On April 15, 2026, the RAPID Growth Project Provincial Coordination Unit (PCU) Leyte formally strengthened its partnership with Visayas State University (VSU) through signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking a significant step toward enhancing support initiatives for farmer organization beneficiaries under the project.

The partnership aims to harmonize plans and strategies in delivering capacity-building interventions, ensuring that program implementation is more coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective. Through this partnership, both institutions seek to maximize resources and expertise in providing technical assistance and organizational development support to partner organizations.

The MOA signing was led by DTI Provincial Director Faustino V. Gayas, Jr., OIC-Business Development Division Chief Elaine Jayne P. Limbaga, and Dr. Mark C. Ratilla of VSU, representing their respective institutions. The agreement formalizes the commitment of both parties to work closely in implementing training programs, technical assistance activities, and other capacity-enhancement interventions for farmer organizations supported by both institutions.

By strengthening the partnership between the government and the academe, the initiative reinforces a shared and strong commitment to promoting inclusive enterprise development, and empowering farmer organizations to become more productive, and market oriented. The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the long-term growth and sustainability of rural enterprises in Leyte, ultimately supporting the project's goal of improving the livelihoods of its beneficiaries.