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University of Southern Mindanao (USM) President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, together with Dr. Cheryl Dulay, Dean of the College of Business, Development Economics and Management (CBDEM), and Dr. Renel M. Alucilja, Director of the Planning and Development Office (PDO), participated in the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) 2026 at Dusit Thani Davao City.
The delegation joined the forum’s multi-sectoral plenary sessions, specialized breakout discussions, project presentations, and business matching activities, where USM presented three proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment areas.
The first proposal is a Convention, Commercial, and Dormitory Complex featuring a 1,000-seat plenary hall, a 500-square-meter retail strip, and student accommodation for 400 to 600 residents. The proposed development is anchored on the University’s enrollment of more than 11,167 students.
The second proposal is a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under a 15-year arrangement with no upfront capital expenditure (CapEx). It adopts a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The proposed terms include a 20% reduction in grid electricity costs from the first day of implementation and an annual escalation cap of 1.5%
The third proposal is an Agrivoltaics Renewable Energy Project, which combines solar power generation with climate-smart agriculture through the integration of solar installations and crop research on USM’s land assets.
USM also presented the Cotabato Innovation and Science City prospectus to representatives of international financial institutions and regional business leaders. The presentation featured the University’s 1,024-hectare main campus and its proposed PPP development projects.
The forum also provided opportunities for discussions on PPP implementation, renewable energy, development financing, agribusiness, sustainable land management, and ease of doing business. Participating agencies and institutions included the PPP Center, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Finance (DOF), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), World Bank, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
During the business matching sessions, USM officials met with prospective developers, investors, and renewable energy providers to discuss possible partnerships for the University’s proposed projects.
