“Sana tuwing nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang Pamantasan na magbahagi sa pamayanan, maramdaman nila ang langit sa ating piling, sapagkat nakikita nila ang liwanag na makapag-aangat sa kasalukuyang kalagayan nila sa buhay. Nawa’y maging tunay tayong instrumento ng serbisyo, pagmamahal, at malasakit sa kapwa.”

These were the words of NEUST President Dr. Rhodora Jugo as the University renewed its partnership with the Diocese of Cabanatuan through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and held the turnover ceremony of Project Lakbay Emmaus—an innovative initiative of the College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT) aimed at elevating parish leadership and delivering transformational courses through an interactive Learning Management System (LMS).

Held on March 25, 2026, at the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish Cathedral Conference Hall, the event also marked the official start of the project’s implementation.

In her opening message, Dr. Marivic Villegas, Director of the NEUST Extension Department, emphasized that the University continues to ensure that its extension services remain responsive, inclusive, and impactful to communities.

In his response, Most Reverend Fr. Prudencio Andaya, Jr., CICM, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, expressed appreciation for the collaboration.

“What you offered is not merely a technical project, but a sacred instrument. One that will serve the mission of the Church in proclaiming the good news. You remind us that evangelization today also calls for creativity, innovation, and collaboration,” he said.

The MOA formalizes the partnership between NEUST and the Diocese for the development and implementation of Lakbay Emmaus under the Globalized Research, Extension, and Training for Comprehensive Program for Empowerment and Development (GREAT COPED).

The Lakbay Emmaus outlines NEUST’s role in leading the technical development of the LMS, providing training, documentation, and extension services in areas such as ICT, agriculture, infrastructure, and community education, as well as conducting monitoring and evaluation.

The Diocese, on the other hand, will provide logistical support, coordinate with parishes and barangays, assist in data gathering, and help ensure the sustainability of all the projects under the partnership.

The proper turnover of the project was delivered by Dr. Arnold Dela Cruz, Dean of the NEUST CICT, where he urged end-users to provide honest feedback for the improvement of the system.

In his acceptance speech, Rev. Fr. Ryan Adrian Aguinaldo, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization, expressed his appreciation to NEUST and emphasized the partnership’s impact on the parish community as a whole.

“This [project] is both a gift and a task; a gift from the Lord through the NEUST, and at the same time, a task entrusted to us to create committed and comprehensive content that people of this generation can easily understand and find meaningful in relation to their faith life and engagement in the parish community,” he said.

Adding to her statement, Dr. Jugo also emphasized the University’s mission of nurturing growth and development in both individuals and communities.

“Together with the Diocese of Cabanatuan, we are committed to uplifting people and communities,” she said, adding that initiatives like Project Lakbay Emmaus are more than technical collaborations—they are “bridges to the Divine,” reflecting the evangelization mission of the Church.

The MOA signing and project launch were witnessed by Rev. Fr. Ryan Adrian Aguinaldo, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization, and Rev. Fr. Michael Veneracion, Diocesan Finance Administration, and Rev. Fr Alfonso S. Saulo, Parochial Vicar of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Cathedral Parish from the Diocese of Cabanatuan.

Also present were NEUST key officials including Dr. Jean Guillasper, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training; Dr. Kenneth Armas, Director of the Planning and Development Office; Dr. Sarah Alvarez, Dean of the College of Management and Business Technology; Dr. Gregorio Villaviza, Jr., Dean of the College of Architecture; Dr. Maria Fe Blas, Principal of the Laboratory High School; Dr. Ma. Lourdes Quijano, Dean of the Office of Student Affairs and Services; and Dr. Elenita Paet, Director of the Moral Recovery and Spiritual Uplift Program, along with faculty and staff of NEUST.

The Project Lakbay Emmaus was developed by faculty members from the CICT, including Racquel Pula, DIT; Apple Grace Oliveros, MSIT; Leonylyn Bensi, MSIT; Michael Bensi, MSIT; Andrew Caesar Villegas, MSIT; Angelito Cunanan Jr., MSIT; Prince Mert Nicolas, EdD; Ruth Ann Santos, EdD; Jomasel Savellano, MSIT; and Marcelino Collado Jr., MSIT.

All of them also attended the Holy Mass prior to the ceremony, which was presided over by Most Reverend Fr. Prudencio P. Andaya Jr., CICM, DD, which was dedicated to the partnership and served as a form of evangelization in support of Project Lakbay Emmaus.

Through this collaboration that started in the early 2000s, NEUST and the Diocese of Cabanatuan aim to continuously empower communities, strengthen parish leadership, and promote inclusive, technology-driven education.

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