13/07/2026
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๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. PASAY CITY โ Presidents of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Western Visayas are joining fellow higher education leaders from across the country for the 2026 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Annual Convention and General Assembly, now underway at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City from July 13 to 15, 2026.
Carrying the theme "Transformative Leadership and Strategic Governance: Empowering SUCs for Sustainable and Inclusive Futures," the three-day gathering serves as PASUC's premier national forum for collaboration, policy dialogue, and strategic planning among SUC presidents, administrators, and education stakeholders. The convention features keynote addresses, high-level leaders' exchanges, policy discussions, and plenary sessions with officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), Department of Justice (DOJ), EDCOM II, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, British Council, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and other national and international partners.
Founded in 1967, PASUC has long served as the unified voice of the country's State Universities and Colleges, championing reforms that have shaped Philippine higher educationโfrom faculty welfare and accreditation to governance, funding, quality assurance, and student representation. Today, it continues to strengthen collaboration among SUCs while helping institutions respond to the evolving demands of quality, innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
Among those representing Western Visayas are Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), Dr. Joselito Villaruz of West Visayas State University (WVSU), RASUC VI Chair Dr. Lilian Diana Parreรฑo of Guimaras State University (GSU), Dr. Jeffrey Clarin of Aklan State University (ASU), Dr. Efren Linan of Capiz State University (CAPSU), Dr. Raffy Reyes of Northern Iloilo State University (NISU), and Dr. Gabriel Salistre Jr. of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U).
The convention opens with keynote messages from national education leaders, including Senate President Hon. Sherwin "Win" T. Gatchalian, CHED Commissioner Hon. Michelle A. Ong, and PASUC President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, followed by a series of dialogues on governance, accountability, internationalization, digital transformation, research, innovation, commercialization, and human capital development. The program also features discussions led by EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark R. Yee, CHED Chairperson Hon. Shirley C. Agrupis, Senator Joel Villanueva, UNESCO National Commission Secretary-General Ivan Anthony S. Henares, and other leaders shaping the future of Philippine higher education.
Through active participation in national conversations such as the PASUC Convention, Western Visayas SUCs continue to strengthen partnerships, exchange best practices, and contribute to policies and initiatives that advance quality, inclusive, and future-ready higher education for Filipino learners. (PAMMCO | AI Assisted)
๐ธ Photo (from left): Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. (ISUFST), Dr. Joselito Villaruz (WVSU), RASUC VI Chair Dr. Lilian Diana Parreรฑo (GSU), Dr. Jeffrey Clarin (ASU), Dr. Efren Linan (CAPSU), Dr. Raffy Chavez (NISU), and Dr. Gabriel Salistre Jr. (ISAT U).
The CLARION The Sea Treasure The Blaze-ISUFST DC The Igang Publication Golden Grains- Iloilo State University of Fisheries, Science and Technology
