was the only higher education institution in Western Visayas invited to serve as a resource person for the event.
On June 30, 2026, Central Philippine University (CPU) showcased its volunteerism initiatives at the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026 Forum, organized by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development–Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (DEPDev–PNVSCA).
As the sole higher education institution from Western Visayas invited to serve as a resource person, CPU highlighted its volunteerism, extension, social development, and community engagement programs before representatives from national government agencies, higher education institutions, civil society organizations, corporate organizations, volunteer groups, and various sectors at the regional and national levels.
This initiative aimed to promote awareness and advocacy for volunteerism, showcase volunteerism initiatives and good practices, and highlight partnerships, collaborations, and linkages in response to various development challenges and emerging socio-economic concerns. Aside from the University, the Borres Youth Leadership Institute, the Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas, the Iloilo Business Club, and the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office are also invited to share their volunteerism initiatives.
Some of the volunteerism and social development initiatives presented by Prof. Dipol, with some have integration of volunteerism are CPU-Arukahik Tailoring Shop and Training Center, University Legal Clinic, Kabalaka Reproductive Health Center and Birthing Center, CPU Philippine Native Chicken, Project ETC -provision of feeding and school supplies, Working Student Study Program, CPU Center for Mangroves and Marine Biodiversity Conservation, CPU Kinaadman Reading Development and Diagnostic Services, CPU Family Wellness Center, CPU Kahilwayan Women and Development Program and among others.
The Director of the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center also highlights the accomplishments of the student volunteers’ group, the CPU-Outreach Students’ Volunteers Society (CPU-OSVS), for the 2025- 2026 academic year, which was created to follow the Volunteer Act of 2007, which mandates institutionalizing volunteerism initiatives as a strategy for rural and national development.
This activity, hosted by PNVSCA in partnership with West Visayas State University, was conducted through Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook.