The 9th Mindanao Policy Research Forum Speakers, Presenters, and Discussants
Xavier Ateneo, through the Social Development Office, partnered with the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) for the 9th Mindanao Policy Research Forum (MPRF).
This year’s forum carried the theme, “Going Green and Digital for Mindanao’s Sustainable and Inclusive Future”, featuring research from scholars, policymakers, and stakeholders from Mindanao on the twin transition, highlighting regional perspectives and actionable recommendations. The MPRF was one of the highlights of the 21st Development Policy Research Month with a congruent theme, “Going Green and Digital for a More Sustainable, Inclusive, and Prosperous Future for All”.
Fr Mars Tan SJ, Xavier University President, welcomes the participants to the 9th Mindanao Policy Research Forum
In his opening message, Fr Mars P Tan SJ, University President, congratulated the organizers for highlighting the twin transition as the central theme for the forum. Fr Mars emphasized that Xavier University stands with the rest of the stakeholders in going green and digital for Mindanao’s bright future. He added that the university is enrolled as a Laudato Si University and has committed to a 7-year journey to protect the earth and dignify humanity, based on Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical with the same title. He shared that “Xavier University believes that going green is a key to a sustainable and inclusive future, but environmental issues have to be taken always as closely interconnected with social, economic, political and cultural components of the society.”
Highlighting the topic of digitalization, Fr Mars shared how the university has integrated digital platforms into its teaching and learning, which became instrumental in sustaining its academic programs during the 2-year pandemic. The university is also committed to advancing digital technology by upgrading its infrastructure and innovating IT-related academic programs. Fr Mars emphasized that “alongside going digital is the necessity on value formation to properly guide and leverage the use of digital tools to better serve humanity and society”
Dr Anacieto C Orbeta Jr, PIDS President, shared in his opening remarks the MPRF is one of the key activities of the DPRM. The forum’s primary goal is to exchange insights, challenges, opportunities, and best practices in environmental and digital transformation. Dr Orbeta also expressed his gratitude to all presenters and discussants who have extended their time and valuable knowledge on the theme, “We are fortunate to witness the rise of Mindanao and fulfill its vision of a land characterized by pluralism, lower poverty incidence, culture of peace, vast abundance of resources that together drive a steady economics growth, research and development, stronger citizenry and responsive governance.”, He said.
The forum featured three researchers, namely, Dr Francis Mark A Quimba, PASCN Project Director, Mr Keith Detros, Tech for Good Institute’s Program Manager, and Dr Rogelio C Golez Jr, MindaCELLs Project Leader.
Dr Quimba presented his paper entitled, "Green and Digital: Managing the Twin Transition towards Sustainable Development"
Dr Quimba presented his research titled “Green and Digital: Managing the twin transition towards sustainable development”. In his presentation, Dr Quimba defined dual transformation and its effects in various areas, such as local industries, work, trade, and investment. An important part of his presentation is on the discussion of the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in dual transformation, where he explained that “AI may have a transformational impact by helping countries unlock the power of innovation and zeroing in on the domestic economy, investing in AI benefits companies in a number of ways; increase speed of production, reduction of costs, improving the understanding of complex processes, transforming engagements and fortifying trust.”
Mr Detros delivered his presentation entitled, "Role of MSMEs and Digital Companies in the Twin Transition"
On the other hand, Mr Detros’ research is entitled “Role of MSMEs & Digital Economy Companies in the Twin Transition”. He showed that MSMEs contribute greatly to employment and GDP in the ASEAN region, and in the Philippines and Mindanao, more than 99% of businesses are MSMEs. He emphasized that “no one should be left between this green transition and digital transition, and there are still challenges in the Philippines as digital access is still uneven. Segments of the population face challenges adopting digital technologies [there are] digital gaps, and sustainability remains to be an important consideration.”
Dr Golez shares the Mindanao Clean Energy Living Laboraties (MindaCELLs) project
Dr Golez, Project Leader of the Mindanao Clean Energy Living Laboratories (MindaCELLs) Project, presented the goals and components of the MindaCELLs project. He also presented the research they conducted with his team entitled, “Biomass Energy Potential of Mindanao” where they utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) in mapping out renewable energy sources, particularly biomass. This study showed the significance of incorporating digital tools, particularly the use of GIS maps, in assessing renewable energy sources that could aid in the development of policies that can help advance a greener economy for the region and the country.
The research presentation was followed by reactions from Hon Cheeno Miguel D Almario, the Representative from the Second District of Davao Oriental and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Information and Communication Technology of the House of Representatives, Dr Roy G Ponce, University President of Davao Oriental State University, and Mr Joselino P Galicia, Director of Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association.”
Hon Almario shared that educational training can be done to support these transformations, which includes integrating green competencies in the educational curricula and promoting digital literacy. He added that support for MSMEs is also important by providing easier access to finance digital and green initiatives, while in the area of governance, real-time data can be used in developing policies and interventions in key development areas. Hon Almario wrapped up his points by saying that “the path is very very clear and the twin transitions of digitalization and of sustainability are not just trends, they are imperatives. And as legislators, we fully support and are working in bringing this closer to reality, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for all Filipinos.”
Dr Ponce posed the question of how educational institutions can catch up and aim toward the direction of digitalization and sustainability. He emphasized the need for the academe to develop its research infrastructure to support these directions and developments. He added that in the aspect of digitalization, progress in this area is possible because of the support and investment it is getting; however, in the aspect of sustainability, it needs further boost and support as there is an observed growth stagnation in the ecological worldview. He shared that, “in the twin transition, the digital transition could move fast because there are incentives and industries backing up and there are some green technologies, but we need to balance the development on how we take care of our environment, particularly biodiversity and how we take care of our agriculture going to green agriculture”.
Mr Galicia encouraged members of PCTA to transition to digitalization, especially fiberoptic technologies, particularly in underserved areas. He shared that in Tawi-Tawi, where he resides, they are experiencing difficult internet access and that they want to experience fast and cheap internet, “gusto namo malipay pud ang uban nga mga syudad nga maka-barato ug kusog nga internet.”, He said.
(Lower L-R) Discussants of the 9th MBRF, Hon Cheeno Miguel D Almario, Mr Joselino P Galicia, and Dr Roy G Ponce
A closing message was given by Ms Janet M Lopoz PhD, Executive Director of MinDA who shared that, “communicating these rather technical concepts and policy notes into a way that ordinary Mindanaoans can relate to and can find meaningful engagements para ma localized yung action, hindi lang siya sa level ng policy, nasa level ng plans, nagiging mas efficient siya kung ang tao mismo nakakaintindi ng pinaguusapan at naiintegrate in the local level.”
Mr Jhon Louie B Sabal, Chairperson of the Xavier University Economics Department, and Dr Jerelyn B. Medalla, Coordinator for the XU College of Agriculture – Agribusiness Department, served as the forum host and moderator. The 9th Mindanao Policy Research forum can be streamed through the official Facebook page of the XU-Social Development Office: https://www.facebook.com/XUSocialDevelopment