11/05/2026
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ฆ: ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ง ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ผ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐
On April 27 to May 4, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology SOCCSKSARGEN through the direction of Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan and under the guidance of the DOST Office of the Undersecretary for Regional Operations and in close coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), conducted a Camp Visitation, Monitoring, and Comprehensive Assessment across identified priority communities in Mindanao under the implementation of the ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐๐ : ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ป๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ณ๐๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐.
The undertaking forms part of the governmentโs continuing commitment to the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), particularly on the transformation of former conflict-affected communities into empowered, self-sustaining, and development-ready areas through responsive and inclusive interventions.
The implementation of the Science for Peace Program is likewise anchored on the framework of DOSTโs flagship program, the Community Empowerment thru Science & Technology (CEST). Through its integrated approach, the program delivers science, technology, and innovation interventions across key sectors such as livelihood generation, health and nutrition, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, water and sanitation, and human resource development.
In the week-long activity, DOST SOCCSKSARGENโs Project Management Team (PMT) visited the following acknowledged camps, particularly; Camp Bader in Brgy. Datalpandan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur, Camp Abubakar in Brgy. Sapad, Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, Camp Omar in Brgy. Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, Camp Rajahmuda in Brgy. Daladagan, Mangudadatu, Maguindanao del Sur, Camp Bushra in Brgy. Sandab Madaya, Butig, Lanao del Sur and Camp Bilal in
Brgy. Biruar, Tangcal, Lanao del Norte.
The field activity was carried out in close coordination with the respective Local Government Units (LGUs), the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT), local peace mechanisms, community leaders, and beneficiary groups to ensure that the assessment process remained participatory, culturally sensitive, and grounded on the actual conditions of the communities.
More than a routine inspection, the activity served as a strategic groundwork for identifying science and technology interventions that are responsive to the needs, capacities, and aspirations of the people. Through direct community immersion and on-site validation, the PMT assessed the viability and readiness of each area for possible deployment of livelihood, agricultural, infrastructure, digital, and enterprise-based technologies intended to improve productivity and strengthen local economies.
The assessment covered key areas such as infrastructure and utilities, agricultural and livelihood potentials, enterprise readiness, technology utilization, and solar installation viability. Potential interventions on food processing, Halal goat and ZamPen Native Chicken production, crop and aquaculture systems, STARBOOKS, dressmaking, handloom weaving, and other community-based technologies were likewise evaluated for possible enhancement and expansion.
The monitoring activity also enabled the PMT to validate existing interventions, identify operational and technical gaps, and determine the necessary support mechanisms to strengthen implementation. Consultations with beneficiaries and local stakeholders further provided valuable insights on community conditions, livelihood challenges, and development priorities.
In communities where years of conflict once limited opportunities and access to services, the Science for Peace Program continues to serve as a concrete platform for inclusive and peace-responsive development. Through the program, DOST reinforces its commitment to bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to historically underserved communities โ transforming technology into a bridge toward resilience, productivity, and lasting peace.
Moving forward, DOST SOCCSKSARGEN remains steadfast in strengthening partnerships with OPAPRU, local government units, and peacebuilding stakeholders to sustain interventions that are community-centered, culturally responsive, and anchored on long-term development outcomes. Through continued convergence and meaningful engagement, the agency reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of peace, progress, and sustainable development in Mindanao.
DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
OPAPRU
DOST XII - Cotabato Provincial Office
DOST XII - Sultan Kudarat Provincial Office
DOST XII - South Cotabato Provincial Office
DOST XII -Sarangani Province and General Santos City Office