๐๐ข๐ฟ๐ฆ๐จ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ง๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ
On January 16, the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) hosted a ceremonial planting of 30,000 coffee seedlings at Sitio Matabang, Taocanga, in Manay, Davao Oriental. This initiative is part of DOrSU’s project titled “Cultivating Prosperity: Empowering Indigenous Communities through Leadership and Regenerative Coffee Farming,” which aims to support local farmers in advancing regenerative coffee farming practices. Made possible by the generous donation of the seedlings from Hallmark Corporation, the event was a symbolic gesture of growth, unity, and environmental restoration.
Adding further significance to the occasion was the oath-taking ceremony of the Indigenous People (IP) leaders for the newly established ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ข๐บ๐ข ๐ด๐ข๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ช๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ฌ. Organized on October 28, 2024, the ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ฏ serves as a platform for empowering the Mandaya communities residing near Lake Diomabok, fostering collaboration among its members, and promoting the preservation of their cultural heritage.
The elected officers include Jenares Malagdao as President, Noli Magno as Vice President, Terisita Magbutong as Secretary, Palerma Bayacag as Treasurer, Milky Awit as Auditor, Jojo P. Monico as Public Information Officer, and Jhonny Jan Monico as Business Manager.
The oath-taking was administered by DOrSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension, Dr. Misael B. Clapano. Also present were key university officials, including Director for Research Dr. Lanie B. Laureano, Director for Extension Dr. Mary Fil M. Bauyot, and Director of Cooperative Development Center Ms. Jeni A. Nicolas.
The ๐๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐บ project is spearheaded by Dr. Mary Fil M. Bauyot, with Ms. Laarni M. Pasion as Assistant Project Leader. Project members include Dr. Jeralyn Hemillan, Ms. Jeni A. Nicolas, Mr. Mark Angeles, Dr. Lealyn Gumban, Mr. Denrel Hernando, and Ms. Khristine Mae Ramiro. This project exemplifies the collaboration between DOrSU and the Barangay Local Government Unit of Taocanga, Manay. It also benefits from the involvement of various university programs and centers, such as the Center for Gender and Development, Cooperative Development Center, Culture and Arts Affairs Office, BS in Agriculture, and BS in Agribusiness Management.
DOrSUโs active leadership in these initiatives highlights its dedication to advancing socio-economic progress and environmental regeneration in Davao Oriental. Anchored on its Regenerative Futures vision, the University continues to solidify its role as the frontrunner of transformative education and community empowerment in the province and beyond.
