Through partnership and collaboration, organizations are able to benefit from broader perspectives and expertise that are brought to the table. Dr  Aldrin Darilag, as  SEAMEO BIOTROP’s Governing Board Members from the Philippines, realizes the notion and initiates a meeting between SEAMEO BIOTROP and Davao-Based State Universities and Colleges.

In his opening speech, Dr  Aldrin Darilag as the Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, who is also SEAMEO BIOTROP Governing Board Member from the Philippines, shared several objectives of this meeting, i.e., 1) the implementation on partnership and collaboration  on research and development of academic excellence; 2) extension to SEAMEO BIOTROP’s services in the Philippines; 3) seamless exchange of human resources and scientific technology in fostering agriculture biodiversity, and bioenergy in biodiversity; 4) visibility programs, activities, and project in the Philippines, in which Davao as the important instrument, not only in the Southeast Asia but also in the international communities; and 5) the establishment of SEAMEO BIOTROP’s satellite center in the Philippines to intensify the joint programs and projects.

“We hope to improve the collaboration between SPAMAST and SEAMEO BIOTROP to increase the visibility of SEAMEO BIOTROP and the colleges in the regional level, especially in the fields of food processing, halal products, and fisheries product” stated Dr  Ruth A. Suguitan-Lucero, the College President of the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST).

Dr Augie E. Fuentes, the College President of Davao del Sur State College presented the framework and concept for the project of Co-creation on Conservation of Davao's Bio-Cultural Diversity (CoCoDaBD) in the Philippines. This project aims to conserve the bio-cultural diversity in the slopes of Mount Apo, Davao del Sur and the Mountain Ranges of Datu Danwata, Davao Occidental including its coastal areas as important sources of livelihood and heritage.

As the follow up of this meeting Dr Zulhamsyah Imran, the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, suggested the needs for establishing legal documents such as Memoranda of Understanding between institutions and the formation of task force for the realization of this project.