Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) President Dr. Ruth S. Lucero signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) together with other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Davao Region on February 10, 2023 in Davao Oriental State University (DORSU), Mati City.

Present during the ceremonial signing were Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag and other SUCs Presidents including Davao del Sur State College (DSSC), Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), Davao de Oro State College (DDOSC), Partido State University (PSU), Sorsogon State University (SSU), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), and Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT). The signing was anchored on the Southeast Asian Centre for Tropical Biology's (SEAMEO BIOTROP) commitment to support biodiversity conservation, sustainability, improvement of the environmental and socioeconomic state, and academic efforts towards tropical biology diversity.

SEAMEO BIOTROP Director Dr. Zulhamsyah Imran highly emphasized the concept of “no tree, no fish, no food.” Dr. Lucero elaborated on the importance of this undertaking to SPAMAST. She is a fervent advocate of preserving and protecting biodiversity and promoting ridge-to-reef conservation. “This collaboration is not just about accomplishing our goals, but it is also about working together to create a better future, not for us but for our children and the next generations. I am confident that we will be able to make a real difference in promoting sustainable biodiversity,” Dr. Lucero said.

BIOTROP member countries include Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its objective is to be an active part of the economic development of the Southeast Asian Region. BIOTROP is currently identifying and solving critical biological issues, providing solutions to regional development problems through research initiatives, integrating tools and principles of research, training professionals to advance biological research in Southeast Asia and producing a ripple effect in biodiversity efforts.

Photo credits: Prof. Michelle Elemino