𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝐒𝐂𝐒𝐂 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐒𝐮𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚-𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐂 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝟑 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

May 5, 2026 | SOUTH COTABATO – South Cotabato State College (SCSC), through its Research and Publication Office, conducted a whole-day strategic planning session on May 4 to harmonize and finalize key project documents for Phase 3 of the Mindanao Sulu Palawan – Innovative Research and Development Consortium (MinSuPala-IRDC) program.

 

Held at the Community Outreach Center, the activity brought together project leaders, study team members, support staff, and the secretariat to complete and standardize the Line-Item Budgets (LIB), Work and Financial Plans (WFP), and Project Procurement Management Plans (PPMP) of the program’s five research components.

 

The planning session aimed to consolidate each study’s operational requirements into uniform templates to guide implementation, strengthen coordination, streamline procurement, and maximize project resources for community impact.

 

The morning session opened with a roll call and an inspirational message, followed by a Phase 3 progress report. Study leaders then presented updates and refined frameworks of their respective components, which include Study 1: Agronomic Practices, led by Dr. Mylene Grace C. Denona and Dr. Joebert C. Legreso; Study 2: From Waste to Value: Sustainable Utilization of Black Rice Residues for Community-Based Product Innovation, led by Dr. Joemari V. Baron; Study 3: Market Acceptability of Black Rice Food and Non-Food Products in South Cotabato, led by Prof. Teresa M. Lachica; Study 4: Food Product Development of Black Rice, led by Dr. Dexter C. Necor; and Study 5: Flood Mitigation and Riparian Rehabilitation, led by Prof. Nikki C. Cordero.

 

After a health break and a re-echoing session on module development and product commercialization, participants proceeded to group workshops for the hands-on finalization of their project documents. Each team reviewed budget entries, synchronized activity timelines, and aligned procurement schedules to ensure consistency across all studies.

Dr. Dexter C. Necor, Director of Research and Publication, emphasized that the activity goes beyond compliance and is anchored on long-term accountability and project continuity.

“We are building a transparent, accountable, and professionally documented foundation that will outlast the project period. These corrected templates will serve as models for future research initiatives,” Necor said during the wrap-up. By late afternoon, the five study groups presented their outputs for final review. Minor revisions were addressed, and key agreements were summarized, resulting in harmonized and approved work and financial plans, and uniform PPMP formats that will help simplify monitoring, oversight, and audit requirements.

 

The activity concluded with a closing prayer and a shared commitment to deliver Phase 3 outputs toward practical innovations and lasting benefits for South Cotabato communities.

 

The Research and Publication Office extended its gratitude to SUC President Dr. Edward Lovell B. Brillantes for his steadfast support, and to all study leaders, members, and the secretariat team for ensuring a smooth and productive session.

 

Research and Publication Office