ISUFST, CAMELEON Sign MOU on Child Protection, Empowerment

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SAN ENRIQUE, Iloilo – In a historic partnership, the CAMELEON Association, Inc., a globally supported nonprofit advocating for child protection and empowerment, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Faculty Conference Room of the College of Agriculture, ISUFST San Enrique Campus.

This marks CAMELEON’s first formal partnership with a higher education institution in its 28-year history.

CAMELEON Executive Director Cornelia Udani welcomed the milestone agreement and shared the association’s hopes for deeper collaboration in serving scholars and partner communities.

“We wholeheartedly welcome this partnership,” Udani said.

“It gives us hope for more meaningful projects and programs for our scholars and partner communities, and we are proud to take this step with ISUFST.”

The MOU opens doors to collaborations in child protection, gender and development, education, health, research and inclusive community engagement programs.

At the core of the partnership is a shared mission to uplift marginalized groups, especially young girls and survivors of abuse.

University President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. said the agreement reflects ISUFST’s broader mandate to live out social justice through service and education.

“We are a public university not just to teach but to serve—to empower lives, not just minds,” Siason said.

“This partnership ensures that no one, especially those who need the most care, is ever left behind.”

He added that social justice should not remain only in mission statements but must be evident in classrooms, programs and the inclusive treatment of every student.

Dr. Siason directed San Enrique Campus Administrator Dr. Rex Diaz to ensure that the 40 enrolled CAMELEON scholars are fully supported both academically and personally.

“We must make them feel seen, heard and cared for,” he said.

“Let them know they belong—not just as students, but as part of our ISUFST family.”

Key ISUFST offices—including Public Affairs, Marketing and Media Communications; International Affairs and Linkages; Extension Services and Development; Research and Development; and Gender and Development—attended the ceremonial signing and expressed full support for the agreement’s multi-sectoral goals.

From CAMELEON, Program Director Jomer Adolacion, Advocacy Program Associate Antoinette Acupinpin and Officer Vivian Bravo also witnessed the event.

They highlighted the opportunity to combine academic support with CAMELEON’s psychosocial, legal and livelihood services.

The five-year MOU outlines joint efforts in research, community extension, capability building, training and advocacy campaigns grounded in mutual respect, shared expertise and a commitment to transformative education.

The agreement also advances ISUFST’s vision of becoming a globally connected university committed to inclusive, responsive and meaningful partnerships with civil society groups. (Jan Laurence Galon and Herman Lagon / PAMMCO)