Rene Estremera | February 24, 2026
University President Angelo A. Jimenez led the Inauguration of Research Facilities and Infrastructure on the occasion of UP Mindanao’s 31st Anniversary celebration in ceremonies held at the Center for the Advancement of Research in Mindanao (CARIM) Building on February 20, 2026.
The various facilities and infrastructure were shown through audio-visual presentations, introduced by the project leaders, and formally opened on-site. These included the CARIM building facilities, the Agri-Aqua Value Chain (AAVC) Lab, the Disease Watch and Analytics (DiWA) Center, and other research programs and projects.
“Whenever I return to UP Mindanao, it is very gratifying for me to see improvements in physical features,” said President Jimenez. “I have three more years, and I’m just getting started. More will come,” he said.
Prof. Larry Digal, AAVC Program Leader, presented the AAVC Lab’s mission, vision, roadmap, and personnel. Prof. May Ann Mata, DiWA Center Director, for her part, introduced the DiWA Center and its units.
Messages of support for AAVC Lab were given by Dr. Melvin B. Carlos and Dr. Juanito Batalon, DOST-PCAARRD deputy executive directors for administration and R&D, respectively.
Messages for the DiWA Center were given by former DOH-XI Regional Director Annabelle P. Yumang, DOST-XI’s Dr. Nathan Ray A. Alim, Davao City 3rd District Councilor Dr. Trisha Ann Jasmin Villafuerte, who delivered the message of City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and UP Intelligent Systems Center Executive Director Dr. Diego Maranan.
UP Vice President for Digital Transformation Peter Sy, VP for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr., and the AAVC and DiWA project partners were among the witnesses to the Inauguration.
The partners toured the various facilities and infrastructure. President Jimenez, UP, and DOST officials proceeded to the Ribbon Cutting and Marker Unveiling of the AAVC Lab, followed by a facility tour.
The party also inspected the UP Intelligent Systems Center’s Data Commons located in CARIM.
At the DiWA Center, UP and DiWA’s health sector partners joined the ribbon-cutting and Center tour. The guests, partners, and personnel indulged in fellowship and networking at the venue.
“We were planting seeds back then with small projects,” said Chancellor Murao in her closing message. “And now, fortunately, we have seen those seeds have borne fruit,” she said.
