The Cotabato State University (CotSU), led by University President Prof. Sema G. Dilna, paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Municipal Mayor of Buldon and participated in a special session of the Sangguniang Bayan last July 1, 2026 to strengthen the University's partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) with the aim of advancing extension services, research utilization, and community development. Joining the President were Dr. Armia K. Dilna, Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Samsia Ibrahim, Director of the Office of Extension Services, Dr. Norkaina C. Samama, Director of the Office of Guidance and Counseling, Dr. Mobarac R. Dimasindel, Director of the Quality Management System Office and Unit Head for Community Organizing, and Ms. Sandra Casan, staff of the Graduate School.

 The delegation was welcomed by Mayor Hon. Pahmia A. Manalao-Masurong, Hon. Vice Mayor Abolais A. Manalao, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, namely: Hon. Atty. Cairoden P. Pangunotan, Hon. Anwar M. Abdullah, Hon. Saakina R. Diron, Hon.  Johara M. Tomawis, Hon.  Kusain D. Ali, Hon. McArthur M. Manalao, Hon. Naisa M. Saranga, Hon. Abdukrakim P. Mangoramas, Hon. Ibrahim M. Rumumba, and Hon. Zamora A. Pia, and some barangay officials. During the meeting, President Dilna reported that since the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement in 2021 between CotSU and the Municipality of Buldon, the University has already served as of present more than 3,000 beneficiaries from several barangays, including Minabay, Karim, Edcor, Mataya, Nuyo, and Dinganen through various extension programs of Colleges, namely: Graduate School, College of Teacher Education, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Public Administration, College of Islamic Studies, College of Forestry, College of Agriculture and Fisheries, and College of Engineering, Technology, and Computing.

President Dilna emphasized that the University's goal is not simply to conduct trainings but to create lasting impact in communities. He noted that the success of extension programs should be measured by how beneficiaries improve their quality of life several years after the interventions. He likewise reaffirmed CotSU's commitment to continue implementing its flagship extension program, RISE (Reformed Initiatives for Sustainable Empowerment of the Bangsamoro), in Buldon as long as the municipality continues to welcome the University's partnership. He also shared the University's plan to strengthen collaborations with other development partners to provide broader opportunities for the constituents of the municipality.

A major highlight of the meeting was Cotabato State University's continuing advocacy for research utilization as a mechanism for evidence-based governance and community development. President Prof. Sema G. Dilna encouraged the Local Government Unit of Buldon to sustain its commitment in translating faculty research into local policies, programs, and ordinances. He acknowledged the municipality for already adopting several CotSU research outputs, including the Ordinance Adopting the Adaptive Supervisory Leadership Framework and Institutionalizing Its Implementation in the Municipality of Buldon by Prof. Dr. Sema G. Dilna and Dr. Armia K. Dilna; the Ordinance Adopting the Buldon Contextualized Peace and Development Framework and the Ordinance Adopting the Peace-Oriented Mathematics Instruction Framework as a Supplementary Policy Guide for Basic Education, both proposed by Dr. Mobarac R. Dimasindel; the Ordinance Institutionalizing Gender Sensitivity Training for All Community-Based Social Enterprises in the Municipality proposed by Dr. Norkaina C. Samama; and the Resolution Adopting the Policy Brief on Empowering Farmers through Organic Fertilizer Practices proposed by Dr. Samsia Ibrahim. Building on these accomplishments, President Dilna encouraged the LGU to continue adopting future research outputs of CotSU faculty members as references for municipal ordinances, local development programs, and policy initiatives. He emphasized that research achieves its highest value when translated into concrete actions that address community concerns, strengthen public institutions, and improve the quality of governance. The proposal to institutionalize the adoption of future University research outputs was subsequently discussed during the session of the Sangguniang Bayan.

 Dr. Armia K. Dilna on the other hand, expressed her full support for this initiative. She noted that the adoption of faculty research by local government units will indeed provide a strategic avenue for research utilization to ensure that the researches from the University are contributing directly to community development. She added that, “these had made some programs of the Graduate School passed accreditations”.

 For her part, Dr. Samsia Ibrahim shared that throughout the implementation of CotSU's extension programs, she observed the strong participation and enthusiasm of the people of Buldon. According to her, the community has consistently shown its willingness to learn, improve, and become economically empowered. She emphasized that this positive response continues to inspire the University to sustain its extension initiatives in the municipality and reaffirmed that CotSU will continue serving Buldon for as long as the community remains committed to the partnership.

 Meanwhile, Dr. Norkaina C. Samama emphasized that women empowerment remains one of the University's priority extension thrusts. She explained that CotSU's initiatives seek to empower women by developing their leadership potential, enhancing their self-confidence, and strengthening their capacity to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities. Through various extension programs, the University is continues to equip women's organizations with the knowledge and competencies necessary to become catalysts of sustainable community development.

 Dr. Mobarac R. Dimasindel underscored the importance of quality assurance in sustaining the University's extension, research, and academic initiatives. He noted that several CotSU programs have already attained Level III Accreditation which mirrors their academic excellence and institutional quality, while others have achieved Level IV Accreditation which just signifies the University's growing accomplishments in internationalization. He also shared that, through community organizing initiatives, several beneficiaries have already been linked to TESDA skills training in cookery, automotive servicing, electrical installation, and other technical fields.

 In response, Mayor Pahmia Manalao-Masurong expressed her appreciation for CotSU's continuing commitment to the municipality and guaranteed the LGU's full support for future collaborative programs. She shared several development priorities of the municipality, particularly in livelihood generation and community empowerment, and recognized the University's significant contribution in helping improve the lives of Buldon's constituents. As noted by her, “we saw the University’s actual implementation of the projects in different barangays, and for that we are very thankful”.

 Vice Mayor Abolais A. Manalao also gave his unwavering support for the University's continuing partnership with the Municipality of Buldon and emphasized that he is prepared to champion legislative measures that reinforce collaborative initiatives on livelihood development, rido prevention, and community empowerment. He noted that these interventions are essential in creating peaceful, productive, and self-reliant communities, adding that meaningful partnerships between the LGU and CotSU play a significant role in advancing the municipality's long-term development agenda.

 Atty. Cairodin Pangunotan, Senior Councilor of the Municipality of Buldon and Ex Officio Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao del Norte, likewise expressed his strong support for the University's continuing partnership with the Municipality. He acknowledged Cotabato State University's significant contributions to the development of Buldon through its sustained extension, research, and community empowerment initiatives, noting that these accomplishments deserve formal recognition from the Local Government Unit. He even proposed that the University be honored through a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution and a Plaque of Recognition in appreciation of its meaningful impact on the municipality and its people.

 During the Sanggunian Session, Atty. Pangunotan, together with Vice Mayor Abolais A. Manalao and CotSu President Dilna, also shared insightful yet lighthearted reflections and personal stories on the importance of peace, development, and unity in the Bangsamoro. Their exchanges fostered a warm and engaging atmosphere in the session which even made it very welcoming for all who were in attendance.

 The meeting concluded with both Cotabato State University and the Municipality of Buldon reaffirming their commitment in strengthening collaboration in extension, research utilization, and community empowerment. The activity reflects the shared vision of both institutions to create sustainable and transformative peace and development in the constituents of Buldon Municipality.