Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), through President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., has personally visited Dr. Roberto Mangaliman, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Schools Division Office of Biliran, to initiate discussions on research-based learning recovery initiatives, including a proposed Learning Recovery Summit, to address learning gaps among learners in the province, yesterday, September 9, held at the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent, Department of Education, Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran.

Together with the university’s vice presidents, Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra and Dr. Roland Niez, and other key officials, including Dr. Analiza B. Calles, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Ms. Apple Joy Balondo-Visitacion, University Board Secretary V, the said initiative responds to findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which underscored persistent challenges in foundational literacy and numeracy and the need to address learning gaps.

“As a university, we have a mandate to respond to the needs of local and global communities. Through this initiative, we are not only addressing learning gaps in Biliran but also contributing to efforts to tackle a national challenge,” President Cañezo said.

The university president emphasized that improving learning outcomes is a shared responsibility, noting that learners from DepEd schools eventually enter universities such as BiPSU, while many teachers serving the division are themselves graduates of the institution. He stressed the importance of strengthening both learner support and teacher preparation to help break the cycle of learning difficulties.

Under the proposed initiative, the first phase will focus on research and assessment to determine the extent of learning gaps in Biliran and identify factors affecting learner performance. The findings will guide the development of targeted interventions through BiPSU’s extension programs, with community-based learning support.

President Cañezo likewise proposed assessing learning needs within BiPSU, emphasizing that interventions should be grounded in evidence.

SDS Mangaliman welcomed the collaboration and highlighted the importance of monitoring and evaluation in helping learners achieve the competencies expected at their grade levels.

“This is a very good intervention to support our goal of becoming number one in literacy in Eastern Visayas,” said Dr. Mangaliman.

Both institutions are targeting the availability of research findings within the year for presentation at the proposed Learning Recovery Summit, tentatively eyed for late November or December 2026. The summit would provide a venue to discuss the assessment results, identify appropriate interventions, and coordinate learning recovery efforts across the province.

Further planning discussions are being targeted for late September or early October.

Through the proposed collaboration, BiPSU and DepEd Biliran aim to connect university research and extension with classroom and community needs, helping learners from the province build stronger foundations for their next stage of education.

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