The MINSUPALA IRDC is the brainchild of Secretary Pangandaman, a product of an exploratory meeting last June 1, 2023 at the Greenleaf Hotel. The signing of MOA for IRDC was immediately realized 50 days after the initial consultative meeting, demonstrating SUC’s eagerness to enhance social capital development.

The consortium will be led by DBM Region XII Regional Director Akmad J. Usman and is composed of various SUCs in BARMM and Region XII — MSU-Maguindanao, Adiong Memorial State College (AMSC), Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Cotabato State University, Mindanao State University – General Santos, 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝙲𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚘 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎, Sultan Kudarat State University, and University of Southern Mindanao. The collaboration will facilitate sharing of resources, relevant R&D and best practices between and among the consortium member institutions.

The IRDC presented by Chancellor Limbona was an output of series of meetings with various heads of the SUCs. The synergy created through this partnership is poised to produce remarkable outcomes that will maximize the full potential of natural resources and will benefit the Mindanaoan. As this collaboration unfolds, it is expected to inspire further partnerships and spark a wave of innovative research and development initiatives.

In her message, Sec. Pangandaman expressed her gratefulness to the SUCs for heeding the call and challenge in this consortium. She mentioned that this might not be new, but it is the first in Mindanao. Also, she shared her meeting with World Bank in regards to the scarcity on water experienced at the present which makes the focus of the consortium very relevant. Further, she assured the support of DBM on programs on research and development in Mindanao.

One of the priority R&D of the consortium is the Assessment and Characterization of Water Quality, Inland Capture Fisheries, Watershed, and Socio-Economic of Important Water Bodies for Social and Economic Transformation in Central Mindanao. It is a unified project where each SUC will collaboratively work into R&D initiatives to maximize the use of abundant natural water resources in Mindanao. Moreover, this R&D will address the urgent need for conservation, management, and sustainable utilization of these valuable water resources.