WMSU Inks Landmark Pact with Local Schools to Launch “Sibika Hub” Civic Education Network

By Dr. Carl Richard C. Dagalea

In a major push to revitalize youth participation in governance, Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with six premier educational and historical institutions to expand the reach of the Sibika Hub, a centralized center for civic education and engagement.

The partnership, spearheaded by the WMSU Integrated Laboratory School (WMSU-ILS), brings together a diverse coalition of educators including Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Filipino Turkish Tolerance School, ICAS de Calarian, Sto. Nino Progressive School, Unique Progress Academy, and the Advocates for ZaBaSulTa History.

The Sibika Hub is designed to function as a strategic bridge between academic learning and social action. Originally launched in partnership with Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed)—a joint project of USAID and The Asia Foundation—the hub serves three primary roles: a Resource Hub for inclusive civic materials, a Community Hub for youth participation, and a Network Hub for democratic governance.

“The Sibika Hub is not just a resource center; it’s a platform for our students to realize they are vital contributors to our democratic future,” stated Asst. Prof. Betsy Pearl P. Parangan, WMSU Sibika Hub Project Leader.

The WMSU-ILS, which serves as the extension arm of the College of Teacher Education, will manage the project. With a vision of producing socially responsive professionals, the ILS aims to utilize the hub to help high school students develop leadership skills and “civic habits” that extend beyond the classroom.

Under the new MOU, students from partner institutions will gain exclusive access to a curated Civic Education series. The project has outlined several high-impact annual outputs:

• Democracy Talks: Six sessions per year fostering informed discussions on democratic principles.

• Civic Education Forum: An annual flagship event for open dialogue on regional and national civic matters.

• Project Citizen: An annual initiative teaching students how to identify community issues and advocate for public policy changes.

• Flexible Civic Activities: At least two additional sessions per year tailored to the evolving needs of the youth members.

Localizing civic resources, WMSU and its partners aim to ensure that education is “digestible and inclusive” for all youth sectors in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The initiative aligns with the Department of Education’s mission to provide quality, culture-based education that protects the rights of every Filipino.

As the Sibika Hub scales its operations through this new network, it stands as a testament to Zamboanga City’s commitment to molding proactive leaders who are ready to drive positive social transformation.