Cong. Samantha Santos Highlights Perseverance, Excellence at USM 47th Recognition Program
March 14, 2025
Makilala, Cotabato – The University of Southern Mindanao Extension Services Office (USM-ESO), in partnership with the Inter-Cultural Organizations’ Network for Solidarity and Peace (ICON-SP), successfully launched Unibersidad at Kumunidad (UniK) Program on March 13, 2025, at Caritas, IP Kasunayan Village, Barangay San Vicente, Makilala, Cotabato.
Bai Genibel B. Timpawa, the President of the Indigenous People’s (IP) Village, warmly welcomed the Vice President for Research, Development and Extension (VPRDE) Dr. Debbie Marie B. Versoza, USM-ESO Director Dr. Glyn G. Magbanua, and the USM-ESO team. Also present were ICON-SP Executive Director Jocelyn H. Aquiatan, and members of her office.
Caritas, Kasunayan IP Village houses more than a hundred Bagobo-Tagawaba families rescued from various areas in the municipality of Makilala. The UniK Program aims to provide sustainable and holistic support to the community, focusing on health, skills development, arts and crafts, agriculture, and literacy. Additionally, the program intends to preserve and document the community’s rich cultural heritage, including their language, food, clothing, and ornaments.
Dr. Glyn G. Magbanua, ESO Director, introduced the project leaders and outlined their specific project components, emphasizing the collaborative effort to deliver holistic community services.
CECs from the College of Education (CED), College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), Institute of Physical Education and Recreation (ISPEAR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), College of Agriculture (CA), College of Human Ecology and Food Sciences (CHEFS), College of Business, Development Economics and Management (CBDEM), College of Trades and Industry (CTI), and members of the project management team actively participated in the meeting.
During the session, the project leaders and extension coordinators facilitated the discussions and were grouped based on their expertise to streamline project implementation. Prof. Rezeille May C. Amilbahar and Prof. Ellen Joy M. Farala were assigned to the literacy component, while Prof. Agripino N. Angulo, Jr. and Prof. Vinus P. Java took charge of health and wellness. Prof. Analyn A. Gonzales and Dr. Apple Ureta were designated to lead the financial literacy component, and Mr. Julbasar M. Sajiran handled skills development. Meanwhile, Prof. Anamarie B. Uyangurin and Prof. Avegale S. Roy oversaw the arts and craft/food component.
Bai Timpawa expressed her gratitude to USM and ICON-SP for choosing their community as the program’s beneficiary.
“Dako kaayo ‘mi ug pasalamat sa mapadayunon ninyong tabang, ug mapadayunon ninyong pagsuporta. Pasalamat pud kaayo mi kay isa mi sa [mga] IP communities nga inyung napili para ma extend pa ang inyung mga program.” she said, conveying their deep appreciation for USM’s continued support.
VPRDE Versoza emphasized three key points in her speech: gratitude for the community’s trust in USM to implement the project; a commitment to future sustainable initiatives; and, a pledge to continue providing support.
“Pasalamat ko sa inyo–mga taga-Kasunayan Village sa pagdawat sa amoa, kauban ang ICON-SP,” she stated.
“Magpasalig kami nga mas mudaghan pa ang [higayon] nga kami makabalik [sa inyung lugar] para sa paghatag ug mga programa. Maminaw mi sa inyung mga panginahanglan, para mas daghan pa ang among matabang sa inyuha.” She added.
The launching program was guided by the theme: “Diverse but Inclusive: Integrated Health, Literary and Sustainability Initiative for Displaced IP Community”.
Through collaborative efforts, USM-ESO and ICON-SP strive to empower the Bagobo-Tagabawa community by fostering self-reliance while preserving their cultural identity. The success of the UniK Program underscores USM’s dedication to meaningful community engagement and its commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities through sustainable initiatives.
