Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

As a daughter of Mindanao, water has always been part of my story. Growing up, water was never something we talked about in policy terms. It was simply there—or sometimes, painfully, not. It meant whether crops would survive the season, fish would be plentiful, flooding would wash away homes, or whether a dry spell would strain families doing their best to get by. Long before I entered government, I understood that water is not just an environmental issue, but more about stability, opportunity, and dignity.

At the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), I realized that decisions on Mindanao’s natural resources were often made with incomplete data, fragmented perspectives, and limited coordination across institutions—a gap that has real consequences on our people.

MinSuPala-IRDC was our response to that gap.

It began with a conversation—an exploratory meeting between us, at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and heads and representatives of state universities and colleges (SUCs) on June 1, 2023, in General Santos City, where we discussed creating a united front to address regional challenges. After merely 50 days, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Mindanao Sulu Palawan – Innovative Research and Development Consortium (MinSuPala-IRDC) was formally signed, marking the official start of its mission to promote innovative research, support sustainable development, and strengthen research and extension capabilities. And I am pleased to note, that from the initial nine member SUCs, the consortium has now grown to 14 member SUCs.

On Jan. 1, 2024, the Consortium conducted the ceremonial signing and launching of the MOA for a 12-month project titled “Assessment and Characterization of Water Quality, Inland Capture Fisheries, Watershed, and Socio-economic of Important Water Bodies for Social and Economic Transformation in Central Mindanao.” The goal was to generate reliable baseline data for key water bodies in Central Mindanao, for policies and budgets to be grounded in reality rather than assumptions, facilitating sustainable development and transformation of the region. It recognizes the intrinsic linkages between water quality, inland capture fisheries, watershed health, and socio-economic conditions, emphasizing the need to address these aspects holistically.

The Phase 1 research focused on some of Mindanao’s most critical inland water bodies, i.e., Lake Lanao, Lake Sebu, Pulangi River, Ligawasan Marsh, Allah River, Lake Buluan, and the Rio Grande de Mindanao—lifelines for millions of people. It is aligned with and contributes to the realization of various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

What struck me most was not the statistics but the insights gained. Environmental degradation and poverty are linked. Weak governance and weak data reinforce each other. And without coordinated action, the burden always falls hardest on those with the fewest resources. Through the recommendations for water resources management, environmental conservation, and community resilience, it is hoped that integrating stronger climate dimensions into our national budget can continue.

Hence, I believe this collaborative research initiative is a testament to our commitment to establishing a dynamic innovation ecosystem where we harness and explore local resources and implement data-driven programs to address regional needs, reflecting our resolve to achieve socioeconomic transformation that is inclusive, future-proof, and sustainable.

Thus, I am glad to learn that the first Mindanao Forum on Waters and Natural Resources was successfully held in General Santos City in November 2025. The three-day forum, organized by the consortium, brought together over 170 researchers, policymakers, educators, innovators, and development partners from Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. It showcased research findings, SUC-led innovations, and collaborative solutions that could pave the way for actions toward a resilient and water-secure Mindanao.

The forum’s theme, “Empowering Mindanao through Mobilized Collaboration, Integrated Knowledge, Nurtured Innovation, and Amplified Local Wisdom,” reflects a belief I have carried throughout public service: that solutions imposed rarely last, and solutions developed in isolation usually do not work. Real progress can only happen when institutions listen, collaborate, and respect the knowledge that already exists in communities.

I am glad that the Phase 1 consolidated reports and published books were turned over by the consortium lead, Chancellor Bai Hejira Nefertiti Limbona of MSU–Maguindanao, to the DBM. This symbolizes that research no longer ends on shelves but has moved into the hands of those who shape policy and allocate resources.

The student Innovation Hackathon was another reminder of why this work matters. The youth presented solutions rooted in local realities—practical, thoughtful, and hopeful. They are ready to lead. Our responsibility is to give them systems that work.

Beyond budget, the first Mindanao Forum on Waters and Natural Resources and the consortium's work show the necessity of aligning public resources with evidence, climate realities, and community needs. It means recognizing that development is not measured only by spending, but by whether people feel its impact in their daily lives.

Let us build on this accomplishment and continue advancing research and innovation as we apply a whole-of-society approach to fostering growth that supports our institutions dedicated to preserving and nurturing a flourishing environment. As Citizen Mina, I believe that is the least we owe the land and people who shaped us.