DPWH Leyte 5th DEO completes, hands over three major infra projects to VSU

In line with its commitment to campus modernization, three major infrastructure projects were officially accepted by the Visayas State University (VSU) in a formal turnover ceremony on June 29, 2026 at the second floor of the Center for Continuing Education (CCE).

University key officials, contractors, and project developers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) witnessed this milestone that expands university spaces for meaningful productions and learning experiences. 

One of the developments highlighted was the completion of the renovation and re-development of the VSU Amphitheater Stage at the upper campus in front of the VSU Administration Building.

This iconic space, which has been the venue for grand public events and significant university occasions, was extensively upgraded from September 21, 2025 to its timely completion on May 17, 2026.

With an allocated budget amounting to almost five million pesos (Php 4,999,872.66), JB Labatiao Design and Build successfully completed the project goals for repair and rehabilitation of damaged assets, safety improvements, securing of the stage area, and enhancing the overall aesthetics of the stage. 

The signing of the turnover certificate was done before its turnover to end-users, the General Services Office (GSO), and the Supply and Property Management Office.

The university also marked a significant enhancement in its academic facilities with the turnover of the initial stages (Phase 1) of the Academic Building and the Digital Learning Spaces Center undertaken by the DPWH Leyte 5th District Engineering Office (DEO). 

These multi-million peso projects were built from July 2024 to July 2025 to meet the needs of the growing number of students, faculty, and staff members of the university.

The Construction of the Academic Building is an updated comprehensive building provided with a contract cost of Php 78,277,738.10 from an approved contract budget of Php 80 million.

The newly turned over facility aims to accommodate the growing number of BS in Agribusiness students this coming first semester, AY 2026-2027.

Along with this is the Construction of the Digital Learning Spaces Center with a contract cost of 39,595,750.00 pesos from the approved contract budget of Php 40 million.

These modern academic hubs jointly promise to stimulate transformative learning and teaching experiences in the VSU community.

The official transfer of these two major academic structures was done through the signing of the turnover certificates from the DPWH to the VSU Administration which were endorsed to the respective end-users and administrative offices.

To date, this marks the third infrastructure turnover ceremony held by the university.

 VSU President, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, and DPWH-Leyte 5th DEO, OIC District Engineer, Engr. Lyndel P. Jabines, shared inspiring messages highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between agencies in the provision of functional and quality facilities.

The Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, represented by Ms. Louella C. Ampac, Finance Director, also reiterated the university's commitment to sustain and maximize these new assets for the sustainable development of the university.

“As we formally accept these facilities, we also accept the responsibility of taking good care of them. Let us ensure that they are properly maintained, used responsibly, and preserved so that future generations of VSU students and employees will continue to benefit from them,” Ms. Ampac concluded.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and; SDG 16: Partnerships of the Goals.

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