USM Launches ₱4.99-M DOST-PCIEERD-funded Geohazard Center
October 9, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) formalized a partnership with Department of Trades and industries (DTI) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Cotabato Province through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing of the CBDEM-ALLIES (Advancing Livelihoods through Linkages, Innovation and Enterprise Support) Project, on October 8, 2026 at the College of Business, Development Economics and Management (CBDEM)–Lope E. Dapun Building.
CBDEM-ALLIES Project aims to address enterprise development challenges confronting Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Cotabato Province, particularly in areas of business management, product competitiveness, digital adoption, organizational capacity, and market accessibility.
USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel signed the MOA alongside DTI Cotabato Provincial Director Robert A. Orfrecio, and DAR Provincial Officer Evangeline C. Bueno. Also present to witness the signing were USM Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Debbie Marie P. Verzosa, Extension Services Director Glyn G. Magbanua, CBDEM Dean Cheryl Y. Dulay, CBDEM–ALLIES Project Leader Laurence Arjay T. Mamburam and DTI CARP NEXUS Project Focal Person Mae Petsy Bundoc.
As partnerships already undergo formalization, the project team is set to implement extension activities covering product development and packaging, digital marketing and e-commerce, financial literacy and enterprise planning, organizational development, and market linkage facilitation among its target beneficiaries.
Strategically aligned with DTI’s Project CARP NEXUS (Network for Extension in Universities and Schools), the project’s activities will also be complemented by continuing technical assistance, mentoring, and monitoring.
The MOA Signing underscored the university’s efforts towards multi-sectoral collaboration, targeting to establish a sustained mechanism for knowledge sharing, capacity development, and institutional support that will help strengthen local enterprises, expand economic opportunities, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable rural development in Cotabato Province.
