VSU Department of Economics

20/11/2025

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: DOE Alumnus and Professor Lead Financial Literacy Talks at VSU-FME

On November 14, 2025, in celebration of Economics and Financial Literacy Week 2025, the Faculty of Management and Economics (FME) Supreme Student Council in partnership with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office VIII hosted a session featuring a VSU-DOE alumnus and a faculty member who led discussions on Financial Literacy and Public Finance and Accountability. The event was held at the VSU Smart Classroom in the VSU Main Campus and was attended by several Viscans.

Mr. Ceasar Peter D. Aves, Economic Development Specialist at the DEPDev Regional Office VIII and a member of the Class of 2024, shared insights on AmBisyon Natin 2040 in relation to economic and financial literacy

Prof. Ernesto F. Bulayog of DOE discussed how the Philippine budget works and highlighted the current state of public welfare.

The event also featured a debate on financial and economic issues with active participation from students.

20/10/2025

It is that time again, the PES Visayas Regional Forum is here! Register now to join the online event on October 29, 2025. See you there, mga !

📢 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦!

The Philippine Economic Society (PES) Visayas, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), UPV Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod, Visayas State University, and the University of San Carlos, brings you the PES Visayas Regional Forum 2025. This year’s theme is 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

Join us on 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, as we discuss the perspectives on advancing equitable regional economies with a focus on people-centered development, and key macroeconomic variables to understand the regional economic landscape.

This forum will be held online via Zoom. To secure your slot, please register using the link below or scan the QR code.

https://forms.gle/kdcNJDCAfiU9mps37
https://forms.gle/kdcNJDCAfiU9mps37
https://forms.gle/kdcNJDCAfiU9mps37

Join the forum via this link: https://up-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I2aLHASTQx-ua9qYv2qHLw

See you on the forum!

02/10/2025

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: DOE Faculty, Staff Receive Recognition at 125th Civil Service Awards in VSU

At the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary awarding program held today, October 2, 2025, at the VSU RDE Hall, DOE faculty and staff were acknowledged for their dedicated service and remarkable contributions.

Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, DOE faculty member and VSU Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF), received the 2025 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, Individual Category for Region VIII. He was recognized for driving transformative change in development economics through groundbreaking research, global collaborations, and capacity-building initiatives.

Mr. Carlito C. Suganob, Administrative Aide VI of DOE, was conferred the Loyalty Award for 40 years of devoted service at VSU.

Dr. Lemuel S. Preciados, current Head of DOE, received the Loyalty Award for 10 years of dedicated service at VSU.

Ms. Crislin B. Cruz-Cortez, DOE affiliate from the National Coconut Research Center - Visayas (NCRC-V), won the “A Day in the Life of a Civil Servant” Video-Making Contest.

We extend our warmest congratulations to our faculty and staff for their dedicated service to VSU and to our nation. May you continue to shine and inspire us all.

Photo from Carmi Managbanag Suganob

25/07/2025

During the 72nd Commencement Exercises of Visayas State University (VSU), the Department of Economics (DOE) produced a total of 32 graduates from its undergraduate and graduate programs. At the undergraduate level, 17 students earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics majoring in Business Economics, while 11 students completed a major in Environmental and Development Economics. Two students earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, majoring in Agricultural Economics.

In the graduate program, two students earned the degree Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. Among them was Sylvia A. Annor, the department’s Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) from Ghana.

Across all undergraduate programs, a total of 13 students graduated with Latin honors, five as magna cm laude and eight as cm laude. Leading the DOE Class of 2025 is Niño John C. Vitor, magna cm laude, majoring in Environmental and Development Economics.

Congratulations to our graduates! This moment marks the fulfillment of a dream you have worked so hard to achieve. We hope that the skills and values you have gained throughout your academic journey will guide you in building a life you envision for yourself, for your loved ones, and the community you want to serve. As you continue along the often-bumpy road toward even greater dreams, may you always choose to move forward. Whether you walk in doubt or with conviction, in fear or with boldness, continue navigating life as you did before, with heart, hope, and unwavering resolve. You journey is just beginning and it holds limitless promise.

