18/08/2026
La Consolacion College Bacolod and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Negros Island Region are exploring a partnership that would bring the college’s creative arts and design expertise into community-based livelihood initiatives.
Representatives of LCC Bacolod and DSWD met Tuesday, Aug. 18, to discuss potential collaboration under the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, particularly opportunities to connect artists and design professionals from the college with community enterprises.
The proposed partnership seeks to combine DSWD’s livelihood development programs with LCC Bacolod’s academic and creative resources to help communities improve handicrafts and other locally produced goods through design, product development and creative input.
Sr. Flolyn S. Catungal, OSA, president of LCC Bacolod, said the initiative reflects the college’s commitment to bringing education beyond the classroom and using professional expertise to respond to the needs of communities.
“Education becomes more meaningful when the knowledge and talents developed in our classrooms are shared with communities. Through partnerships such as this, our artists and educators can help people transform their skills and available resources into opportunities for sustainable livelihood,” Catungal said.
The meeting brought together officials and technical personnel from both institutions to identify areas where creative education could complement existing livelihood interventions.
Representing LCC Bacolod were Catungal; Bernadette T. Tupas, head of the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach Center; and Edmund Bacia, a faculty member of the School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Interior Design.
DSWD representatives included personnel from the Sustainable Livelihood Program Negros Occidental Provincial Staff, along with project development officers from District 3 and the Lone District.
The collaboration could provide opportunities for LCC Bacolod faculty members and eventually other members of its academic community to apply their expertise in art and design to product enhancement, creative development and other livelihood-related activities.
The initiative also strengthens the connection between academic programs and community engagement by demonstrating how disciplines traditionally associated with creative expression can contribute to entrepreneurship and local economic development.
For LCC Bacolod, Catungal said partnerships with government and communities form part of the institution’s mission of placing education and professional competence at the service of others.
“Creative education should not end with producing good artists and designers. It should also empower them to recognize how their gifts can contribute to the dignity and well-being of others,” Catungal said.
Both institutions are working on the next steps toward translating the initial discussions into community-based activities under the Sustainable Livelihood Program.