DMMMSU and other higher educational institutions renewed their partnership with Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. (TK) for the operationalization of the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) Program. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was conducted last August 2, 2023 as side event of the WPS Summit held at Midas Hotel, Pasay City.

Since November 22, 2019, DMMMSU and TK were engaged in various project and activities specifically in the implementation of Environmental Justice Sector Reform Project (EJSRP) Phase 2 supported by the United States government. With EJSRP2, the twelve (12) coastal local government units of La Union became partner -beneficiaries of environmental governance trainings and other capacity-building sessions. The Project also supported the Area Specific Action Plans (ASAP) formulated by the LGUs during the Environmental Governance webinar series attended by local officials and civil society organizations. Their ASAPs include mangrove enhancements, agroforestry, beach forest development, support to coastal law enforcement, and solid waste management learning sessions among others. The DMMMSU-IEG is manned by faculty trainers from the different campuses headed by Mr. Celso H. Jucutan as Coordinator.

The MoU was signed by President Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr. represented by Dr. Angelina Gonzales, University Vice-President for Research and Extension, and Mr. Ritz Lee Santos III, TK President and witnessed by other government and TK officials. (By CHJ)