Iloilo City, San Agustin forge project partnership

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City government and the University of San Agustin signed a three-year memorandum of understanding Aug. 26 covering programs and projects aimed at benefiting target communities.

Under the agreement, the city government and the university may collaborate on community outreach and extension programs, social advocacy campaigns, volunteer mobilization and engagement, community-based research, and service-learning initiatives.

The partnership may also cover leadership development and capacity-building, environmental sustainability projects, health and wellness programs, livelihood and economic empowerment initiatives, and disaster preparedness, response, and rehabilitation.

Other areas include educational and training activities, cultural preservation and heritage initiatives, monitoring and evaluation of community development programs, and other mutually agreed programs consistent with their respective objectives.

Specific programs and projects pursued under the partnership will be covered by separate mutual agreements.

The University of San Agustin will provide human resources as well as technical and academic support, while the city government will facilitate access to beneficiaries and partner communities and provide coordination support.

The agreement was signed by Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu and University of San Agustin President Fr. Arnel Dizon, OSA.

The city government said it plans to collaborate with the university on disaster preparedness, including the production of child-centered educational materials, expanded volunteer training, and joint preparedness activities.

The partnership builds on previous disaster resilience initiatives between the city and the university, including the development of educational materials for young learners and the participation of university volunteers in local disaster preparedness activities.

In July, the city government and the university launched the Climate and Disaster Resilience Activity Materials Advocacy, or C-DRAMA, project, which promotes climate and disaster preparedness among young learners through simplified educational materials.

“Mayor Treñas described the partnership as timely, citing joint initiatives during National Disaster Resilience Month such as the city’s first disaster risk reduction (DRR) alphabet for early childhood learners, and the Kabalaka Expo and Camp, where student volunteers from the university served as facilitators. The city mayor also announced plans to expand the expo into a regional event next year,” the city government’s post read.