The 1st National Conference on Poverty and Sustainable Development Conference or PovCon2017 is a gathering of research and extension workers from various organizations specifically the academe and the local government units (LGU) in the country. With a theme “Addressing Poverty Challenges Through Multidisciplinary Approaches and Collaborations,” the conference shall serve as platform for dialogue between agencies having direct capacity to respond to the challenges brought about by poverty. Positive developments or success stories by the LGUS in the Philippines in reducing or managing poverty shall be presented to inspire and educate participants. While the academe having one of its major task is to generate new knowledge, will share its analyses of the poverty situation in the country and provide LGUs with different ideas, strategies or approaches that work and does not work based on its researches. The academe can also showcase products/technologies which can be used to help in developing communities. The conference is also expected to give emphasis om fact-based analysis and solution formulation for a more efficient and effective programs and projects by the LGU in addressing poverty issues.

There are two major tracks in the conference. After the main plenary session, the LGU group shall proceed to a separate venue to meet and dialogue with the invited officials of the government who have direct hand in the anti-poverty initiatives of the country which shall be hosted by the LGU of the Province of Samar.

The other track will be for the academic sector where they will be presenting their papers under the various themes. There shall be a research poster and an oral paper competitions. To be included as paper/poster presenter, please submit your abstracts to the secretariat not later than August 17, 2017 (new deadline is August 25, 2017). Those who will be attending (presenters or non-presenters) are requested to register online.

On the last day of the conference, an ecotourism tour will be led by the Tourism Office of the Province of Samar to Turpedo Boat Ride in Paranas, Lulugayan Falls of Calbiga Samar and the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge in Basey Samar. Other destination in Catbalogan and nearby towns maybe proposed later such as visit to Central Cave and the Bangon Canyoning by local tour provider as well as City Tricycle Tour in Catbalogan or the Lobo cave in Jiabong Samar to name a few. Early registration to these activities is sought for logistical requirements.

The conference is organized by Samar State University (SSU) and co-organized by Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), the Provincial Local Government of Samar (PLGU-Samar) and the City Government of Catbalogan (CLGU-Catbalogan)