Three state universities and colleges signed memoranda of agreement with Silliman University on the conduct of researches and activities, that bolster their reputation as Regional Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project Centers in Visayas and Mindanao, a press release from the SU said.

Cebu Technological University, Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, and the Masbate School of Fisheries have committed to conduct approved baseline studies and public awareness campaigns in the areas of biodiversity conservation and coastal resource management.

The MOAs were signed in separate occasions by the SUC presidents in their respective campuses – December for DOSCST, and May 2012 for CTU and MSF, the press release said.

The accords with CTU, DOSCST and MSF came after the schools were chosen by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as RICs, under the Philippine government's Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project, the press release also said.

ICRMP is a project run on a loan from the Asian Development Bank and a grant from the Global Environment Facility. SU has been engaged as an "assisting institution" or consultant for the Visayas and Mindanao, while the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. of the University of the Philippines-Diliman handles Luzon.

Silliman was also instrumental in the initial phase of a capacity building activity, that was aimed at the establishment of the RICs in CTU, DOSCST and MSF, and the capacitation of their respective personnel.

Under the project, the RICs in Cebu, Davao and Masbate will serve as hubs for biodiversity monitoring, research, training and demonstration, and information, education and communication, the press release said.

Heading the Silliman ICRMP team is university president Ben Malayang III. The members who are specialists in their respective fields are Dr. Angel Alcala, biodiversity conservation; Hilconida Calumpong, coastal resource management; Enrique Oracion, institutional specialist; Betsy Joy Tan, education; Mikhail Lee Maxino, legal; Mark Raygan Garcia, IEC; and Wilma Tejero, project coordinator, the press release added.*

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