BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
GENERAL SANTOS CITY: Chancellor JD Usman D. Aragasi of Mindanao State University-General Santos hosted the Region XII-SDG Caravan on Sustainable Futures at the Mindanao State University College of Education Training Department, SGS Audio Visual Room on Thursday July 18, 2024. This event marked an important step toward enhancing Philippine security through sustainable development goals (SDGs) and future-oriented research.
The event kicked off at 1 pm with eager participants registering. The opening ceremonies set an inspiring tone as Lizan E. Perante-Calina, DPA, Dean of the DAP-Graduate School of Public and Development Management, explained the purpose and goals of the SDG Caravan.
Aragasi warmly welcomed the attendees with a heartfelt message, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving sustainable futures. He commended the collaborations and partnerships fostered by MSU Gensan, highlighting the fruitful collaboration with DAP and other sectors. “The collaboration we have with DAP and other sectors brings many blessings, showing that MSU Gensan is soaring high,” he stated.
The highlight of the event was the plenary presentations on SDG and future thinking research. Dr. Ruperto S. Sangalang, a Research Fellow at DAP-GSPDM, led the session with an insightful discussion on “The Futures of Philippine Rice Security: Scenario Building.” His exploration of various scenarios aimed at ensuring the future stability and security of the nation’s rice supply captivated the audience.
Following Dr. Sangalang, Dr. Segundo Joaquin E. Romero, Jr., also a Research Fellow at DAP-GSPDM, presented “Foresighting and Localizing the SDGs: The Future Earth Philippines Experience.” His presentation delved into the critical importance of localizing SDGs and shared the enlightening experiences of Future Earth Philippines in foresighting sustainable development goals.
Dr. Madlyn D. Tingco, another esteemed Research Fellow at DAP-GSPDM, addressed the pressing issue of “InSALTfficiency: The Specter of Philippine Salt Production Industry Decline and Ways Forward.” She highlighted the challenges faced by the Philippine salt production industry and proposed innovative strategies for its revitalization.
The plenary session concluded with a compelling presentation by Dr. Mario J. Aguja, a Research Fellow at DAP-GSPDM. He discussed “Ligawasan Marsh: Developing a Context-Specific Process of Futures Thinking: The Use of Bitiala in Crafting Future Scenarios of the Ligawasan Marsh Communities.” Dr. Aguja’s focus on the Bitiala approach in developing future scenarios for the Ligawasan Marsh communities provided valuable insights into context-specific futures thinking.
An open forum followed the presentations, allowing participants to engage with the speakers and explore the topics in greater depth. A key question was raised by Prof. Cathy Mae D. Toquero from the College of Education: “While we understand the power of these research studies, how can we influence policymakers to transform this body of knowledge into effective policies in local regions?”
In response, Ma. Olivia Z. Domingo, DPA, Supervising Fellow at DAP-Graduate School of Public and Development Management, highlighted the importance of proactive dissemination. “I think it’s not only about conducting studies but also about influencing and helping shape the future,” she said. “When we do research, we don’t just publish it or store a copy in the library. We want our agencies to actively disseminate this knowledge and provide the Senate with a copy. We have what we call a compendium of research, which includes all the policy recommendations.” This approach underscores the need for research to go beyond academic circles and reach those in positions of power, ensuring that valuable insights lead to tangible policy changes.
To conclude the event, certificates were awarded, followed by a closing synthesis by Dr. Domingo. She discussed the factors driving the identification of sustainable development goals, the projects undertaken, and the studies conducted.
“Let me just end by saying we have done a little bit to look into the future, but we need everybody’s help to change our mindset to a longer timeframe and think about the coming generations,” she remarked.
Domingo emphasized that the actions we take today, or fail to take, have significant implications for future generations. She urged everyone to ensure that we leave behind a sustainable and bright future for those yet to come.
