On May 16-17, 2017, the NEDA-VI staff assisted Guimaras State College (GSC) in its workshop to assess its 10-year Strategic Development Plan at the Magic Island Resort, Guimaras. The activity was led by Dr. Rogelio Altaro, the College President and attended by the deans, campus administrators, faculty and staff and non-teaching personnel.

The activity enabled the college to determine whether strategies, programs and projects identified and implemented indeed achieved the GSC’s desired goals, objectives, and targets. It determined how well the college was able to overcome its weaknesses and threats by taking advantage of its strengths and opportunities. Also, it provided an opportunity for the College personnel to identify what still needs to be done in the coming years.
RD Ro-Ann A. Bacal, in her message, highlighted the critical role of GSC in the development of the Province of Guimaras and the Western Visayas region. She urged the college to be ready for emerging developments i.e. the construction of a bridge connecting Panay and Guimaras. She, likewise, emphasized the importance of research as a tool to contribute to evidenced-based policies. Because of this, GSC must align its researches with the Regional Research Agenda formulated by the NEDA-VI, in collaboration with regional line agencies and other research institutions. The Regional Research Agenda is a list of researchable topics that responds to issues and concerns identified in the Regional Development Plan.

A team from NEDA-VI composed of Ms. Ma. Teresa G. Guadalupe of the Development Research Division, Ma. Isabel B. Blancia of the Project Development, Investment Programming, and Budget Division and Mr. Othello E. Derecho of the Plan Formulation and Policy Division assisted the GSC in the conduct of the plan assessment. The same team also assist other SUCs in the preparation of their Strategic Development Plans (DRD-NEDA).