In line with strengthening initiatives in socioeconomics research in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and SOCCSKSARGEN regions in the country, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) supports the immediate implementation of the project, “SERDAC 2.0: Enhancing the Operational Capacity of the Satellite Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Center at the University of Southern Mindanao (Satellite SERDAC in USM).”
The project, which is being monitored by the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) of DOST-PCAARRD, builds on the satellite center’s development phase, “Satellite SERDAC: Establishment of Socio-Economic and Data Analytics Center (SERDAC) Satellite at the University of Southern Mindanao to Strengthen Capacity in Socio-Economic Research and Analytics in the Region,” which concluded in 2025. The said project capacitated 644 participants during its 11 training and 4 seminars, produced three training modules, developed the satellite center’s website, forged five partnerships with government organizations and higher education institutions (HEIs), and established a facility serving students and researchers, and other key accomplishments.
Building on these gains, Satellite SERDAC in USM 2.0 aims to enhance the center’s operational capacity through infrastructure upgrades, acquisition of advanced research software, and the operationalization of a comprehensive data repository. It will also facilitate regional capacity-building activities in the SOCCSKSARGEN and BARMM regions.
The project was formally launched through an inception meeting on May 28, 2026, attended by representatives from DOST-PCAARRD and USM, and members of the Socio-Economics Research and Data Analytics Network (SERDAN). The meeting focused on implementation strategies, with Project Leader Dr. Romiel John Basan presenting the project’s plans and targets based on the approved workplan.
A key priority is the enhancement of the data repository by engaging local government units (LGUs) and the provincial government in co-creating a regional-specific repository that can support data-backed decision-making. Discussions during the meeting also focused on optimizing partnerships, refining equipment specifications, and identifying strategies to ensure the project’s sustainability.
Through Satellite SERDAC in USM 2.0, DOST-PCAARRD continues to strengthen Council’s advocacy towards a data-driven research ecosystem in the AANR sector. By supporting the center beyond its initial development phase, the Council aims to build a more capable, sustainable, and data-driven platform for research, planning, and decision-making in the region.