FMDS-UPOU hosts talks about the case of Butuan in building the next Singapores in the regions

The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) conducted the 35th Sustainable Shared Growth Seminar titled, “Building the Next Singapore(s) in the Regions: The Case of Butuan” on 02 February 2023, 9:00 AM — 12:00 PM (PST) at the UPOU Audio-Visual Room (AVR) and via Zoom.

Arch. Michael Tomeldan, an environmental planner and professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Architecture, opened the series of presentations with an introduction to the Master Plan for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development (MPSUID) in Butuan City. This was followed by Dr. Ferdinand Maquito, assistant professor at the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf), UP Los Baños (UPLB), who discussed a sustainable shared growth perspective of the MPSUID.

Ms. Melanie A. Maur, Chief Economic Development Specialist of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga, also presented insights on the MPSUID from the public sector perspective. She gave updates on the MPSUID implementation, explained the functional role of Butuan City in the region’s spatial development framework, and Caraga Region’s  Industrialize and Innovate Fishery, Agroforestry, Mining, and Ecotourism (i2FAME) Strategy.

Ms. Cristina Romarate-Arcillas, President of the Butuan Chamber of Commerce, then shared her thoughts and comments on the discussions by Arch. Tomeldan, Dr. Mosquito, and Ms. Maur. She also gave insights on the MPSUID from the private sector perspective.

The seminar ended with an open forum after the four presentations and discussions. It was co-organized with CPAf, UPLB and the Sekiguchi Global Research Association of the Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation.

Another Sustainable Shared Growth Seminar titled, “In Search of Community Currency (A Study in Community Innovations)”  will be conducted on 28 February 2023, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the UPOU AVR and via Zoom. Interested participants may register for free through this link.