| Summary, etc. |
Abstract <br/> Extension services are a core function of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), serving as a mechanism for translating academic expertise into community-responsive programs. The effectiveness of these services depends on the presence of clear institutional policies, systematic implementation, and sustained faculty involvement.<br/> This study employed a descriptive quantitative research design to assess the status of existence of extension policies and procedures, the extent of their application, the best practices, and the challenges encountered in the conduct of extension services among selected SUCs in Western Visayas. The study covered the five phases of extension work: preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination. Respondents included Extension Directors, Extension Coordinators, and faculty extensionists from the main campuses of selected SUCs located on an island in Central Philippines. Participants were purposively selected based on their involvement in matured extension projects. Data were gathered using a researcher developed questionnaire-checklist anchored on national and institutional mandates, with SUC extension manuals serving as the primary reference for determining the status of policy and procedure documentation. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, rank, mean, and standard deviation.<br/> Findings revealed that while several extension policies and procedures were documented, their level of documentation varied across extension phases, with dissemination and evaluation identified as the weakest areas. Despite these documentation gaps, the extent of application of extension policies was generally high across all phases, reflecting that extension activities were sustained through faculty commitment and institutional practices. However, faculty extensionists encountered challenges related to heavy teaching loads, limited incentives, inadequate financial and logistical resources, weak dissemination systems, and difficulty sustaining long-term projects.<br/> In response, the study proposed policy guidelines focusing on faculty incentives and teaching load credits, risk management and safety protocols, inclusivity and accessibility, monitoring and quality assurance frameworks, external evaluation, and dissemination and archiving of extension outputs to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of extension services among SUCs.<br/>Keywords: extension services, extension policies, State Universities and Colleges, policy guidelines, Western Visayas |