For students living far from the province’s schools, pursuing a college degree can sometimes mean more than studying for exams. It can mean long rides, daily transportation expenses, and other costs that can make higher education feel out of reach.
A new partnership between the Provincial Government of Samar, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), and the Local Government Unit of Paranas hopes to change that.
The partnership agreement was signed on August 10, 2026, at Tandaya Hall in Catbalogan City for the establishment of an NwSSU Extension School in Barangay Concepcion, Paranas, Samar, under Project Samar, signed by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, representing the Provincial Government of Samar; NwSSU President Dr. Lorelie F. Tangaran; and Mayor Elvira Babalcon, representing the LGU of Paranas.
During her opening remarks, Governor Tan emphasized that bringing college education closer to communities is about giving more young Samarnons a fair chance to pursue their dreams. She said the initiative aims to provide opportunities for students living in far-flung areas who may otherwise struggle with the cost of transportation and other expenses associated with studying away from home. It also seeks to help address declining enrollment by making higher education more accessible to communities outside urban centers.
For Paranas, the partnership is an opportunity to bring education closer to students in the upland barangays and even those from neighboring municipalities. Mayor Elvira Babalcon described the initiative as a great help to the community, particularly for students who may now have a better opportunity to continue their studies without having to travel far from home.
The NwSSU Extension School will be located at the newly constructed climate-resilient eco-brick facility in Barangay Concepcion. It will initially offer the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, major in Horticulture.
Through the project, the Provincial Government of Samar, in partnership with NwSSU, is opening extension classes in Matuguinao and Paranas, while Samar State University (SSU) will also bring its programs to Daram and Zumarraga.
With colleges reaching farther into the province, Project Samar is bringing education closer to where people live, creating more opportunities for young Samarnons to learn, grow, and build a better future.
MOA Signing
Signing of partnership between the Provincial Government of Samar, the Municipal Government of Paranas, and Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) under Project SAMAR, held on August 10, 2026.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, NwSSU President Dr. Lorelie F. Tangaran, and Paranas Mayor Elvira Babalcon formalized the agreement for the establishment of an NwSSU extension campus in Barangay Concepcion, Paranas.
The new campus, located in a newly constructed climate-resilient eco-brick facility, will initially offer the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, major in Horticulture, bringing higher education closer to students in upland communities.
Through Project SAMAR, extension classes are also set to expand to Matuguinao, Daram, and Zumarraga, giving more young Samarnons the opportunity to pursue higher education closer to home.
