AS THE University of Mindanao renews its commitment to serve the community this year, the UM Professional Schools has inked an agreement with the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) to conduct an independent study on the effectiveness of the city's drug rehabilitation program.
In a recently-concluded Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing, the university was represented by Professional Schools Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Eugenio Guhao, Jr. while the city government was represented by Ronaldo Rivera, CADAC Technical Adviser for Community Organizations.
The two entities agreed to conduct a study on the effectiveness of various intervention programs of the city government offered to all drug dependents and reformists in the city.
"We need an unbiased report from the academe. That is the reason why we tapped the researchers of the University of Mindanao for this project," Rivera said.
Guhao said the university's pool of researchers were eager to conduct the study to pilot barangays of the city.
"This endeavor is not only for the accreditation of the university, but it is part of our commitment to serve the government and the community," Guhao said.
As a partner institution, the university is responsible in the preparation of the survey instruments that determine the level of effectiveness of the program and the level of satisfaction among drug reformists.
Guhao added that the university allocates huge budget needed for meetings, data gathering, research writing, and other incidental expense.
"With our partnership, we can show to the international community that the war on drugs in the Philippines is not bloody contrary to reports," Rivera said.
The result of this study will be presented to different government agencies and stakeholders, especially the United Nations early next year.