Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) and the De La Salle University – Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (DLSU-JRIG) convened on August 24, 2026 to finalize the implementation plan for a province-wide research project on localizing national policies protecting women and children.
The coordination meeting at the BOR Conference Room in Talisay (Main) Campus brought together university leadership, following a courtesy call with CHMSU President Norberto Mangulabnan.
President Norberto Mangulabnan welcomed the DLSU-JRIG delegation led by Director Francisco Magno and Visiting Fellow Prof. Ed Nuque in their courtesy call.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an
The initiative, titled the “Localization of Women’s and Children’s Policies Project,” originates from the legislative agenda of Senator Risa Hontiveros through the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, and is officially endorsed by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
The visiting delegation was led by DLSU-JRIG Director Francisco Magno and Visiting Fellow Prof. Ed Nuque, who highlighted the strategic synergy between DLSU’s role as Country Chair for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) and CHMSU’s academic presence in the Negros Island Region. With them were Policy Research Specialist Ian Jayson Hecita and Program Manager John Benedict Felices.
The delegation met with VP for Research, Extension, and Intellectual Property Ma. Riza Manalo, VP for Academic Affairs Engr. Russel Dela Torre, and VP for Administration and Finance Jay Estrellas, along with participating office directors and unit heads.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an
Under the initiative, DLSU-JRIG and CHMSU eye to conduct a comprehensive baseline census across local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to evaluate how national laws—including the Anti-VAWC Act, Safe Spaces Act, and Mental Health Act—are translated into local ordinances and programs. Through the proposed project, the team will also perform targeted field research across nine sampled LGUs to identify implementation gaps and community-level governance challenges.
Joining the university leadership were Director for Gender and Development Ana Mary Ann Pancho, Director for Research and Development Ivy Aboy, Director for Extension and Community Engagement Wanny Jaron, Director for Intellectual Property Management Armando Reosura, Legal Counsel Atty. Ricci Siason, Supervising Administrative Officer for Finance Division Ma. Christina Parrocho, University Accountant Ana Fe Leonida, and Procurement Management Head Sherwin Iligan.
Key outputs expected from the partnership include policy briefs to guide future legislation, a provincial policy forum for local stakeholders, and co-authored research papers slated for publication in Scopus-indexed academic journals.
The meeting also resolved feedback from the CHMSU Board of Regents regarding project deliverables and budget timelines, establishing a compressed schedule to complete project activities.
