PANABO CITY – The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region XI, composed of state universities and colleges in Davao Region, hosted the 2nd Davao Sustainable Futures Conference (DSFC) 2026 on October 1–2, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City, with the theme, “Futuring Together for SDG 17: Local Action, Global Connections”.
The conference drew participants from 25 colleges and universities and two government agencies to discuss research and emerging sustainable development issues. The program featured pre-conference speakers: Dr. Jonathan Cabrera, Associate Professor and Director for Research of Davao Oriental University; Dr. Aleyla Escueta-De Cadiz, Professor and Director of the Philippine Genome Center Mindanao, University of the Philippines Mindanao; Dr. John Lee Candelaria, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University; and Dr. Edison Roi Macusi, Associate Professor, Publications Unit Head, and Editor-in-Chief of the Davao Research Journal of Davao Oriental State University.
Plenary speakers included Dr. Jose Camacho Jr., Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños; Hayley Pring, Senior Associate for Energy and Climate at Grattan Institute, Australia; Dr. Marshaley Baquiano, Professor at the University of Guam; Dr. Marvin Joseph Montefrio, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore; Dr. Raymond Andaya, Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Hiroshima University; and Jonas Victor Macuto of the Mindanao Development Authority.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Hon. Ono Hirotaka, Consul General of Japan in Davao, and Mr. Emmanuel De Guia, Resident Futurist of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking.
Research presentations were grouped into nine thematic areas. Best Paper recipients included Ricksterlie Verzosa of Davao Oriental State University for Futures of Education; Jet Cariaga of the University of Southeastern Philippines for Futures of Work; Bryl Manigo of the University of Southeastern Philippines for Futures of Fishery and Agriculture; Mekylla Olpindo of Davao del Norte State College for Futures of Technology; Leonel Lumogdang of SPAMAST for Futures of Nature and Environment; Jaypee Cantones of Davao Oriental State University for Futures of Built Environment and Design; and Renato Base of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines for Futures of Peace and Development. The two other thematic areas were Futures of Business and Entrepreneurship and Futures of Philippines–Japan Relations.
Chrischev Andre Espesor of the Southern Philippines Agri-business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology received the Best Poster award.
In her message, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa, PASUC XI Chair and President of Davao del Norte State College, called for collective action in pursuing sustainable development.
“What truly matters is the spirit we bring: the spirit of partnership, solidarity, and hope. Sustainable futures are not built by institutions alone; they are built by people, by communities, by leaders who dare to imagine and act together. And I thank each of you for being a part of the sustainable future we are creating,” Pres. Sorrosa said.
The conference centered on Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, with discussions highlighting cooperation among higher education institutions, government agencies, researchers, and international partners in addressing emerging development concerns.