Roam far and wide, mga !

24/07/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: DOE Sends Off Graduands in Special Tribute, Honoring Parents and New Beginnings

On July 24, 2025, DOE faculty and staff, together with the incoming fourth-year students, organized a Tribute Party for the graduands of the BS Economics, BS Agriculture major in Agricultural Economics, and MS Agricultural Economics programs. The event was held at the Center for Continuing Education (CCE) building at Visayas State University.

During the event, certificates of appreciation were awarded to parents and guardians while certificates of completion were presented to the graduands. Medals and special awards were also conferred by DOE upon exemplary students.

The DOE Academic Excellence Award was given to Niño John C. Vitor of the BS Economics major in Environmental and Development Economics program, Christine S. Abejero of the BS Economics major in Business Economics program, and Myla Mae V. Gerobise of the BS Agriculture major in Agricultural Economics program. The award recognized their exemplary academic performance demonstrated throughout their undergraduate studies.

The DOE Best Thesis Award was given to Richard Q. Ontoy of the BS Economics major in Environmental and Development Economics program, Megan B. Besas of the BS Economics major in Business Economics program and Myla Mae V. Gerobise of the BS Agriculture major in Agricultural Economics program. Meanwhile, Sylvia A. Annor received the Best Thesis Award under the MS Agricultural Economics program. The award recognizes their exceptional undergraduate and graduate research, which demonstrated academic rigor, originality, and relevance.

The DOE Service and Leadership Award went to Cherie Joyce L. Bongcaras of the BS Economics major in Business Economics program in recognition of her outstanding commitment to student leadership, dedicated service to the university community, and exemplary involvement in student organizations and initiatives.

Aside from certificates, the graduands also received tokens from their respective thesis advisers. This year, they were given passport jackets which symbolizes the start of a new journey beyond the university.

During the event, certificates of recognition were also presented to faculty members who had recently completed their doctoral journey. Dr. Lemuel S. Preciados was recognized for successfully completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Environmental Economics at the University of Queensland, Australia. A similar recognition was given to Dr. Zyra May H. Centino for completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Mr. Jensen D. Rico from the BS Economics Class of 2014 and now a Supervising Economic Development Specialist at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Region VIII was invited as the keynote speaker for this year’s tribute party. Through a pre-recorded video, he congratulated the graduands and encouraged them not just to aim for employability but to strive to be impactful in their chosen fields. He emphasized that progress is more meaningful if more people felt it. He also offered practical advice on employment and spoke candidly about the challenges of adulting, which he humbly admitted he is still learning and navigating himself.

We at DOE congratulates all graduands for reaching this significant milestone. A huge congratulations as well to the parents, guardians, DOE faculty and staff who played an important role in their academic journey. The celebration was a tribute to the hard work, perseverance, and unwavering support that made their success possible. As DOE sends off another batch of , we take pride in their accomplishments and look forward to the meaningful impact they will make beyond the university.

19/07/2025

The Department of Economics proudly congratulates our esteemed faculty member, Dr. Zyra May H. Centino, on the successful completion of her doctoral journey at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Today, during the 53rd UPLB Commencement Exercises, Dr. Centino will be conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics. Most notably, her dissertation, “Farmers’ Preferences for Vegetable Crop Insurance as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Leyte Province, Philippines,” was recognized as the Best Ph.D. Dissertation in the Agricultural Economics category.

We wish Dr. Centino continued success in her academic and professional pursuits. May her work continue to inspire us in the department, our students, and the next generation of economists.

15/07/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: DOE Conducts Team Building Activity at Southern Leyte, Team Lagrange Emerged as Big Winners

The Department of Economics (DOE) conducted a three-day team-building activity at Kaleakai Beach House, Macrohon, Southern Leyte from June 29 to July 1, 2025. This brought together the faculty members, staff, affiliates, and retirees in a series of fun and relaxing activities. The event featured karaoke sessions, team games, swimming, beach walks, and night socials.

Dr. Christopher A. Llones, the Director of the Visayas Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Center (ViSERDAC) took the lead in preparing and facilitating the games during the team-building activity for being the faculty-in-charge for the June wellness activity.

