Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) and Libertad National High School (LNHS) formally strengthened their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on March 4, 2026. The ceremony was held at the facilities of Rell and Renn Fishing Corporation in General Santos City. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework that aims to advance research initiatives and support Capstone Projects under the K to 12 curriculum.

HCCCI was represented by its School President, Marivet S. Caballero; Executive Vice President, Vanessa Marie L. Antiquin, MMEM; Academic Director, Dr. Erwin M. Faller; International Relations and External Linkages Officer, Jack Robin A. Lacerna, MMEM; Mark Laurence J. Fano, LPT, MALT, CHRA, Dean of the College of Teacher Education and Felicitas N. Sudario, MAST, Research Coordinator. Their presence reflected the institution’s continued commitment to strengthening research engagement and fostering academic collaboration with partner schools in the region.

Representing Libertad National High School were Rommel M. Arciosa, Junior High School Coordinator, on behalf of Principal IV Stephen S. Salazar; Chester Ian S. Pineda, Academic Coordinator; Laurence Jay S. Gella, SIP Mathematics and Computational Science Focal; and Rivela P. Deocadez, SIP Life Science Focal. The delegation actively participated in discussions that explored opportunities for collaboration in student research development and mentorship.

The event was hosted at Rell and Renn Fishing Corporation, represented by its Manager, Sir Niel Del Rosario. The choice of venue provided a meaningful context for the gathering, as it placed the academic partnership within a working industry environment. The setting underscored the importance of connecting education with practical experiences and demonstrated how institutions and industries can contribute to the development of future researchers and professionals.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment between the institutions to strengthen the culture of research, encourage innovation, and create meaningful academic collaborations that benefit both educators and learners. Through this initiative, students and teachers from Libertad National High School will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors from HCCCI in developing research projects that align with the Capstone framework. Possible research areas include life science, physical science, mathematics and computational science, and robotics.

During the discussions, participants emphasized the value of guiding students toward research that moves beyond theoretical understanding and progresses toward practical application. With mentorship from HCCCI faculty and access to academic resources and laboratory facilities, learners will be encouraged to transform their research ideas into well-developed studies and research-based products that demonstrate creativity, scientific inquiry, and problem-solving skills.

The setting at Rell and Renn Fishing Corporation also allowed participants to reflect on the potential connections between student research and real industry contexts. Exposure to such environments provides learners with a broader perspective on how research can respond to practical needs within communities and industries. This experience helps students appreciate the relevance of their academic work and encourages them to pursue research that contributes to meaningful solutions.

For HCCCI, the partnership strengthens its role in providing mentorship, expertise, and institutional support in research development within the wider educational community of South Cotabato. For Libertad National High School, the collaboration opens opportunities for students and teachers to engage in guided research experiences that enhance their academic preparation and develop their capacity for scientific inquiry.

The signing of the agreement was also witnessed by representatives from Santo Niño College Foundation, Inc. (SNCFI), a partner and allied institution of HCCCI. Present during the event were Darrell S. Caballero, President of SNCFI and Dr. Jun Y. Badie who expressed their support for initiatives that strengthen cooperation and encourage research engagement among educational institutions in the region.

Following the formal signing, the Libertad National High School delegation participated in a tour of selected facilities of HCCCI and the host venue, Rell and Renn Fishing Corporation. The visit provided an opportunity for the guests to observe laboratories, learning spaces, and working environments that may support future Capstone research and product development activities.

Through this collaborative initiative, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. and Libertad National High School, together with their partner institutions, reaffirm their shared commitment to nurturing young researchers, promoting innovation, and strengthening partnerships that contribute to the continued advancement of research and education in South Cotabato.