UP Mindanao to propose P12B budget for manpower, program expansion
DAVAO CITY — The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Min) is putting forward several proposals under its five-year development that would need a funding of about P12 billion.
UP Min Chancellor Larry N. Digal said among the proposals is an increase in faculty members and personnel, establishment of a College of Human Kinetics, Mindanao Studies Program Center, a cultural center highlighting Mindanao’s indigenous people, and introduction of programs from other UP campuses.
“Part of our plan is really to make sure… our role as a hub of UP programs to address gaps in Mindanao will be strengthened,” Mr. Digal said during this week’s Habi at Kape Forum.
The proposals will be presented this week to the national government, he said, and during a gathering of about 300 UP system alumni on Nov. 22-23 in Davao City.
Mr. Digal said the biggest component of the budget would go to human resources, noting that UP-Min only has 96 faculty members or about 2% of the 4,700 total within the UP system. He said they are eyeing an increase to 220 teachers.
The planned College of Human Kinetics will be part of the Mindanao Sports Development Program, which will also have non-degree sports training activities in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
UP Min has the recently-built 20-hectare sports complex within its 204-hectare campus. The cultural center, which will be tied to a botanical garden, is envisioned to be in partnership with the Department of Tourism.
“We are offering our site to house the cultural center,” said Mr. Digal.
The Mindanao Studies Program Center, meanwhile, will include a museum, research center, and a science and technology park. UP Min aims to partner for this with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Sebastian L. Angliongto, chair of the UP Mindanao Foundation Inc. composed of UP alumni, said their group is also going to lobby for the proposals before members of Congress. “We also want MinDA (Mindanao Development Authority) to push for these,” said Mr. Angliongto, former chair of the Mindanao Development Council, the forerunner of MinDA. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