During the awarding program, Team Lagrange emerged victorious over Team Maximizers for winning most of the games and showcasing teamwork and collaboration. For bringing excitement and high energy to the event, Prof. Babylyn C. Lambert from Team Lagrange was named Most Fun Participant. Mr. Anelito C. Pernito, another Team Lagrange member earned the title Mr. Congeniality for being the friendliest, most approachable, and most supportive participant throughout the activities. Dr. Ma. Salome B. Bulayog, from Team Maximizers, bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for her grace, active participation, and inspiring presence during the games. The Best Dressed award for the Tropical White Night-themed dinner social went to Dr. Christopher A. Llones for his effort, confidence, and creative theme-appropriate outfit.

Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, the Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF), expressed in his closing message the importance of the team building activity as a much-needed break from the demands of work. While it fosters stronger relationships among faculty members and staff, he highlighted the role of such activities in fostering work-life balance. He also shared his eagerness to take part in more activities like this with the DOE in the future.

15/07/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: BS Econ Students Deployed Across Visayas for 2025 Internship

Thirty-nine (39) incoming fourth-year BS Economics students were successfully deployed to various institutions across the Visayas for their 240-hour economic practicum/industry practice from June 23 to July 3, 2025. For this year’s internship, six (6) government agencies welcomed the interns.

In Cebu, three (3) students were assigned to Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), fifteen (15) students to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and five (5) students to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In Bohol, four (4) students were deployed to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), while in Palo, Leyte, ten (10) students were assigned to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev). On-campus, two (2) students will be involved in an integrated coastal resource management extension project led by the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Science (ITEES).

Ms. Michelle Aubrey D. Cabase, the DOE internship coordinator, led the deployment of interns and was assisted by Prof. Zyra May H. Centino, Dr. Christopher A. Llones, Mr. Israel C. Embayarte, and Mr. Jedan A. Cavero.

19/06/2025

27 BS Econ, 2 BSA AgEcon, 2 MS AgEcon Students Wrap Up Their Research Journey at DOE

From May to June 2025, 16 BS Economics students majoring in Business Economics, 11 majoring in Environmental and Development Economics, 2 BS Agriculture students majoring in Agricultural Economics, and 2 MS Agricultural Economics students concluded their research journey by successfully defending their theses. Undergraduate thesis defenses were held at the DOE Conference Room while graduate defenses took place at the CME Office. The events were attended by faculty members from the Department of Economics (DOE) along with some faculty members from VSU’s Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies (ISRDS), Department of Business and Management (DBM), and Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

This year’s theses demonstrated the efforts of students to explore relevant economic issues in the areas of environment, agriculture, business, technology, and policy while applying a range of analytical methods.

Many studies are grounded in specific municipalities and cities in Leyte and nearby areas. Some focused on environmental topics that estimated the recreational and provisioning value of natural resources using economic tools. Others tackled emerging economic issues such as cryptocurrency, digital payments, freelancing, and green initiatives. Princess M. Bartido, an Environmental and Development Economics major examined VSU students’ willingness and preferences in supporting green initiatives. She found a generally positive attitude with many students willing to offer support especially for initiatives with tangible benefits. She hopes that through her work, she could help the university design policies that align with student views.

Some topics that emphasized agriculture focused on crop profitability and consumer demand for safer farm produce. Rovelyn C. Sumacot, a BS Agriculture student majoring in Agricultural Economics who incorporated gender analysis in her study, examined the profitability of sweetpotato production in Baybay City. Her findings revealed that farming responsibilities from fieldwork to financial management are shared by both men and women. This reaffirms her belief that farming is a shared dream. She believes that supporting all members of farming communities regardless of gender is vital in achieving a collective progress.

Business-focused topics explored MSME growth, digital payment adoption, and consumer behavior. One notable study was conducted by Rogelio D. Cerezo III, a Business Economics major who examined the factors influencing digital payment utilization among consumers in Palo, Leyte. According to him, he was inspired to conduct the study by a balut vendor who displays a QR code for online payments. He mentioned, “If even our local vendors are already integrating digital payments, how close are we to becoming a cashless society?” His findings later revealed that digital payment usage in the area is already nearing 50% which reflects a growing shift toward cashless transactions.

