TSU Office of University Extension Services successfully launched the first day of the S.U.L.O. (Service, Unity, Leadership, and Outreach) Volunteer Bootcamp 2026 on April 29, 2026, at the TSU CFTR Audio-Visual Room, Lucinda Campus.
The event was spearheaded by the Volunteerism Management Department, aiming to strengthen the culture of volunteerism within the University through leadership development, service learning, and strategic partnership building.
Day 1 featured a series of expert-led sessions focused on foundational knowledge and practical skills in volunteer engagement and project planning.
Before the sessions began, an icebreaker activity facilitated by the U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers energized the participants through Volunteer Bingo, reinforcing openness, communication, and a shared sense of purpose while setting a positive and engaging tone for the day's learning activities.
The program opened with a session on Volunteerism Awareness led by Ms. Alyssa Marie A. Villa, Volunteer Service Officer II of the Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PCMED) of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. She highlighted the importance of cultivating a strong volunteer mindset and understanding the national framework of volunteer service.
This was followed by a discussion on Ethics in Volunteerism delivered by Dr. Francelle L. Calub, Head of the TSU OUES Volunteerism Management Department. Her session emphasized integrity, accountability, and responsible conduct as core values in volunteer work.
In the afternoon, Engr. Emir Lenard S. F. Sicangco, Director of the Tarlac State University Office of University Extension Services, facilitated a comprehensive training on Project Planning, focusing on needs assessment, SMART goal setting, and budgeting strategies for effective community projects.
The final session for Day 1 featured Ms. Divina Hope V. Vallejo, Chief Economic Development Specialist of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development Region III, who discussed Sustainable Execution and Partnership Building. She underscored the importance of collaboration among institutions, communities, and stakeholders in ensuring the long-term impact of volunteer initiatives.
The day concluded with a reflection and synthesis session, allowing participants to consolidate their learnings and reaffirm their commitment to meaningful and sustained volunteer engagement.
As Day 1 wrapped up on a high note, participants are now set to take on a more hands-on and immersive experience as the S.U.L.O. Volunteer Bootcamp 2026 continues on Day 2, where they are expected to further develop their proposed initiatives into actionable and community-responsive projects.
