𝗗𝗢𝗿𝗦𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝗥𝗗𝗖’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) will serve as the regional academic and scientific partner of the Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC) under its Integrated Natural Resource Estate (INRE) framework. The partnership will support planned initiatives in environmental research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management in Davao Oriental and surrounding areas.
The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on October 30 at the DOrSU University Boardroom. DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce and NRDC President and Chief Executive Officer Judge Benjamin D. Turgano (Ret.) signed the agreement to establish a framework for collaboration under the INRE initiative.
A key initiative under the partnership is Project LUNTIAN, which seeks to establish an environmental research and learning site on the University campus. The proposed site will feature a garden of Philippine native trees, a bambusetum for bamboo conservation and research, and an edible landscape that demonstrates sustainable food production.
The site is envisioned as a living laboratory where students, faculty members, and researchers can engage in teaching, research, and extension activities. It will also promote biodiversity conservation and environmental education by connecting academic learning with the study and protection of ecosystems.
President Ponce highlighted the broader ecological vision of Project LUNTIAN and emphasized the connection between forest regeneration and marine ecosystem restoration.
“With the concept of LUNTIAN, it will now reach from forest regeneration down to coral reef regeneration,” President Ponce said.
Beyond the proposed campus site, the partnership identifies potential areas for collaboration in ecological assessments, watershed rehabilitation, coastal and marine conservation, environmental monitoring, and community-based initiatives. These efforts could connect academic research with practical approaches to ecosystem conservation and natural resource management.
Judge Turgano emphasized the importance of DOrSU’s academic and scientific contributions to the partnership. In his address, he described the University as “a knowledge partner, a co-designer of solutions, and an institutional steward.” He also underscored the value of academic expertise in developing and evaluating practical approaches to environmental stewardship.
Judge Turgano stressed that the partnership’s success should be measured by its long-term impact on ecosystems and communities rather than by the completion of agreements or tree-planting activities alone.
“The success of this partnership will not be measured by agreements signed, ceremonies conducted, or even trees planted. It will be measured by the forests that survive, the ecosystems that recover, the knowledge put to practical use, and the communities whose lives are transformed,” he said.
Both institutions plan to work toward a national launching of the INRE at DOrSU in the first quarter of 2027. A separate implementing agreement will define the scope, activities, responsibilities, and resource requirements for Project LUNTIAN.
Through the partnership, DOrSU and NRDC aim to strengthen collaboration in environmental research, education, and natural resource conservation while exploring practical approaches to ecosystem restoration and community development.
