In a strong demonstration of academic leadership, civic engagement, and developmental outreach, the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA)–Sipocot formally launched on August 6, 2025, the Muklat-Buklat Project Pitching and Letter of Agreement Signing today at the university grounds, introducing Project HOPE (Holistic Outreach for Promoting Education), a multi-sectoral initiative designed to address the critical educational and social needs of learners in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
Carrying the banner theme “Literacy in Action: A Collaborative Response to the Needs of GIDA Learners,” the project aligns with CBSUA’s extension agenda and the Philippine Development Plan’s (PDP) goals on inclusive education, health equity, and community empowerment. It is also deeply anchored in the university’s extension agenda of uplifting lives of the marginalized sectors, reflecting CBSUA’s commitment to service beyond instruction.
Dr. Darrel M. Ocampo, Dean of the College of Education and the project’s lead proponent, delivered a compelling project presentation, detailing the four transformative pillars of Project HOPE:
- Project BULIG – Pedagogical retooling and support for teachers;
- Project KUSOG – Community-based health, nutrition, and wellness campaigns;
- Project HARIGI – Psychosocial support and parental capacity-building.
- Project PAGKAMOOT – Literacy assessment and intervention for young learners
“This is more than just a literacy program. This is a call to serve. Project HOPE is our university’s response to the pressing gaps in education and community wellness in hard-to-reach areas,” said Dr. Ocampo.
A vital highlight of the event was the signing of the Letter of Agreement (LOA), sealing the multi-stakeholder partnership with key external collaborators: Kaya Natin! Youth Sipocot, a youth-led NGO known for its grassroots governance advocacy; Rural Health Unit (RHU) and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sipocot; Naga College Foundation–Graduate Studies; and the Department of Education.
Kaya Natin! Youth Sipocot actively participated in the project pitching, offering key insights and feedback to ensure youth inclusivity and responsiveness in the rollout of the program.
Project HOPE is set to run from August to December 2025, featuring a series of community outreach and learning support activities such as health and nutrition campaigns, teaching innovations and material development, psychosocial and wellness support for parents and caregivers, and literacy and remedial sessions for GIDA learners and teachers
Through these, CBSUA-Sipocot reaffirms its position as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development, echoing the national goals for accessible education, healthy communities, and resilient rural populations.
As Muklat-Buklat opens new chapters of service, Project HOPE stands as a symbol of CBSUA’s unwavering belief: that no learner, regardless of distance or disadvantage, should ever be left behind. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘳. 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭 𝘔. 𝘖𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘰
