Koronadal City — In a significant step towards bolstering marine conservation and advancing scientific research in Mindanao, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office XII, in collaboration with key academic institutions, formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 25 to develop the DENR XII Research, Ecotourism, Aquatic, and Monitoring Complex (DREAM-C) Marine Scientific Research Station (MSRS) Research Agenda.
Held in Koronadal City, the signing ceremony brought together a powerhouse of academic and government leaders united by a shared vision of sustainable marine resource management. Spearheading the agreement was DENR XII Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer, alongside representatives from Santo Niño College Foundation Inc., Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Holy Child Central Colleges Inc., and New Hope School of Agriculture and Fisheries Inc.
Also present as witnesses and partners in the initiative were MSU-General Santos and the Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC).
Bridging Science and Stewardship
At the heart of this partnership lies the DREAM-C Marine Scientific Research Station to be established in Alabel, Sarangani Province. Designed as a flagship facility, it aims to be a center of excellence in marine biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable coastal resource management.
The MSRS will go beyond the bounds of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, extending its scientific reach to the broader Celebes Sea Biogeographic Region—an ecologically significant area teeming with marine life.
RED Alicer underscored the national importance of the project, saying, “The MSRS in Sarangani is one of five such stations being established across the country. For this to succeed, we need the expertise and full involvement of our academic partners to shape a solid research agenda and ensure the long-term impact of this initiative.”
A Two-Way Partnership
Under the MOA, DENR XII will take the lead in policy formulation, infrastructure funding, regulatory compliance, and inter-agency coordination. Meanwhile, the academe will take charge of developing scientific programs, designing research infrastructure that meets global marine science standards, and initiating capacity-building efforts targeting students, professionals, and local communities.
Dr. Jun Y. Badie of Santo Niño College Foundation Inc. emphasized the role of education in shaping responsible environmental stewards. “Through this partnership, we can bring science out of the classroom and into the communities that depend on our marine ecosystems,” he said.
Supporting Blue Economy and Conservation Goals
This collaboration also supports the broader national strategy of the DENR to build a network of marine research stations across the archipelago—part of the country’s long-term response to climate change, marine degradation, and the need for a sustainable blue economy.
With marine biodiversity under increasing pressure, the DREAM-C MSRS stands as a beacon of hope for proactive, research-driven action. It seeks to combine policy, education, and scientific research to not only conserve but also empower communities that rely on marine resources.
A Vision for the Future
By anchoring the project in both government authority and academic excellence, the DREAM-C MSRS initiative promises to be a transformative force for marine science and environmental protection in Region XII.
As the tide rises on environmental challenges, partnerships like these show that the country is not standing still—but moving forward, with a clear vision for the future of its oceans.