Mapúa MCM EVP COO, Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado, Jr., with DOLE XI Regional Director, Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy – Regional Director, holding the signed Memorandum of Agreement.
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) reinforced its commitment to producing industry-ready graduates through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office XI (DOLE XI) under the Integrated Labor Market Intelligence and Stakeholder Engagement Program. The partnership formalizes a strategic collaboration that aligns academic programs with evolving labor market demands while strengthening career development initiatives for students and graduates.
Held on February 26, 2026, at APO View Hotel in Davao City, the ceremonial signing marked the institutionalization of Mapúa MCM’s participation in DOLE XI’s Integrated Labor Market Intelligence and Stakeholder Engagement Program (SEP). The program involves Mapúa MCM’s Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science programs.
Through this initiative, both institutions will collaborate in reviewing academic curricula, analyzing labor market trends, facilitating data exchange on graduate profiles and industry needs, and implementing career development interventions that better prepare students for employment.
From left to right: Cleya Mae B. Montecalvo, Employment Staff; Engr. Elvi Cathe Lzil O. Moliva, Alternate Regional Employment Focal; Suzette Jane A. Antiveros, Regional Employment Focal; Lorraine Grace Ugsang, Senior LEO and DOLE Davao City Field Office Employment Focal; Jenelyn A. Sanchez, OIC-TSSD Chief; Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy – Regional Director, Regional Director; Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado Jr., EVP/COO; College of Computer and Information Science Dean, Rhodessa Cascaro; Ms. Kareen Michelle Q. Limpot, VP for Human Resources and Administration; Mr. Leopoldo Aquino Jr., Director of the Office of Career and Placement; and Ms. Katrina Diligencia, Officer of the Office of Career and Placement.
The partnership also establishes Mapúa MCM as an active participant in the Stakeholder Engagement Platform (SEP), enabling continuous dialogue between the academe and industry. By strengthening industry feedback mechanisms, the initiative supports curriculum enhancement and ensures that graduates possess the competencies required by today’s workforce.
The MOA was signed by Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado Jr., EVP-COO, and Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy. The signing was witnessed by officials from Mapúa MCM and DOLE XI, underscoring the shared commitment to strengthening industry-academe collaboration and expanding employment opportunities for future graduates.
The event was highlighted by the formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between DOLE XI and Mapúa MCM, signifying a shared commitment to addressing the jobs-skills mismatch in the Davao Region. The agreement promotes the exchange of labor market information, supports evidence-based curriculum development, and strengthens career readiness programs that will benefit graduating students and future professionals.
The partnership underscores the importance of sustained collaboration between the government and the higher education institutions in developing a workforce equipped with industry-relevant competencies. Through this, DOLE XI and Mapúa MCM reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the workforce development and creating more responsive education pathways that meet the evolving needs of the labor market.
Through this partnership, Mapúa MCM continues to strengthen its role in advancing workforce development, fostering meaningful government-academe collaboration, and equipping students with competencies that respond to regional and national employment needs. The initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, promoting quality education, sustainable employment opportunities, and collaborative partnerships that create lasting impact.