VSU, LGU Dalaguete in Cebu sign MOU on agriculture, education initiatives

Visayas State University (VSU) and the Municipal Government of Dalaguete, Cebu formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 26, 2026, in Dalaguete, Cebu.

The MOU, signed by VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes and Municipal Mayor Hon. Nelin B. Tambis, centers on extending VSU’s expertise to support Dalaguete’s agriculture-based programs and local development initiatives.

At the heart of the MOU is the provision of technical assistance in agriculture and related fields. VSU will assist the municipality through advisory services, technical evaluations, and field-based activities such as site inspections and feasibility assessments.

The partnership also includes the conduct of training programs and other capacity-building activities intended for farmers, local stakeholders, and community members. These initiatives are expected to strengthen local capabilities in farm management, production, and related enterprise development.

In addition, both parties agreed to work together on research and extension activities that respond to the needs of the municipality. These may include studies, pilot initiatives, and other interventions that can be translated into practical applications at the community level.

On the Ground: Visit to Barangay Mantalongon

Dalaguete is widely known as the vegetable basket of Cebu, with Barangay Mantalongon serving as a key production and trading area for highland vegetables. 

During the visit, the LGU brought the VSU team to Mantalongon to observe firsthand the local vegetable market, including how produce is handled, traded, and transported.

The visit provided a closer look at existing practices as well as recurring challenges faced by farmers and traders, from post-harvest handling to market access and price fluctuations. These observations are expected to guide VSU’s technical inputs and extension activities under the partnership, allowing interventions to be more responsive to actual conditions on the ground.

Mayor Tambis expressed her appreciation for the partnership and disclosed that the municipality is also looking at the possibility of hosting a future VSU campus in Dalaguete. If realized, this would be the first VSU campus established outside Leyte and Region VIII.

“Our work as a university does not end within our campus. Through this partnership, we are bringing our extension, research, and technical expertise closer to communities, where these can be applied and refined based on actual needs,” Dr. Yepes remarked. 

The agreement reflects a continuing effort to connect academic work with local initiatives, particularly in agriculture, where both institutions see practical opportunities for engagement.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. 

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