DEBESMSCAT, April 26, 2025 — The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), through its National Service Training Program (NSTP), conducted PAG-ANDAM 2.0, the fourth community immersion activity for 2025, in partnership with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Cabitan, Mandaon, Masbate.
The activity promoted literacy, numeracy, and youth development among learners from Barangay Cabitan. Conducted within the DEBESMSCAT campus and in the households of participating learners, PAG-ANDAM 2.0 mobilized NSTP students as volunteer educators through the program’s Literacy and Numeracy initiatives: Bahay-Basa and MathemaTeach.
Through these initiatives, young learners participated in engaging activities that helped strengthen foundational reading, comprehension, counting, and problem-solving skills. By bringing learning support closer to the homes of learners, the activity created a more accessible and supportive environment for children who needed additional guidance in literacy and numeracy.
The initiative was spearheaded by NSTP student volunteers and facilitated by the NSTP Student Association (NSTPSA) officers, in coordination with the Barangay Cabitan local government and community stakeholders. Participating volunteers came from Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEE) 1, Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED), Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) 1, Social Studies 1, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) 1, and Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) 1.
Through interactive and enjoyable learning sessions, the NSTP volunteers shared their knowledge, time, and skills with the youth of Barangay Cabitan. The activities encouraged active learner participation while making reading and mathematics more engaging and meaningful.
PAG-ANDAM 2.0 highlights DEBESMSCAT’s continuing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The collaboration between DEBESMSCAT, NSTP student volunteers, and the Barangay Local Government Unit of Cabitan demonstrates how academic institutions and local communities can work together to respond to learning needs and support inclusive education.
The activity also reflects the role of student volunteerism in sustainable community development. Through their service, NSTP students applied civic consciousness, social responsibility, leadership, and compassion while contributing to the educational development of children and young learners.
For the participating volunteers, the immersion was a meaningful experience beyond academic requirements. It strengthened their appreciation of community service and reinforced the belief that every opportunity to teach, guide, and encourage a learner can help nurture a brighter future.
Through PAG-ANDAM 2.0, DEBESMSCAT, in partnership with Barangay Cabitan, Mandaon, Masbate, continues to empower students to become active partners in community development and advocates of quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all.
Ladies and gentlemen,
