UP signs MOA to aid Dinagat Islands governance, establish new state college

The University of the Philippines (UP) and the provincial government of Dinagat Islands signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on July 29 to advance local education, governance, and development goals.

UP President Angelo Jimenez and Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. formalized the agreement in Manila.

The signing follows an initial exploratory meeting held at UP Diliman last May 7, where provincial officials first sought academic assistance from the university.

Under the partnership, UP will act as an academic consultant, institutional adviser, and strategic partner for the province.

The university will facilitate talks with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and deploy experts to map out organizational structures for local initiatives.

A primary focus of the partnership is establishing the Dinagat Islands State College (DISC), which was enacted under Republic Act No. 12299 in September 2025.

Section 3 of RA 12299 mandates DISC to offer undergraduate and graduate programs tailored to the human resource needs of Dinagat Islands and the Caraga Administrative Region.

UP will guide DISC’s academic development by reviewing curricula across mandated fields, including fisheries, agriculture, environmental science, engineering, marine sciences, and technology.

The national university will also provide technical advisory, capacity-building workshops, and joint research initiatives to support broader provincial development.

These joint initiatives will cover public administration, health, digital transformation, renewable energy, and local economic growth.

The provincial government of Dinagat Islands will provide policy support and handle administrative logistics among local government units, agencies, and stakeholders.

Demerey highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration in a message sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.

“The signing of this MOA with UP is a landmark step toward strengthening the future of the Dinagat Islands,” he said.

He noted that the agreement grants the province access to evidence-based research and policy studies to enhance local public services.

“It will also provide vital academic and technical support as we prepare for the establishment of the DISC, ensuring that our youth and professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead our province into a progressive future,” he added.