USM Joins Regional Network for Geospatial Data Sharing
September 15, 2026
JOSE ABAD SANTOS, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL—The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Extension Services Office (ESO) and National Service Training Program (NSTP), in partnership with the South Cotabato Youth Volunteers Organization (SCYVO) and the Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) of South Cotabato, extended relief support to earthquake and landslide survivors in Barangays Nuing and Kitayo, Jose Abad Santos (JAS), Davao Occidental, during a relief distribution drive on September 11–12, 2026.
The initiative was organized in response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8, 2026, which severely affected parts of Sarangani and Davao Occidental.
To assess the current situation of the affected residents, the USM team first paid a courtesy visit to Municipal Mayor Atty. Jason John A. Joyce.
“Welcome to Jose Abad Santos. We truly appreciate your efforts na pumunta dito kahit alam nating sobrang layo ng Kabacan. Actually, we strategically chose Barangays Nuing and Kitayo kasi doon mas fit ang inyong resources and ‘yun yung nakita naming hindi masyadong nakaka-receive ng resources because nasa boundary na talaga siya ng Sarangani,” Mayor Joyce said.
The operation served three designated locations: Camp Dapdap, Camp Katinggan, and Kitayo Elementary School. A total of 187 families received essential relief supplies, including tarpaulin tents, food packs (rice, canned goods, milk, coffee, and biscuits), clean drinking water, hygiene kits, blankets, towels, and clothing.
“Abi namog dili na mi matagaan diri sa amoa kay layo na jud siya kaayo sa sentro pero kami nagapasalamat sa dakong tabang kay daghan jud mig nanginahanglan diria. Dili jud namo malimtan inyong tabang gikan sa USM ug sa South Cotabato,” expressed one of the disaster survivors.
The initiative’s success was driven by close collaboration among the USM ESO, USM NSTP, SCYVO led by Mr. Xander Morales, the South Cotabato PYDO led by Ms. Jobeelyn Corilla, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Jose Abad Santos represented by Ms. Leah Lanie Licay, who coordinated ground communications and volunteer mobilization.
The USM delegation included Prof. Bonifacio C. Solsoloy (NSTP Director), Prof. Anamarie B. Uyangurin (Monitoring and Impact Assessment Unit Head), Mr. Jimwell P. Pande (Extension Editor), Mr. Diether M. Barro (ESO Staff), Mr. Arnabie A. Murray (Project Staff), and Mr. Revin A. Casten (ESO Admin Aide VI).
This relief effort reaffirms USM’s core values of goodness and responsiveness in times of crisis—delivering vital humanitarian support to underserved communities.
