MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN

THE FOLLOWING PHILIPPINE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs):

The CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY, a state university of higher learning created by

virtue of Republic Act No. 807, as amended and re-organized and operating by virtue of
Republic Act No. 4498 with principal office at Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines, represented
herein by its University President, DR. ROLITO G. EBALLE, hereinafter referred to as
“CMU”;

The DAVAO DE ORO STATE COLLEGE, state college established by virtue of Republic Act
No. 10598. with the principal office at Compostela, Davao de Oro, Philippines, represented
herein by its University President, DR. CHRISTIE JEAN V. GANIERA, hereinafter referred to
as “DdOSC”;

The DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE, state college established by virtue of Republic
Act No. 7879. with the principal office at Panabo City, Davao Del Norte, Philippines,
represented herein by its University President, DR. JOY M. SORROSA, hereinafter referred
to as “DNSC”;

The DAVAO DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE, state college established by virtue of Republic
Act No. 11220. with the principal office at Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines,
represented herein by its University President, DR. AUGIE E. FUENTES, hereinafter referred
to as “DSSC”;

The DAVAO ORIENTAL STATE UNIVERSITY, state university established by virtue of

Republic Act No. 6807. with the principal office at City of Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines,
represented herein by its University President, DR. ROY G. PONCE, hereinafter referred to
as “DOrSU”;

The SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AGRIBUSINESS AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL

OF TECHNOLOGY, a state university established by virtue of Republic Act No. 11220, with
principal office address at Malita, Davao Occidental, Philippines, Philippines, represented
herein by its University President, DR. LYNETTE A. BONTIA, hereinafter referred to as
“SPAMAST”;

The UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES, a

state university established by virtue of Republic Act No. 10919, with principal office address
at Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, Philippines, Philippines, represented herein by its University
President, DR. AMBROSIO B. CULTURA II, hereinafter referred to as “USTP”;

The UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES, a state university established by

virtue of R.A. 4498, with principal office address at Iñigo St., Obrero, Davao City, Philippines,
represented herein by its University President, DR. BONIFACIO G. GABALES, JR.,
hereinafter referred to as “USeP”;

The WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, a state university established by virtue

of Presidential Decree No. 1427, with principal office address at Baliwasan, Zamboanga City,
Philippines, represented herein by its University President, DR. MA. CARLA A.
OCHOTORENA, hereinafter referred to as “WMSU”;

- and -

The UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LOS BAÑOS, a constituent university of the

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, the National University of the Philippines, created by
virtue of Act. No. 1870, as amended and re-organized and operating by virtue of PD 58 and
RA 9500, with office address at College, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, represented herein
by its Chancellor, DR. JOSE V. CAMACHO, JR., hereinafter referred to as “UPLB”.
The abovementioned Philippine HEIs, herein referred to as “the Participants;”

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Philippines-Canada Network for Sustainability Mindanao

(PCNS-Mindanao) is to implement specific programs of academic, research and
extension cooperation in areas such as information exchange, education exchange and
research collaboration with funding support from various agencies towards the promotion
of economic and environmental sustainability;

WHEREAS, the UPLB, Bukidnon State University (BukSU), Mindanao State

(MSU), Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) and University of Southern
Mindanao (USM) are already members of the PCNS through the signing of MOUs last
21 January 2023 and 27 September 2023.

WHEREAS, it is of mutual interest among UPLB, BukSu, MSU, NBSC and USM
to form a consortium network with CMU, DdOSC, DNSC, DSSC, DOrSU, SPAMAST,
USeP, USTP, and WMSU known as “PCNS-Mindanao” that will collaborate in the
implementation of initiatives on sustainability through collaborative and innovative
research, extension and instruction;

WHEREAS, the PCNS-Mindanao have agreed to partner with International

entities such as, but not limited to, the Embassy of Canada for projects on sustainable
development encompassing programs on food security and sovereignty, one health,
resilience and sustainability, future communities and institutions, social justice and
cultural flourishing, among others;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the above premises, and of the
mutual covenants and stipulations hereinafter set forth, the parties, hereby agree to
establish a Consortium, under the following terms and conditions:

Article I
THE CONSORTIUM

The PCNS-Mindanao Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) hereby agree to

establish a consortium network which shall engage in innovative research collaborations
and academic engagements with universities within the Mindanao, other Philippine HEIs,
and Canada Education Institutions. For all intents and purposes, the Consortium Network
entity established shall be known as “PCNS-Mindanao”.

