ISLA - LEtS CARE

24/05/2026

DOST Samar Empowers Daram Communities through Psychological Capital and Inclusive Community Engagement Training

The Department of Science and Technology – Samar Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST Samar PSTO), through the DOST KATHA Project, successfully conducted the training titled “Cultivating Mindsets and Building Psychological Capital for Inclusive and Sustainable Community Engagement” on May 7–8, 2026, at the Covered Court of Brgy. Astorga, Daram, Samar.

The two-day training gathered farmers, fisherfolk, and food processors from Barangays Astorga and Marupangdan, Daram, Samar, providing them with an opportunity to strengthen personal and community capacities toward inclusive and sustainable development.

The activity aimed to cultivate a growth-oriented community mindset anchored on self-efficacy, resilience, adaptability, and gender equality, fostering stronger participation and collaboration in community development initiatives. Through interactive discussions, reflective learning sessions, and participatory activities, participants were empowered to build confidence, strengthen social connections, and enhance their capacity to contribute to long-term community resilience and sustainability.

This activity forms part of the key deliverables of the DOST KATHA Project, spearheaded by Dr. Evelyn Bacarra-Tablante, Provincial Science and Technology Director of DOST Samar PSTO. The project aims to empower communities and promote sustainable agri-fishery practices that address immediate community needs while strengthening long-term resilience, productivity, and socio-economic development.

Serving as resource speakers were Ms. Jane B. Cinco, faculty member of the CAS Psychology Department, and Ms. Glady O. Roma, Faculty and GAD Coordinator of the College of Engineering of Samar State University. Their expertise and insights significantly enriched the learning experience of the participants and contributed to the success of the activity.

The activity was further supported by Mr. Lemuel Karl Tadios, faculty researcher of Samar State University, and Ms. Jessica D. Barredo, Project Technical Staff of DOST Samar PSTO, who served as facilitator and documenter. Their dedication and invaluable support greatly contributed to the smooth implementation of the training.

DOST Samar PSTO remains steadfast in advancing science, technology, and innovation (STI) interventions that empower communities, promote sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen resilience toward inclusive development in Samar.

11/05/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀-𝐋𝐄𝐭𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲

The 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔-𝗟𝗘𝘁𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, through 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝟭: 𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔 – 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, conducted a two-day training titled “𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨” on 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟳–𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿.

The activity gathered 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸𝘀, and 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 from 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮 and 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗻 and aimed to strengthen psychological resilience, positive mindset development, gender awareness, and sustainable community engagement among participants.

The training formally opened with registration and preliminaries facilitated by 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗗. 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗼, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗜 from 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗦𝗧𝗢, followed by opening remarks from 𝗠𝗿. 𝗟𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗔. 𝗧𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀, 𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.

On the first day, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕. 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼, 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, discussed 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁, emphasizing the importance of positive thinking, adaptability, and continuous learning in overcoming personal and community challenges. This was followed by a session on 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 facilitated by 𝗠𝘀. 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗢. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮, 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 and 𝗚𝗔𝗗 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 of the 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, which focused on building self-confidence and strengthening the participants’ ability to accomplish goals and responsibilities.

The second day focused on strengthening community participation and social awareness. 𝗠𝘀. 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗢. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮 facilitated the discussion on 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, highlighting the importance of cooperation, preparedness, and collective action in addressing community concerns and challenges. Meanwhile, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕. 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼 discussed 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, emphasizing inclusive participation and equal opportunities in community development initiatives.

The activity concluded with closing remarks delivered by 𝗠𝘀. 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗗. 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗼, who expressed appreciation to the participants and partner stakeholders for their active participation and support for the activity.

Through activities such as this, Project KATHA continues to promote inclusive, people-centered, and sustainable community engagement by strengthening not only technical skills but also the mindset, resilience, and social participation of community members.

15/04/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀-𝐋𝐄𝐭𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞-𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐠𝐲. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐚𝐧

On 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, in 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗻, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿, the ISLA-LEtS CARE Program, through 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡, conducted a 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦-𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴 for local community members.

The activity was led by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗝. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗿., 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡, together with 𝗠𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗔. 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗮𝘆, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡 and representative from 𝗗𝗧𝗜-𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿. The session focused on equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills in determining product costs, setting appropriate prices, understanding profit sharing and applying effective selling strategies.

Participants, composed of 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗻, were guided on how to compute expenses, ensure fair pricing, distribute profits among members and improve the marketability of their products. The discussion also highlighted the importance of value-adding practices in increasing income and sustaining small-scale enterprises.

The training forms part of the continuing efforts of Project YAMAN to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and livelihood opportunities in the community through capacity-building and market-oriented interventions.

