BukSU Kalilangan campus conducts its first extension program

Bukidnon State University–Kalilangan Campus, in partnership with the Kalilangan Women’s Federation and the Local Government Unit of Kalilangan, conducted its first Extension Program on December 15, 2025 at the Municipal Conference Room, entitled the “Women Sustainable Livelihood and Empowerment Program.” The activity was attended by women from member barangays of the Kalilangan Women’s Federation.

The extension program was facilitated by the faculty extensionists of both programs of the Business Administration and Public Administration.

Two projects were implemented dubbed as Project 1: WOMENtrepreneurs: Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Management for Women, and Project 2: WOMENgage: Equipping Women for Community Engagement and Leadership.

“The extension program is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by enhancing their business, financial, and leadership competencies while promoting Gender and Development (GAD) awareness, informed decision-making, and effective problem-solving skills. It seeks to address the persistent challenges faced by women micro-entrepreneurs, including limited access to resources, financial constraints, low entrepreneurial confidence, and the pressures of balancing economic and household responsibilities,” BukSU Kalilangan campus posted shared online

In a statement, the projects were anchored on the principles of inclusive and sustainable development. The initiative is aligned with key national and international development frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty reduction, quality education, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for development. It also supports the Philippine government’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and AmBisyon Natin 2040, which envisions a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay for all Filipinos through inclusive growth and economic resilience.

The program is strategically integrated into the BukSU Extension Framework, BukSU Unified Leverage for Inclusive Growth (BULIG), which emphasizes community empowerment through comprehensive training, capacity building, and lifelong learning. Consistent with this framework, the extension activities focus on entrepreneurial management, financial literacy, basic bookkeeping, leadership development, and gender-responsive governance, enabling women to acquire practical and sustainable livelihood skills.

Implemented through the Women Sustainable Livelihood and Empowerment Program (WSLEP), the initiative adopts a holistic and gender-responsive approach to women’s empowerment. It equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to strengthen and expand their micro-enterprises, improve household income, and actively engage in community leadership and local economic development.

“Through collaborative partnerships among BukSU Kalilangan Campus, the Local Government Unit of Kalilangan, and the Kalilangan Women’s Federation, the program contributes to building economically resilient communities and a more equitable society where women are empowered to thrive, lead, and play a vital role in sustainable development.” (BukSU Kalilangan Campus)