USM Hosts Three Signing Ceremonies During RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN Innovation, Partnerships, & Agripreneurship Pitch Fest 2025

The University of Southern Mindanao, through the RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN Program, held three signing ceremonies on December 10, 2025, at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato. The activity formed part of the RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN: Innovation, Partnerships, & Agripreneurship Pitch Fest 2025, which brought together partners from public and private institutions across the region.

During the event, USM Vice President for Administration and Finance Quenilyn Durendes delivered a message on behalf of University President Jonald L. Pimentel, who was attending a prior engagement. She conveyed the President’s warm greetings and gratitude to all attendees, adding that the theme “Innovate, Collaborate, & Elevate” reminds everyone that progress in agriculture and related sectors always begins with people, the farmers, fisherfolk, communities, and students whose hopes guide the work being done. She noted that many individuals in USM work tirelessly in the field, laboratory, and community, and that partnerships allow institutions to reach beneficiaries more effectively. She said the Memorandum of Commitment being witnessed carries a promise to offer knowledge, experience, time, and compassion for strengthening responses to sector challenges, expanding opportunities for training, technology, and enterprise development, and improving livelihood outcomes. On behalf of the President, she thanked the organizers, council members, staff, and partner institutions, and encouraged everyone to continue supporting one another in the shared mission. Present during the event was Dir. Noel A. Catibog, TTPD-PCAARRD Director, representing Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, together with representatives from Region 12 SUCs and various government agencies.

The first signing formalized the commitment of the RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN Advisory Council Members who vowed to guide the program’s direction, strengthen multisectoral collaboration, and support SUCs and partner institutions in expanding research-based technologies and agri-aqua enterprise efforts. Their commitments include providing strategic guidance aligned with national and regional plans; facilitating linkages among SUCs, government, private industry, and communities; supporting alignment with ongoing initiatives; assisting in resource mobilization; participating in meetings and progress reviews; promoting technology utilization and commercialization; and championing the RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN vision within their sectors. The signing also recognized the collaboration among Region 12 SUCs, namely the University of Southern Mindanao, Sultan Kudarat State University, Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Mindanao State University–General Santos, and Cotabato State University.

The second signing was the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Regional Agribusiness Hub. Parties included the Technology Business Innovator and USM-IPTBM represented by USM President Jonald L. Pimentel; BFAR-SAAD represented by Provincial Fishery Officer Joseph Albert D. Uluan; the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist represented by Cotabato Governor Emmylou T. Mendoza; the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center represented by Director Dr. Jessie V. Beldia; and the Philippine Farmers Seed Network, Inc. represented by its Project Coordinator. The MOU laid down joint commitments in agribusiness development, capacity-building, technology deployment, and coordinated support for farmers and fisherfolk in Region 12.

The third signing formalized the partnership between the USM Siklab Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) and its incubatees. The agreement supports startups and developing agripreneurs through mentorship, technology assistance, and enterprise-building activities under the Siklab ATBI program.

The three ceremonies strengthened USM’s partnerships with public agencies, industry representatives, and academic institutions, further advancing the goals of RAISE SOCCSKSARGEN in innovation, agripreneurship, and community-centered development in Region 12.