VSU Department of Economics

Today, June 19, 2026, the Department of Economics received the recommendation for the issuance of a Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) for its Master of Science in Applied Economics program for Academic Year 2026–2027. The evaluation of the program documents and inspection of academic facilities were conducted by representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Panel for Economics.

Representing the Technical Panel for Economics were its Chair, Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., who also serves as Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and panel member Dr. Agham C. Cuevas, Vice Chancellor of UPLB. Representing CHED were Ms. Charity Barrera from the Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD), CHED Central Office (CHEDCO), and Dr. Jane Arguelles-Latorre from the CHED Regional Office VIII (CHEDRO VIII).

Dr. Zyra May H. Centino, Head of the Department of Economics, led the presentation of the program and its supporting documents, together with the faculty and staff of the department.

Following the presentation, Dr. Camacho expressed confidence in the program, noting that the existing VSU Graduate Program Manual provides a strong framework for its implementation. He also commended the qualifications and expertise of the Department of Economics graduate faculty members who will lead the program. Meanwhile, Dr. Cuevas remarked that the university's facilities are adequate to support courses requiring statistical and quantitative analysis.

The evaluation panel also identified areas for further enhancement. Among the key recommendations were strengthening information dissemination strategies, particularly for prospective international students, and further aligning the curriculum with Visayas State University's vision as a green university.

The site visit, held at the VSU Graduate Education Conference Room, was attended by key university officials, including Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, President of Visayas State University; Dr. Rotacio S. Gravoso, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, Vice President for Administration and Finance and faculty member of the Department of Economics; Dr. Mark C. Ratilla, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Economics; Dr. Marilyn M. Belarmino, Director of Graduate Studies; and Dr. Joel Ray U. Acob, Director for Quality Assurance.

The VSU Department of Economics is seeking qualified applicants for two (2) Part-time Instructor positions.

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application letter, resume, and other relevant documents through jobs.vsu.edu.ph. Application letter must be addressed to Dr. Zyra May H. Centino, Head of the Department of Economics.

Upon application, kindly note the job code PKHNLO.

The deadline for application is June 12, 2026.

Congratulations to our young !

DOE Head Dr. Zyra May H. Centino and DOE faculty member Dr. Lemuel S. Preciados attended the Workshop for the Development of the CHED Roadmap for Economics Education held on May 17–19, 2026, in Tacloban City. The event was organized by the Department of Economics, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

The workshop was part of a nationwide initiative that aims to bring together higher education institutions (HEIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local universities and colleges (LUCs) to develop, validate, and co-design a strategic roadmap for the future of Economics education in the Philippines.

According to Dr. Centino, the activity was an important step toward strengthening the curriculum of DOE.

Mr. Carlito O. Suganob, also known as Kuya Lito, is described in the Department of Economics as a patient and calm presence. Even on the busiest days, he remains a steady and dependable force, supporting faculty, staff, students, and clients with unwavering dedication.

Kuya Lito earned his Diploma in Secretarial Science from the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception in Baybay City in 1982. He began his career at Visayas State University in the same year as a laborer, conducting fieldwork for research under the Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science, back when the university was still known as the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA). After the department reorganized in the late 1980s, he became a clerk in the newly separated Department of Food Science and Technology. In 2017, he was promoted to Administrative Aide VI in the same department and was subsequently transferred to the Department of Economics in 2018.

During his retirement party, organized by the DOE on March 27, 2026, at the VSU Beach Garden, Kuya Lito expressed his heartfelt gratitude to VSU for the opportunity to work alongside many dedicated professionals. He shared that he never expected to become part of the Viscan community.

In his speech, he reflected on the challenges of his early life, describing how difficult circumstances once made education seem like a distant dream. Coming from a family of modest means, he never imagined pursuing formal education. However, through perseverance as a working student since high school, he earned a vocational degree which later opened the door for his career at VSU. He added that this opportunity allowed him to support his family. His children were able to attend school and complete college degrees. Reflecting on his life during retirement, Kuya Lito expressed happiness and gratitude for his accomplishments and all the answered prayers along the way.

Thank you for the 40 years of service and commitment, Kuya Lito. We wish you happiness, joy, and fulfillment in your retirement. A very happy birthday as well!

As Women’s Month comes to a close, we celebrate the extraordinary women of DOE whose impact goes far beyond the classroom and office. They are leaders, mothers, sisters, daughters, and companions whose strength, compassion, and unwavering care inspire those around them every day. Their dedication radiates through classrooms, offices, homes, and into the hearts of many.

Here is to the women who light up our world today and every day. Happy Women’s Month!

Currency Wars Take Center Stage in DOE Seminar

Today, March 26, 2026, Dr. Samuel Brien of Queen’s University, Canada, delivered an insightful seminar on currency wars at Philrootcrops Training Hall, VSU. In his talk, Dr. Brien discussed current trends in the value of the US dollar and how countries are increasingly exploring alternative currencies beyond it. He further elaborated on the implications of economic competition, diplomacy, devaluation and austerity both within the United States and across the global economy. In closing, he emphasized how this competition–diplomacy–devaluation framework provides a valuable lens for understanding ongoing geopolitical developments.

Dr. Brien’s seminar was one of the highlight activities organized by the DOE and the Young Economist's Society (YES) for the 16th anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Management and Economics (FME). On the same day, DOE alumni Ms. Shaina Arcillas and Mr. Ceasar Peter Aves were invited as keynote speakers for the FMEntorship. In their respective talks, they shared their post-college journeys and insights into building meaningful careers. Ms. Arcillas is currently one of the homegrown researchers at VSU while Mr. Aves serves as an Economic Development Specialist at DEPDev Region VIII.

Following the series of talks, the YES proceeded with the Economic Case Study Competition, which showcased the research competence and analytical skills of BS Economics and BSA Agricultural Economics students. The case topics focused on the economic impacts of conditional cash transfer programs and local development planning on poverty reduction in the Philippines. Judges for the competition were Dr. Brien, Ms. Arcillas, Mr. Aves, and DOE faculty member and YES adviser, Prof. Ernesto F. Bulayog.