The Philippine economy has been steadily improving and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the entire nation and the entire world. Economic indicators have also shown positive growth from different sectors, but many argue that these improvements have not been felt by the Filipino household. These positive numbers and data did not have significant impact to the different aspects of economy, especially on the recurring issue of poverty. Samar State University (SSU) resides in one of the poorest regions of the country, Eastern Visayas Region (Region 8), which ranks 4th highest by region in terms of poverty incidence among families at 28.9% trailing ARMM, CARAGA and region 9. This figure is already an improvement from its 2018 data which registered at 30.4%. Significant improvements were also noted in its provinces, SSU’s hometown of Samar contributed to this improvement along with eastern and Northern Samar. But these developments cannot be said to its other remaining provinces of Biliran and Southern Leyte which has worse poverty incidence figures. The numbers show that generally the poverty incidence rate has continually improved, but it can be easily debated and argued if these said lower figures has translated to poverty alleviation or to improvement of lifestyle in the region.

         The university has firsthand experience on the effects of poverty on the community both in a rural and urban set-up. The region has been under a tumultuous economy brought about by several factors, such as misuse of funds, lack of proper project management and its horrific road quality and network. Previous studies have shown that poverty remains mainly a rural phenomenon, but urban poverty has constantly been on the rise. It will continue to rise unless acted upon and until thorough discussions are brought to the general population, not only regionally but the entire country.

         For this reason, Samar State University is conducting its 4th International and 7th national Conference on for Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development (IPOVCON). This mark its 7th reiteration of this poverty conference, which was pioneered in 2016 by Samar State University. Previous IPOVCONs were conducted in the university premises which has undergone through different formats, but the university seeks to achieve a wider impact and coverage in discussion this issue that ails all part of the country, not only in Region VIII. With that goal in mind, the university aims to conduct the poverty conference in the nation’s capital – in Metro Manila. This will allow the national spotlight to cast its focus on the poverty initiatives to be presented and discussed by the different SUCs, HEIS, and other government and non-government organizations that will be willing to take part on this initiative.

         SSU is not alone in this battle of poverty eradication, as an exemplified through the co-hosting of the event with other SUCs in the region. The 2022 International Poverty Conference was held alongside the collaboration of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), the main SUC in Northern Samar. The proposed 2023 conference will be no exception, as this will be spearheaded by SSU in partnership with Visayas State University (VSU), one of the renowned universities in the region and in the whole country.
Moreover, the Poverty Conference came about as a platform in showcasing the best practices in initiating poverty reduction initiatives. The university envisions to foster service excellence demands that the presence of the university is felt in the locale where it operates and radiated a wider area of influence in the region. From the region to national and to the global arena directed to the reduction of poverty incidence in the province of Samar.

         The success of the previous conferences started to put imprints among the stakeholders what Samar State University is doing and can do to Samar. Collaborators and participants coming from the academe, local government units both from provincial and city/municipality, different national government offices and its line agencies benefitted from the Keynote speakers, plenary speakers, researchers, and other participants. SSU on one hand is working on knowledge generations in this avenue to come up with the scientific approaches in solving the prevalence of impoverish in Samar.