SLSU hosts 'BASA 2026' to Drive SUC Library Innovations and Accreditation Standards

Sogod, Southern Leyte — Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) hosted "BASA 2026: Building, Advancing, Sharing, and Amplifying Library Innovations" at its Sogod Campus. The two-day gathering brought together state university and college (SUC) presidents, chief librarians, and academic leaders to discuss modernizing library services across higher education institutions.

The event saw active participation from delegation groups across the country, including representatives from Adiong Memorial State College led by College President Dr. Sherifa Rohannie K. Adiong, Board Secretary Sherifa Ainee O. Kadil, and Chief Librarian Sittie Jalalia P. Samo. SLSU President Dr. Jude A. Duarte welcomed the attendees alongside key officials.

In her keynote message, CHED Commissioner and SLSU Board of Regents Chairperson-Designate Dr. Michelle A. Ong underscored the critical position libraries hold in academic quality assurance.

"Library is an important requirement for Accreditation and COPC, on top of the library being a main feature of every educational institution," Dr. Ong stated. "Library is an inspiration. Library is free. Library is where you can imagine. It must not be for compliance only—it should be a special place for students. Let us contextualize our library according to our taste."

The program featured key technical sessions led by SLSU administrators and experts aimed at upgrading library infrastructure and university operations as follows, to wit:

First and foremost as to the Digital Transformation, Head of Learning Commons and Library Services Geanrose L. Colonia showcased methods for Transforming Library Services through ODILO alongside utilization data and impact assessments.

Secondly, in terms of Funding & Technical Specs, Director for University Information System and Analytics Francis Rey F. Padao will deliver a session on packaging IDIG (Institutional Development and Innovation Grant) proposals, covering development, costing, and technical details.

Thirdly, regarding the Internationalization & Sustainability, Dr. Ingrid M. Uy (Director, Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Office) would share SLSU's best practices in internationalization, while on the other hand, Mr. Leo A. Omamalin (Director, University Planning & Development) will also present implementation models for zero-waste yield.

And fourthly, in connection with Disaster Management, Dr. Jannie Fleur V. Oraño (Director, Research, Innovation & Publication Services) would be introducing GIS innovations for disaster risk reduction.

Following the presentations, delegates will participate in a guided campus tour covering key facility hubs—including the RIES Building, GIS Tech Center, and the Information & Systems Analytics Office—along with a general view of the campus grounds. Afterwards, the delegates will also travel to Padre Burgos, where the first day would be concluded with an official Welcome Dinner.

On the second day, delegates will be engaged in an immersion program centered on the key community beneficiaries of SLSU. The field activity would also be allowed visiting educational leaders to observe firsthand how academic research, resource sharing, and extension programs actively impact local community development.

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