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Arakan, Cotabato – The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) held its third coordination meeting with the Office of the Municipal Mayor of Arakan on July 21, 2025, at the Municipal Hall in Poblacion, Arakan, Cotabato, to further strengthen plans for community‑based development initiatives in the municipality.
The meeting was attended by various heads of LGU offices, including the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD), Municipal Health Office, Sangguniang Kabataan, Municipal Engineering Office, and Municipal Tourism Office. Representatives from USM were from the College of Health and Sciences, College of Agriculture, College of Trades and Industries, Sentro ng Wika at Kultura, and Extension Services Office.
Faculty members present from the CTI included Prof. Julbasar Sajiran, Prof. Marjurie V. Catuguran, and Prof. Samson Rapusa. Also, in attendance were Dr. Joan P. Sadoral, Extension Coordinator of the College of Agriculture; Dr. Radji A. Macatabon, Director of Sentro ng Wika at Kultura; and faculty members Prof. Carlo S. Dela Cruz, Prof. Agripino N. Agulo, Jr., and Prof. April Jxeel L. Palalay from the College of Health and Sciences.
Municipal Mayor Jeam D. Villasor warmly welcomed the USM team and led discussions on specific training needs he envisions for his constituents. The university presented various skills training programs that could be offered under trades and industries, agriculture, health, and tourism aligned with the expertise of its faculty and resource persons.
During the meeting, Mayor Villasor emphasized the importance of formalizing the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will be presented to the Sangguniang Bayan for approval of the budget and other necessary LGU counterparts.
To facilitate this, Prof. Joel V. Misanes will send the reviewed MOU to LGU Arakan to fast-track its endorsement and approval by the council.
Through this continuing collaboration, USM-ESO and LGU Arakan reaffirm their shared commitment to uplift communities by delivering accessible, skill-based learning opportunities tailored to the local context to promote inclusive development across Cotabato.
