De La Salle-Lipa University and PEMSEA Formalize Partnership for ICM

Quezon City, Philippines — PEMSEA has once again engaged another academic institution to broaden the ICM capacity-building and advocacy base through the establishment of learning centers. The De La Salle-Lipa University in Batangas province has committed to providing space and manpower for an ICM learning center that could serve the coastal municipalities and cities in the province and across the country. De La Salle-Lipa University President, Br. Manuel Pajarillo, FSC, PhD, and PEMSEA Resource Facility Executive Director Raphael P.M. Lotilla signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize the partnership for capacity building last 16 October at the De La Salle grounds in Batangas, Philippines, in a simple ceremony hosted by the University.Soon after the formalization of the partnership, Mr. Ricky Magsino, an instructor from De La Salle, represented his institution in the Regional ICM Level 1 Training of Trainers (TOT) course held last October 2008. The early participation was designed to jumpstart the capacitating and strengthening of the ICM Learning Center in De La Salle. Mr. Magsino was joined by representatives from 11 other academic institutions from 5 PEMSEA participating countries who have also committed to joining PEMSEA's network of learning centers.