Longstanding DOrSU–Mati Diocese partnership reaches parish communities anew
The longstanding partnership between Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) and the Diocese of Mati has once again reached parish communities across the province, this time through consultations for the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly of Mati (DPAM) 2026.
From July 6 to 18, 2026, researchers from DOrSU joined the Diocesan Pastoral Team in visiting 22 parishes and quasi-parishes to conduct focus group discussions and validate a questionnaire on the 1994 Pastoral Decree.
The latest undertaking builds on earlier collaboration between the University and the Diocese, including DOrSU’s participation in the Diocese’s pre-synodal consultations. In both efforts, the University brought its research capacity into communities to help gather and examine the views of the faithful.
For the DPAM 2026 consultations, lay participants were invited to review the questionnaire and comment on whether its questions were clear, relevant, and reflective of parish realities.
The discussions centered on the participants’ awareness of the implementation of the 1994 Pastoral Decree and their familiarity with the mandates and functions of the Diocese’s episcopal commissions, committees, and offices.
Observations gathered during the parish visits will be used to refine the questionnaire before it is administered on a wider scale. The process is intended to provide the Diocese with a clearer account of how the decree has been understood and carried out in different communities since its issuance.
The DOrSU Research Team was composed of Dr. Edito B. Sumile, Dr. Mary Fil M. Bauyot, Dr. Janessa G. Pilar, Dr. Jeralyn N. Hemillan, Dr. Ricksterlie C. Verzosa, Jammil Niño V. Ngoho, Jerico Function, and Lea Jane P. Balote.
The consultations covered San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish in Boston; Sr. Santiago Apostol Parish in Cateel; Sto. Niño Parish in Kinablangan, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lambajon, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Baganga; San Antonio de Padua Quasi-Parish in Baugo and San Salvador del Mundo Parish in Caraga; St. Francis Xavier Parish and San Ignacio de Loyola Parish in Manay; and San Pedro Claver Parish in Tarragona.
The team also visited San Ignacio de Loyola Parish in Luzon and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Governor Generoso; San Isidro Labrador Parish in Batobato and St. Justin Quasi-Parish in Manikling, San Isidro; San Lorenzo Ruiz Quasi-Parish in Piso and San Isidro Labrador Parish in Banaybanay; San Vicente Ferrer Parish and Sto. Rosario Parish in Calapagan, Lupon; and Birhen de Guia Quasi-Parish in Dawan, Sacred Heart Parish in Dahican, Divine Mercy Shrine in Madang, and San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish in the City of Mati.
The continuing partnership shows how DOrSU’s work in research and community engagement can support institutions whose decisions shape life at the local level. It also gives practical expression to the University’s regenerative futures vision by creating space for people to be heard, strengthening institutions, and drawing on shared knowledge to guide the future of communities.
