CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines— Samar State University (SSU), through its Technology Business Incubator-Local Alliance of Marine-based Businesses and Food Technology (TBI-LAMBAT), spearheaded a benchmarking activity among various offices in the Province of Samar today, April 16, 2025, at the SSU Convention Center, Catbalogan City. Dubbed as “Strengthening Innovation and Collaboration with SSU TBI-LAMBAT Team and USWAG,” the activity highlighted the University’s initiatives in fostering innovation and collaboration.
SSU President Dr. Redentor S. Palencia commenced the event with a welcome remark, emphasizing his vision for SSU to become an “innovation corridor” and a center of high-end innovation in the Philippines and the ASEAN region.
The gathering featured key discussions from Dr. Vivian L. Moya, Director for SSU’s Intellectual Property and Technology Business Development Office (IPTBDO), who presented the humble beginnings and background of the TBI-LAMBAT—the first TBI facility in Region VIII, and home, training facility, and command point of new start-up ventures and thriving MSME’s in the region. Furthermore, both Engr. Raven C. Tabiongan, SSU-SIGISDAC Director, and Engr. Reggie Mendoza, Project Administrative Assistant, shared the various undertakings and accomplishments under the USWAG program, an alliance of startups, incubators, accelerators, investors, universities, and government agencies dedicated to empowering innovation and entrepreneurship in Eastern Visayas.
The benchmarking activity was attended by ten (10) representatives from various government offices, including Jhunlie Escala, Provincial Youth Development Officer; Ysabel Karla Aquino, SIRAK Kabataan Program Focal Officer; Leah Eraya, Livelihood Pillar Program Manager; and Shayla Joyce Cabuenas, SIRAK Kabataan PYDO. Other participants included John Michael Cristobal, JobsNext Program Manager; Dianne Antonette Teves, PLGU Samar Information Officer; Nelieta Baguna, Chief of Staff to Congressman Stephen James Tan (1st District House of Representatives); Golda Tabao, Information Officer; Alexis Diane Gaviola, Tourism Operations Officer; and Keanna Ingrid Sabulao, PLGU Samar Employment Facilitation Focal Officer.
A laboratory tour is also scheduled later this afternoon, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore SSU’s innovative facilities and ongoing projects.