MinDA Chairperson Secretary Mabel Acosta and UP President Angelo Jimenez present the signed Memorandum of Understanding

The University of the Philippines (UP) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a wide range of programs towards sustaining socio-economic development in Mindanao. UP President Angelo Jimenez and MinDA Chairperson Secretary Maria Belen Acosta signed the MOU on May 8, 2024, at the MinDA conference room in Davao City. The memorandum stated that the parties should collaborate on research focusing on governance, conflict mitigation, the environment, and outreach projects for socio-economic development. UP and MinDA will jointly conduct capacity-building activities, exchange information, and plan for these purposes.

MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Acosta accommodates the courtesy call of UP President Angelo Jimenez

President Jimenez affixes his signature on the MinDA guest book

In the courtesy call paid by the UP president to the MinDA offices before the signing ceremony, President Jimenez and Secretary Acosta exchanged possibilities for collaboration ranging from sustainable energy, and halal food, to cultural and sports events. "If you look closely at our ASEAN region, Mindanao is in the heart of our geography," said President Jimenez. "UP can engage in co-creation with local partners in instruction, research, and public service," he said.

"It is providential that we finally met," said Secretary Acosta. "It is an exciting partnership, and our time today is not enough to discuss what we could do together," she said.

After the ceremony, officials from the two agencies sat down for the first of a series of planning sessions while the two lead officials announced the agreement at the "Habi't Kape" weekly press conference in a nearby mall.  

Chancellor Murao details the scope of the MOU

The signing ceremony is witnessed by MinDA Exec. Dir. Janet Lopoz and UP EVP Jose Fernando Alcantara

The MinDA personnel attended the ceremony

Sec. Acosta and Pres. Jimenez present the MOU to the media