PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) welcomed the state universities and colleges in the region in a hybrid Dabaw Patigbabaw 2050: Regenerative Futures Workshop, initiated by the regional technical working group on Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight. The workshop was held at the DNSC Gender and Development (GAD) Conference Room on January 18, 2024.

Alongside the host, other participating SUCs were the Davao de Oro State College (DdOSC), Davao del Sur State College (DSSC), Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), and the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP). The SUCs were represented by their presidents and futures thinking focal persons.

To provide additional perspectives, the workshop also included representatives from various agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and DENR – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and select industry players.

The workshop started with a short refresher on futures thinking, underscoring the importance of anticipating and understanding potential changes, challenges, and opportunities that could arise in the future. Future Ready Communities and Futures Research or Futures Studies, being the pillars of Regenerative Futures, were discussed and heavily utilized during the workshop.

The activity plays an integral role in the practice of futures thinking, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to make informed decisions amidst uncertainties. It also fosters collaboration and learning from the insights and experiences of others.