
The Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi Campus conferred Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez for his contribution to the Mindanao Sports for Peace movement.
The award was given Thursday at the MSU Convention Center in Lanao del Sur during the university’s 60th founding anniversary celebration.
“You have touched the hearts of many. On behalf of the whole MSU System community, we honor the unrelenting support you have afforded our institution,” said MSU System President Habib Macaayong, who led the awarding of the academic recognition.
Also in attendance of the ceremony were Executive Vice President Rasid Paca, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Alma Berowa, and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Alizedney Ditucalan.
Two months after the Marawi siege in 2017, the PSC aided more than 300 displaced children in Brgy. Buru-un in Iligan City to conduct the Children’s Games. The PSC returned and brought the program inside MSU to more than 500 children all over the city.
Through the PSC, more than 20,000 children from Marawi played.
“I am humbled at the privilege of esteem being bestowed on me today with this conferment of a Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa by this prestigious and respected educational institution,” said Ramirez in his acceptance speech.
The agency chief shared that President Rodrigo Duterte made it clear to him when he assumed office, to bring sports to the periphery.
“Although Marawi is not in the periphery, it is an urban society beset by the sad realities of strife. That is why we continued supporting this city, by rehabilitating the MSU Track Oval to an Olympic-standard facility and helping accelerate sports development, we hope to shore up the spirits of the people and spark inspiration among the youth through sports.”