For communication purposes, all communication/letters shall be addressed at the

Consortium business address at the UP Professional School for Agriculture and the
Environment, Panabo City, Davao Del Norte.

Article II
SCOPE

The PCNS-Mindanao agree to encourage and promote the following activities:

Desiring to strengthen relations between the Philippine higher education institutions;

Recognizing the importance of higher education and professional training in the

national development;

Cognizant of the need to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance in the

provision of higher education and professional training;
 Believing that cooperation would benefit them;

Seeking to establish the Philippine-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS)

focused on economic and environmental sustainability;

Aiming for PCNS to pioneer micro credentialing focused on sustainability in the

Philippines.

Article III
COOPERATION ACTIVITIES

The Participants will explore opportunities to carry out the following cooperation
activities:

1. exchange high-level officials, faculty experts, administration personnel, academic

personnel, and students between their higher education institutions in jointly decided
programs of mutual benefit;

2. encourage cooperation among their institutions through the conclusion of direct

instruments between them within the provisions of this MOU;

3. cooperate in the training, professional development, and capacity building of faculty

experts, administration personnel, and academic personnel of their higher education
institutions;

4. stimulate information-sharing on the academic quality, performance standards,

evaluation of results, methodology development, and student affairs;

5. strengthen information-sharing on the system and structure of higher education,

quality assurance, and higher education institutions and programs;

6. encourage initiatives to explore potential credit transfer instruments;

7. support research collaboration opportunities, and exchange of information, literature,

research findings, and other related publications, subject to their respective national
law, as well as the international instruments on intellectual property applying to them;

8. facilitate cooperation in science and technology, research and innovation through

encouraging reciprocal exchanges between higher education institutions, research
and development institutes, and other entities operating in the field of science and
technology;

9. promote participation in educational congresses, conferences, workshops,

symposiums, training courses, and exhibits;

10. activities specified in the Framework and Roadmap of this network; and

11. other cooperation activities they may jointly decide upon.

Article IV
IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING

The Participants will bear their respective expenses in relation to the implementation
of this MOU.

The Participants understand that their cooperation activities are subject to the
availability of their respective resources.
 The Participants will make their best efforts to facilitate any higher education
cooperation activities carried out under this MOU, and to ensure to protect the safety and
security of visiting participants from the other country (e.g. high-level officials, faculty experts,
administration personnel, academic personnel, and students).

Article V
PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

The Participants will protect intellectual property rights in accordance with the
Philippine national law and with international instruments to which the country is a party.

The Participants will not use the name, logo, and/or official emblem of the other
Participant on any publication, document, and/or paper without the prior written consent of
the other Participant.

The Participants will ensure that education data and information mutually provided and
developed under this MOU, including the results of joint research, are not disclosed to a third
party without the prior written consent of the other Participant.

Article VI
CONFIDENTIALITY

The Participants will protect the confidentiality and secrecy of documents,

information, and other data received from or supplied to the other Participant, exchanged or
generated under this MOU, or any other instruments made under it.

Neither of the participants shall, without the written consent of the others, disclose
any nor all parts of the confidential information acquired by a party to any person, including
any third party or employee of the participants.

Furthermore, all participants undertake to process and handle any personal data that
may be accessed during the existence of this Agreement in compliance with Republic Act
10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012).

The Participants will continue to apply this Paragraph notwithstanding the termination
of this MOU.

