The Geo-SAFER Mindanao Program conducted a culmination activity last June 5, 2019 at the LMX Convention Center, Butuan City. The event gathered all Geo-SAFER Personnel from the five (5) implementing Higher Educational Institution namely; Caraga State University, Central Mindanao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology, and University of the Philippines Mindanao.

The event also gathered the program’s stakeholders and partner agencies across Mindanao who played an important role in achieving the goals of the program. Engr. Meriam Makinano-Santillan, Program Leader of the Geo-SAFER Mindanao Program, presented the accomplishments of the program within the last two years of its implementation and also expressed her gratitude to the Local Government Unit Officials for their constant support to the Program’s goals and endeavors. Engr. Santillan also expressed her hopes for the program by saying, “Now that the Program has ended, I am hopeful that the efforts and resources that we have exerted to this program will be put into something that could really change and save the lives of our people.”

Also included in the event was the ceremonial turn-over of maps and giving of plaques to the Local Government Units, partner line-agencies and other stakeholders. It was followed by a panel discussion through which representatives from different LGUs and line agencies discussed the program's impacts to their respective offices and to the communities.

The DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Usec. Brenda Nazareth-Manzano, served as the Keynote Speaker of the said activity. She commended the efforts of the project leaders for helping build safer and more resilient communities in Mindanao, highlighting the great partnership that the program has built with the different sectors. “Let’s continue to strengthen the partnerships we’ve already built and work together to achieve sustainable and inclusive development for everyone,” Usec. Manzano said as she ended her inspirational talk.

As the two-year program has come to an end, Geo-SAFER Mindanao Personnel continues to hope that the outputs produced and developed by the program will continue to be utilized and be heard. Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of the DOST-PCIEERD, hopes that this information will not only rest in the hands of the stakeholders shall be utilized by the communities especially with the threats brought about by flooding in the country. “The DOST-PCIEERD is truly honoured to have been a major mover and catalyst to the program’s evolution and accomplishments,” he said.