Tuguegarao City, Cagayan — Saint Mary’s University (SMU) reaffirmed its commitment to regional academic excellence and sustainable development as faculty representative Mr. John Michael C. Ibarra participated in the 2nd Provincial Statistics Committee (PSC) Summit on October 20, 2026, at the Crown Hotel Pavilion.

Organized by the Regional Statistics Committee of Region II, the summit gathered key leaders, government agencies, and higher education institutions to advance data-driven growth. Aligned with the 37th National Statistics Month theme, “Tuklas Pilipinas: Statistics as Beacon Towards Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Tourism,” the event highlighted how quality statistics empower community-level tourism development.

A key highlight of the afternoon sessions featured Mr. Ibarra actively contributing during the open forum. Drawing from SMU’s expertise in hospitality and tourism management, Mr. Ibarra shared insights on leveraging smart tourism tools to strengthen destination safety and enhance visitor security across the region. His contributions emphasized how technology and data-backed strategies can safeguard travelers while building resilient communities.

The summit featured lectures on data-driven local planning, MSME development, eco-friendly regional circuits, and smart tourism initiatives presented by representatives from the PSA, DOT, DTI, DEPDev, and DOST.

Through active participation in regional multi-sectoral dialogues, SMU continues to drive progress aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work&Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation,&Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption&Production)—paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable Cagayan Valley.

SDG 8 ,9, 12

Written by: John Michael C. Ibarra and Aryan L. Yuzon