Article VII
DIFFERENCE IN THE INTERPRETATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The Participants will resolve any difference in the interpretation or implementation of

this MOU amicably through mutual consultation in good faith. In the event of failure of mutual
consultation, current and existing rules on arbitration shall govern.

Article VIII
STATUS

Nothing in this MOU may be interpreted as creating a joint venture, partnership

or formal business organization of any kind between the Participants or to constitute
either Participants as the agent of the other.

The Participants, while working jointly for the implementation of the project shall
maintain their independence and distinct authorities in accordance with their respective
mandates. Nothing shall diminish the full autonomy of either institution, nor constraint be
imposed by either upon the other in carrying out the agreement.
 Article IX
FINAL DISPOSITIONS

This MOU shall take effect on the date when the MOU has been duly signed by all
the Participants and will remain valid for a period of five (5) years, subject to renewal upon
mutual agreement of all the Participants.

Either of the Participants may terminate this MOU by giving a six (6) months written
notice to the other Participants.

The Participants understand that termination of this MOU will not affect the on-going
programs/activities of cooperation being carried out.

The Participants may amend this MOU upon their mutual written consent.

Article X
WARRANTY

That the Agreement is executed on behalf of a valid legal entity which has the full
right and authority to undertake or forbear any action contemplated by this Agreement. The
signatories herein each represent and warrant to the other that he or she is competent and
authorized to enter into the Agreement.

Signed in duplicate at the Professional School of Agriculture and the Environment,

Panabo City, Davao del Norte on 12 April 2024 in the English language.

FOR CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY (CMU):

Witnessed by:

___________________________ ___________________________
DR. ROLITO G. EBALLE DR. ALAN P. DARGANTES
University President Vice President for Research, Development &
Extension
Date: Date:

FOR DAVAO DE ORO STATE COLLEGE (DdOSC):

Witnessed by:

___________________________ ___________________________
DR. CHRISTIE JEAN V.GANIERA MR. JESON N. GEROCHE
College President Director, Research and Development
Date: Date:
FOR DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE (DNSC):

Witnessed by:

___________________________
DR. JOY M. SORROSA
College President
Date:
___________________________
DR. ELISEO F. HUESCA, JR.
Vice President for Research, Extension &
Production
Date:

FOR DAVAO DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE (DSSC):

Witnessed by:

___________________________ ___________________________
DR. AUGIE E. FUENTES DR. MARK JUDE F. TRONDILLO
College President Director for Research Development
Date: Date:

FOR DAVAO ORIENTAL STATE UNIVERSITY (DOrSU):

Witnessed by:

___________________________
DR. ROY G. PONCE
University President
Date:
___________________________
DR. MISAEL B. CLAPANO
Vice President for Research, Innovation &
Extension
Date:

FOR SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AGRI-BUSINESS AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL

OF TECHNOLOGY (SPAMAST):

Witnessed by:

___________________________ ___________________________
DR. LYNETTE A. BONTIA DR. GRACE D. BUENCILLO
University President Director, Research
Date: Date:
FOR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES
(USTP):

Witnessed by:

___________________________ ___________________________
DR. AMBROSIO B. CULTURA II DR. CONSORCIO S. NAMOCO, JR.
University System President OIC-Vice President for Research and Innovation
Date: Date:

FOR UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES (USeP):

Witnessed by:

___________________________
DR. BONIFACIO G. GABALES JR.
University President
Date:
___________________________
DR. ROGER C. MONTEPIO
Vice President for Research, Development &
Extension
Date:

FOR WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY (WMSU):

Witnessed by:

___________________________
DR. MA. CARLA A. OCHOTORENA
University President
Date:
___________________________
DR. JOEL G. FERNANDO
Vice President for Research Extension Services
& External Linkages
Date:

FOR UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LOS BAÑOS (UPLB)

Witnessed by:

_____________________________ __________________________
Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr. Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan
Chancellor Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension
Date: Date: