USM-ESO Extends: Launches UniK Program in Makilala to Empower Bagobo-Tagabawa Community
March 15, 2025
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) is one of the MINSUPALA – IRDC (Innovative Research and Development Consortium, created to coordinate regional innovative research and development priorities anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. Its first project was the Assessment and Characterization of Water Quality, Inland Capture Fisheries, Watershed, and Socio-economic Aspects of Important Water Bodies for Social and Economic Transformation in Central Mindanao, funded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This project was carried out by 9 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Mindanao, with Mindanao State University-Maguindanao serving as the lead institution. Francisco Gil N. Garcia, PhD was the program leader for the project component assigned to USM.
The project was designed with the intention that its findings would be utilized. Now that it has been recently completed, the results are being shared with stakeholders. On March 4, 2025, the project team of the watershed component, led by Dr. Jennet R. Mag-aso, shared findings with barangay captains of Alamada. The presentation was included in the agenda of the regular meeting of the barangay captains, and was held in the Alamada Municipal Office Compound. They presented key findings on soil erosion, flora and fauna, hydrological patterns, land use, and landslide and flood vulnerabilities. Their data were collected from the upstream, middle stream, and downstream areas of the watershed to provide a comprehensive understanding of spatial variations in water quality, ecological conditions, and potential sources of risk.
Another presentation was held on March 13, 2025, this time during the meeting of the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB). In attendance were Atty. Felix S. Alicer, Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Jesus N. Sacdalan, Mayor of Alamada, and representatives of Hon. Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, together with barangay captains and the police.
The project’s outputs included a terminal report and a book on flora and fauna, both presented to stakeholders as reference materials. The team received a positive reception, as their data was deemed valuable for developing the tourism plan and forest land use plan. They were even invited to draft proposals on tourism carrying capacity and for water quality. These contributions highlight the project’s impact and its role in guiding future planning efforts.
Currently, the team is carrying out the second phase of the project, again funded by DBM, with the second phase building on the findings and recommendations of the initial study.
