CFCST Research Extension and Resource Generation

𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐖 𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐀𝐍 | Noong 1898, iwinagayway ang watawat bilang sagisag ng kalayaan. Mahigit isang siglo na ang lumipas, at muli natin itong itinataas bilang pagpupugay sa tapang, sakripisyo, at pagmamahal sa bayan ng mga Pilipinong lumaban para sa ating kasarinlan.

Ngunit sa bawat pagaspas ng watawat, tila may mga tanong ding humahampas sa ating kamalayan.

Malaya ba ang isang mamamayang takot magsalita?

Malaya ba ang isang manggagawang sapat lamang ang kinikita upang mabuhay sa araw na ito ngunit hindi para sa bukas?

Malaya ba ang isang kabataang puno ng pangarap ngunit kapos sa oportunidad?

Malaya na tayo sa mga mananakop, ngunit malaya na ba tayo sa gutom, katiwalian, disimpormasyon, at mga sistemang patuloy na humahadlang sa pag-unlad ng marami?

Ang Araw ng Kalayaan ay hindi lamang pag-alala sa nakaraan. Isa rin itong paanyaya upang suriin ang ating kasalukuyan at pag-isipan ang kinabukasan ng bansang ipinaglaban ng ating mga bayani. Sapagkat ang tunay na kalayaan ay hindi lamang nakikita sa mga watawat na iwinawagayway o sa mga talumpating ating pinakikinggan. Ito ay nasusukat sa dignidad ng bawat mamamayan, sa pagkakataong maabot ang mga pangarap, at sa kakayahang mamuhay nang may katarungan, seguridad, at pag-asa.

Habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang ating kasarinlan, huwag nating kalimutang magnilay. Sapagkat higit sa tanong na "Malaya ba tayo noon?", marahil ang mas mahalagang tanong ngayon ay:

𝑻𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒈𝒂 𝒃𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒂?

Nakikiisa ang Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan at sa patuloy na pagsusulong ng mga adhikaing magbibigay-kasagutan sa mahalagang tanong na ito.

𝑪𝑭𝑪𝑺𝑻 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑳𝑮𝑼𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒏 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

In a major move to bridge the gap between academic research and community needs, the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) convened a high-level strategic consultation and research planning forum on May 4, 2025 at the Quality Assurance Accreditation Room, CFCST.

The meeting, organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Resource Generation, convened representatives from the Local Governments of Antipas, Arakan, Matalam, President Roxas, and Magpet. The participating offices from these municipalities included the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR), and Indigenous Peoples Structures (IPS), alongside academic heads and research coordinators from CFCST.

The forum aimed to 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙣 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮. Participants engaged in discussions focused on aligning research priorities, extension programs, and development initiatives with the actual needs and aspirations of local communities.

Among the key objectives highlighted during the consultation were the identification of priority research areas, enhancement of institutional partnerships, and the development of inclusive, community-based projects anchored on sustainable development principles. The activity also served as a platform to lay the groundwork for future collaborative projects that aim to improve livelihoods, strengthen environmental management, and promote inclusive growth in upland areas.

Local officials present expressed support for the initiative, recognizing the role of evidence-based planning and strong academic partnerships in advancing local development. The forum concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to sustain dialogue and cooperation in pursuit of a unified development vision for the Arakan Valley.