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LOOK | SCSC bags multiple awards in the 1st Mindanao Forum on Waters and Natural Resources
South Cotabato State College emerged as one of the standout institutions in the 1st Mindanao Forum on Waters and Natural Resources, securing five major awards during the three-day gathering held 26–28 November 2025 at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City.
The inaugural edition of the forum centered on the theme “Empowering Mindanao through M.I.N.A.—Mobilized Collaboration, Integrated Knowledge, Nurtured Innovation, and Amplified Local Wisdom,” Research outputs from Phase 1 of the MinSuPala-IRDC Project were presented, showcasing collaborative work from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and partner institutions across Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan region.
Participants competed under six difference areas:
Thematic Area 1 – Water Quality and Watershed Resilience
Thematic Area 2 – Inland Capture Fisheries and Biodiversity
Thematic Area 3 – Socio-Economic Conditions and Livelihood Innovations
Thematic Area 4 – Local Governance and Resource-Led Management
Three-Minute Policy Pitch
Innovation Hackathon
SCSC’s presentations centered on the Allah River, a major component of the Allah Valley Protected Landscape. The studies contribute new scientific insights critical to informing the AVPL’s Protected Area Management Plan and strengthening conservation efforts for the watershed.
Professor Hope P. Esparagoza claimed first place in the 3- minute policy pitch after presenting “Fuelwood Harvesting and Riparian Buffer Protection Policy”—a community-based conservation strategy promoting riparian buffer zones and revegetation. His presentation drew significant interest for its strong and sustainable reforestation agenda.
In the Theme 2 – Poster Category, Dr. Dexter C. Necor earned first place for documenting the fish communities of the Allah River—the first study of its kind. Most importantly, the research confirmed the persistence of two putatively endemic species in the headwaters, indicating the river’s continued capacity to support native biodiversity.
SCSC also ruled the Innovation Hackathon, with Jeffer Kitz B. Cuales, Yany E. Torilla and Keziah S. Diaz, along with adviser Nikki C. Cordero, taking first place with The Palaypel—a creative upcycling initiative that transforms rice straws into eco-friendly paper.
Under Theme 3 – Poster Category, Dr. Jomarie V. Baron finished second among 8 entries after presenting their work on the socio-economic conditions of riverine communities along the Allah River. His study highlights how understanding household livelihoods can inform more responsive development strategies for families living near the waterway.
Professor Nydie D. Brillantes, MIB, MAST likewise secured second place in Theme 1 for her poster examining the water quality status of the Allah River and the conservation implications of the findings for the Allah Valley Protected Landscape.
Professor Reymart Jade Gavileno, MS also presented his geospatial analysis of the Allah Valley, which is an important contribution that enhances the consortium’s understanding of landscape patterns and watershed dynamics within the region.
SUC President I Dr. Edward Lovell B. Brillantes expressed pride and honor in the college’s strong performance that these achievements reflects both the growing research capacity of SCSC and the dedication of its faculty and students. He emphasized that the victories are shared wins for the entire consortium and calls on them to value the collaboration under the MinSuPala-IRDC and the SUCs commitment to continue supporting research that strengthens scientific understanding, uplifts local communities, and advances sustainable resource management across Mindanao.
The MinSuPala-IRDC is a brainchild of former DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, was conceived during an exploratory meeting on June 1, 2023 at the Greenleaf Hotel. The signing of its Memorandum of Agreement followed just 50 days later, a testament to the eagerness to strengthen social capital development through collaborative research and innovation. Today, the consortium proudly brings together fourteen (14) member State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
The forum convened more than 200 researchers, innovators, policymakers, faculty experts, and development partners across the Mindanao region. It served as a crucial venue for knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration on sustainable water and natural resource governance.
The achievements and research outputs presented in the forum—especially those contributed by SCSC—strongly reflect the goals of sustainable development, particularly those aligned with ensuring quality education (SDG 4), promoting clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), fostering sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), encouraging responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), advancing climate action (SDG 13), conserving aquatic life (SDG 14), protecting terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15), and strengthening partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).
✍️📸: Diofel Tampoy – Research Assist.
Kyla Navel Balasa – Science Aide
Quint Ivan Pojas – Science Aide
