KORONADAL CITY, SOCCSKSARGEN — In a landmark move aimed at strengthening regional development and collaborative innovation, DILG Dose with partner Local Resource Institutes officially sealed their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony conducted on April 21, 2026.

The Consortium is composed of Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU), University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), and Mindanao State University (MSU) General Santos City, and the newest partner, University of Santo Tomas (UST) General Santos.

The event was highlighted by the formal signing of three distinct but interconnected MOUs, establishing frameworks that aim to transform the local governance of the region:

1. Local Governance (LG) Consortium in SOCCSKSARGEN

1. CSO Academy Module Development
2. Meteor Guardians (Generating Alternative and Innovative Practices for Mitigating Meteorological Disaster): A Hydrometeorological Disaster Prevention Intervention Project

Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESO III, Regional Director of DILG Dose emphasized that effective and inclusive local governance lies in evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning that will translate into innovative solutions driving sustainable progress for our local government units.

During the ceremony, key academic leaders also underscored the importance of institutional synergy. SUC President Jonald L. Pimentel of the USM delivered a passionate message of support, emphasizing that the academic sector must work together to actively shape local governance.

Echoing this sentiment, the Bro. Paterno S. Corpus, FMS, President of NDMU highlighted the historical significance of the collaboration, particularly the inclusion of diverse educational institutions sharing a unified vision. The NDMU President noted that the combined expertise of the local resource institutes creates an unprecedented network of knowledge, resources, and human capital ready to be deployed for societal impact.

The Consortium is a collaborative academic and research think-tank designed to assist Local Government Units (LGUs) in policy formulation, capacity building, and the implementation of evidence-based governance programs.