14/04/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀-𝐋𝐄𝐭𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞-𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐠𝐲. 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚

On 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, in 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿, the ISLA-LEtS CARE Program, through 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡 [Encompassing with the Project AGHAM], conducted a discussion on the 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 followed by a 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲-𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴. This activity is also contributory to the accomplishment of Project AGHAM.

The activity gathered the 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗻, aiming to enhance their knowledge on both the 𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 and 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 of locally grown crops.

𝗠𝘀. 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗢. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗴𝗮𝘀 discussed the health benefits of squash and string beans, highlighting their nutritional importance and role in promoting better health. Meanwhile, 𝗠𝘀. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗲 𝗖. 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗮 presented the 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 and facilitated a hands-on training workshop on 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Participants were guided through the process of transforming sweet corn into value-added products, providing them with practical skills that can support additional income opportunities and community-based enterprise development.

The activity reinforces the program’s commitment to promoting nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and value-adding practices, empowering local communities through science-based and livelihood-oriented interventions.

31/03/2026

30/03/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀-𝐋𝐄𝐭𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞-𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐠𝐲. 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚

On 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, in 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿, the 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔-𝗟𝗘𝘁𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, through 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡, conducted a 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲-𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 focusing on the processing of 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 into 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 at the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮.
The string beans used in the activity were sourced from the 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, as part of the ongoing implementation of the 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺. This activity is also contributory to the accomplishment of Project AGHAM.

The session was facilitated by 𝗠𝘀. 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗢. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗴𝗮𝘀, Project Member of Project YAMAN, who demonstrated the 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱-𝘣𝘺-𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴. The activity highlighted practical techniques in food processing that can help extend shelf life, improve product value, and create additional income opportunities for the community.

Through this initiative, participants were introduced to 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦-𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 that support sustainable agriculture and livelihood development, aligning with the goals of Project YAMAN to enhance productivity and promote community-based enterprise.

26/03/2026

| DOST-PCAARRD Evaluates SSU’s ISLA-LEtS CARE Program to Strengthen Science-Based Livelihoods in Samar’s Island Communities

Read More: https://www.ssu.edu.ph/2026/03/26/dost-pcaarrd-evaluates-ssus-isla-lets-care-program-to-strengthen-science-based-livelihoods-in-samars-island-communities/

Samar State University is an educational landmark of vital importance to the province of Samar. It gives everyone the opportunity to pursue higher education, which is very much needed for vocational proficiency, and individual as well as national development.

25/03/2026

20/03/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀-𝐋𝐄𝐭𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐠𝐲. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐚𝐧

As a follow-through to the earlier 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, the ISLA-LEtS CARE Program, through 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗨𝗛𝗔𝗬, conducted a community-based mangrove monitoring activity on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, in 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗻, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿.

The activity was carried out by community leaders, fisherfolk leaders, and representative from the 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 – 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, led by 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗿. 𝗥𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻. Participants applied the knowledge and skills gained from the training in assessing the condition of mangrove areas within their community.

The activity focused on observing the current state of mangrove resources and promoting practical, community-driven approaches to coastal resource management. It also reinforced the role of local stakeholders in ensuring the protection and sustainability of marine ecosystems.

Through continued field activities like this, the program supports the development of locally led environmental initiatives and strengthens community responsibility in conserving coastal resources.

19/03/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀-𝐋𝐄𝐭𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦

𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗠, 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗥 — On March 19, 2026, the ISLA-LETS CARE Program conducted a site survey, space measurement, and technical assessment for the proposed Barangay Materials Recovery and Waste Collection Facility in Barangays Marupangdan and Astorga, Daram, Samar.

Anchored on 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗨𝗛𝗔𝗬—Building Understanding for Habitat and Ecosystem Advancement and Yield—and supported by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡 (Agri-Fishery Practices through Product Resource Value Addition and Commercialization Enhancement Project) under the ISLA-LEtS CARE Program, the activity was conducted by the 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗦𝗦𝗨) in collaboration with the 𝗦𝗦𝗨 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 – 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗠𝗣𝗠), led by 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘋𝘳. 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘯 𝘑. 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘑𝘳., who also serves as the Project Leader of ISLA-LEtS CARE Project YAMAN.

The assessment involved site inspection, space measurement, and technical evaluation to generate essential data for the planning and design of the proposed facility. These activities ensure the facility will be responsive to the community's environmental conditions and operational needs.

The proposed Materials Recovery and Waste Collection Facility will support proper waste management, site sanitation, and environmentally sound operations. It is expected to enhance waste management practices while supporting sustainable agri-aqua production and community-based livelihood activities in the barangays.