GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) have partnered for the 10th Mindanao Policy Research Forum in observance of the 22nd Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) on Sept. 26.
The event, held at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City, was also a collaboration between the Philippine APEC Study Center Network and Mindanao State University-General Santos (MSU-Gensan).
MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno highlighted the 10th Mindanao Policy Research Forum as a crucial platform for leaders, practitioners, and development advocates to explore ideas and innovation shaping Mindanao’s future.
Magno said the event, which carried the theme, “Navigating Global Trends, Mindanao’s Future: Opportunities and Strategies for Expanding the Middle Class,” aligns with the agency’s vision for Mindanao’s sustained growth spelled out in Mindanao Agenda 2030.
PIDS President Ancieto C. Orbeta Jr. expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders, participants, and media who attended the event to spread information for the general public.
He further emphasized that the “forum re-affirms the importance of the middle class as a catalyst for socio-economic development” and that PIDS’ research validates their importance, including their increasing size and strength, which is essential for the nation’s growth.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Usman D. Aragasi of the MSU-Gensan emphasized the importance of advocating for collaboration, innovation, and sustainability to keep up with the global trend.
He said these “concepts” will help propel the university to even more become an excellent, responsive, and relevant institution in today’s age and time.
The event featured plenary presentations from two experts in their own respective fields of research, highlighting the findings as well as the recommendation to help achieve the region’s vision.
Roehlano M. Briones, a senior research fellow at PIDS, presented a study on the effectiveness of matching grant programs in targeting the poorest of the poor.
Briones’ study, “Can Agri Value Chain Interventions Target the Poorest of the Poor? The Case of Matching Grant Programs” explores the potential of boosting agri-value chains to aid the poor and promote sustainable income.
“We aim to study the entire process and hopefully devise measures to facilitate the transition from purely farming to a more value-added, diversified income source, and hopefully a higher income from the whole agrisystem,” he explained.
He then stressed the importance of transitioning from traditional farming to a diversified value-added approach for higher income.
Mario J. Aguja, MSU-Gensan Dean for the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, also presented his study, “Land of Promise, Land of Contradictions? Navigating Mindanao’s Future Towards a Middle Class Society.”
The study focuses on the status and development of society in the island region.
The speaker emphasized that the Philippine society aims to achieve a “prosperous middle-class society” by 2040, eliminating poverty.
“But to become a peaceful or [prosperous] society, we must give sense to this social contract of ours, ang pagbubuo ng isang makatarungan at makataong lipunan (the establishment of a just and humane society),” Aguja rationalized.
The presentation also facilitated discussions among stakeholders from various sectors, including government officials, planners, scholars, professionals, and academe, to promote a sustainable future for Mindanao. (SRP – PIA SarGen)
