by Wilson J Hormeguera and Don Manuelo Patrimonio

School of Business and Management (SBM) Dean Virginia Lourdes Yacapin, Student Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator (SEP) Ermelinda Bombeo, and SEP Program Officer Don Manuelo Patrimonio conducted a learning visit in San Vicente Sumilao, Bukidnon together with representatives from the Xavier University-Catholic Relief Service (XU-CRS) Projects and Kristohanong Kailingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO).

The XU team conversed with the Sumilao Farmers through their PANAW-Sumilao Multi Purpose Cooperative representatives to explore where the SBM students, using their disciplines, can assist the Sumilao farmers via the Service Learning model. Through that learning visit, it was seen that the possible entry points of SBM students are in product marketing, product development, and accounting.
 
Through SLP, SBM would be able to respond to needs identified by the farmers themselves, using the knowledge and skills of either Business Administration or Accountancy students. Here, students practice what they learn in the classroom while they serve the community in their financial or business dilemmas.
 
The learning visit was assisted by SLP Program Officers Arniel Daluz and Jeannette Guian, SLP Volunteers Craig Mari Padla and Michael Formentera, and XU-CRS Manager Robert dela Serna.