The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) College of Development Management (CDM) and the 11th Regional Community Defense Group (11RCDG) of the Philippine Army solidified their commitment to strengthening regional peace and security through a three-part event held on November 25, 2025, at the CDM Gymnasium in the USeP Mintal Campus, Davao City. The day commenced with the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA), formalizing a three-year project collaboration between the two institutions. COL REANDREW P. RUBIO INF (GSC) PA, Director of the 1105th Community Defense Center, 11RCDG, RESCOM, PA, acknowledged the guests and participants, followed by a presentation of obligations from both parties by the Program Leader Ms. Richelle C. Pacoy. Dr. Roger C. Montepio, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, spoke on behalf of Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales Jr., SUC President IV of USeP, together with COL CALIXTO D. CADANO JR., Group Commander of 11RCDG, RESCOM, PA, as they delivered messages underscoring the significance of academe-military collaboration. COL ROMEO N. BAUTISTA III, Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, also gave a congratulatory message, followed by the awarding of certificates and tokens, as well as the presentation of awards for the RAATI 2025 performance.

The second segment featured a comprehensive briefing on the Security Innovation and Knowledge Laboratory for Reserve Force Development (SIKLab) initiative. Dr. Rec E. Eguia presented the “Future-Ready Reservists 2040: Strategic Foresight for Reserve Force Development in the Davao Region” project, which aims to develop a strategic foresight framework that anticipates emerging security challenges while leveraging demographic and technological opportunities. The project covers futures literacy and anticipatory governance on security, mapping of 21st-century security skills and competencies, and collaborative foresight exercises for Davao regional security. Ms. Pacoy also introduced the composition of the SIKLab Team.

The final session transitioned into a Resource Mobilization Strategy Workshop themed “Mobilizing Partnerships, Resources, and Innovation for a Future-Ready Reserve Force.” Participants engaged in working sessions covering resource needs and budgeting matrices, funding source mapping and partnership models, and proposal pitching drafts, culminating in draft commitments and action points for multi-sector collaboration.

The USeP-11RCDG collaboration positions the university as a critical engine of national security innovation, serving as a generator of knowledge, a catalyst of innovation ecosystems, and a platform for cross-sector collaboration. Under the agreement, 11RCDG commits to engaging with USeP’s programs for security-related trainings, inviting faculty as resource persons, facilitating Reserve Force enlistment among USeP personnel, and providing logistical support, while USeP will organize lectures and seminars for Army personnel and reservists and support advocacy initiatives for the Reserve Force and ROTC Program in the Davao Region. The SIKLab project further envisions building a Regional Security Innovation Corridor that will include scoping studies on 21st-century security skills, an outcome-based education framework for reserve force development, and, eventually, a Davao Regional Security Innovation Hub and Roadmap aligned with the AFP Modernization Roadmap and Ambisyon Natin 2040.

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