Mindanao State University – General Santos, through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), launched the Center for Biodiversity Studies in SOCSKSARGEN (CBSS) and named the newly designated VCRE, Dr. Jaime A. Namocatcat.

Dr. Edna P. Guevarra, outgoing VCRE, proposed the CBSS in 2018 with the support of the Department of Budget and Management through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region XII. The second center, built under her legacy, aims to provide an avenue for state-of-the-art research to investigate various critical issues concerning SOCSKSARGEN’s indigenous flora and fauna, and ecosystems.

The establishment will pave the way for identifying and protecting critically-endangered plant and animal species and conserving terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, especially those that thrive in the Mount Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL), Allah Valley Protected Landscape (AVPL), and the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS).

Aside from announcing the new VCRE, Acting Chancellor JD Usman D. Aragasi, MPA, also named the new Research Director, Dr. Christine Dawn G. Obemio, and the new Extension Director, Dr. Jay D. Buscano, during the event.

The ceremony was graced with the presence of honored guests – NEDA Region XII Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, MMPL Protected Area Superintendent Efren C. Hibaler, SBPS Protected Area Superintendent Joy C. Ologuin, AVPL Assistant Protected Area Superintendent Lei Ann M. Acuña, DENR XII Representative Dr. Cesar A. Guevarra, and Acting Provincial Director of DOST in Sarangani Province and General Santos City Forester Nabil A. Hadji Yassin.