February 5, 2026— The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), together with other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Bicol Region, formally sealed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on February 5, 2026, marking the official launch of Project RISER (Research Initiative and Sustainable Extension for Rural Development).
The MOA signing underscored the shared commitment of DBM and the Bicol SUC Consortium to harness innovative research and development (R&D) as a driver of social transformation and economic growth, aligned with environmental protection and sustainable development goals in the region. The agreement was led by DBM Regional Director Francis C. Bautista and Acting Assistant Regional Director February E. Manuel, under the supervision of DBM Region V.
Representing DEBESMSCAT were SUC President Dr. Arnel B. Milliesca, along with Project RISER leaders Engr. Genesis Tumbaga, Nestor John Villamor, Engr. Marco Angelo Dejucos, and Dr. Mark Anthony Abella. The institution plays a key role in the consortium, contributing its pool of scientists, researchers, and technical experts across multidisciplinary fields.Project RISER, the first of its kind in the Bicol Region, aims to deploy matured research and development technologies from DEBESMSCAT and partner SUCs to local communities, organizations, and local government units (LGUs). The initiative seeks to strengthen the utilization and commercialization of research outputs to support rural development and enhance regional self-reliance in research and technology management.Under the agreement, the consortium is mandated to promote innovative R&D for inclusive and sustainable development, facilitate joint planning and resource sharing, and implement collaborative interventions covering strategic R&D, research dissemination and utilization, capacity building, policy advocacy, and R&D governance and management. It also provides a platform for closer collaboration with national and regional government agencies to maximize the impact of research results.
The MOA serves as the mother agreement of the Bicol SUC Consortium, paving the way for future implementing agreements, by-laws, and related legal instruments to further advance the common objectives of Project RISER and strengthen the region’s research and development ecosystem.
#SDG4qualityeducation #SDG9industryinovationandinfrastructure #SDG11sustainablecitiesandcommunities #SDG17parthershipsforthegoals #DEBESMSCAT #TogetherEveryoneAchievesMore #WhereTransformationBegins
Ladies and gentlemen,