Some students took a broader view by examining macroeconomic issues. Among that were examined were the trade patterns, FDI inflows, and debt-to-GDP ratios. Crustom Jake D. Roncal, major in Environmental and Development Economics, conducted a study on the effects of economic growth and policy measures on deforestation rates in selected ASEAN member states. His results showed that as GDP per capita increases the deforestation rates also tend to increase. His research also revealed that higher FDI inflows and stronger corruption controls are associated with lower deforestation rates.

Across the board, this year’s thesis topics showcased a range of econometric methods that utilized both primary and secondary data. Students applied cross-sectional and panel data analysis, gravity models, along with other quantitative methods. Cherie Joyce L. Bongcaras, a Business Economics major and a cryptocurrency user herself, applied the PLS-SEM approach to study the intention to adopt cryptocurrency among students at VSU. Her modelling showed that student’s field of study significantly affects their intention to adopt which underscores the importance of financial education.

DOE celebrates the dedication of the students behind the meaningful outcomes of their efforts. We congratulate them for a job well done. Most importantly, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the advisers and the members of the different Student Research Committees (SRC). Their unwavering support and guidance were instrumental in the students' research journey at DOE.

Padayon, Viscan!

29/05/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: DOE Gears Up Incoming Fourth-Year BS Econ and BSA AgEcon Students for Internship

In preparation for the upcoming internships of BS Economics students this midyear 2025 and of BSA Agricultural Economics students in the next academic year, a seminar was held today, May 29, 2025 at the VSU Student Center. The event aimed to equip students with essential knowledge on legal awareness, gender sensitivity, psychosocial readiness, and work ethics.

Speakers from various offices of the VSU Main Campus were invited to share their expertise. Ms. Letty Jean C. Lor, Head of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Unit under Gender and Development (GAD) Office, discussed Gender and Development and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Atty. Karen Abegail S. Monteron of the Legal Office tackled legal matters related to internship, including the Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. Kent Jan A. Beldia, RGC, from the University Student Services Office (USSO) shared insights on psychosocial preparedness and work ethics.

Joining the students at the event were DOE faculty members: Dr. Lemuel S. Preciados, Department Head; Ms. Michelle Aubrey D. Cabase, Department Internship Coordinator; Mr. Jedan A. Cavero, YES Adviser; and Mr. Michael R. Calungsod.

30/04/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: Faculty and staff of the Department of Economics (DOE) participated in the campus-wide Alay-Linis activity held today, April 30, 2025. Immediately following the successful celebration of Visayas State University’s (VSU) 101st Anniversary on April 28–29, they came together to clean and restore the surroundings of the department. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to a clean and green campus.

04/04/2025

𝐈𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐈: 2025 Reconnects VSU Econ Alumni, Students Online

On March 28, 2025, the VSU Department of Economics, in partnership with the Young Economists’ Society (YES), held its first-ever to reconnect Economics alumni with the department and foster communication, mentorship, and ongoing support for both alumni and current students. The online event was part of the recently concluded FME’s 15th Anniversary Celebration and was attended by DOE faculty members and students.

Dr. Preciados opened the event with updates on the DOE, its faculty members, and developments in the university and the BS Economics program. This was followed by student and organization updates from the Young Economists’ Society (YES), presented by the Public Information Officer (PIO), James Anthony Torcino.

For the main activity, alumni from both the Philippines and abroad shared their experiences in private industries and government sectors, with some pursuing graduate studies overseas and others engaged in teaching and research. They reflected on their student life, job expectations, and professional journeys while offering career advice on in-demand industry skills. Some also discussed graduate study opportunities and international scholarships for interested students.

The event also aimed to inspire current students by showing them the diverse career paths available to economics graduates. Whether following in the footsteps of accomplished alumni or forging a unique path, students were encouraged to explore the endless possibilities in the field. When the time comes, the hope is that they too will return as inspiring alumni, ready to share their experiences with future generations.