WMSU-ROOF is under the Office of the University President and supervised by the University Vice President for Research, Development and Extension (RDE). These are  university units on which lie the responsibility to translate WMSU’s community solidarity thrusts into concrete service programs and projects. It has adopted a multi-sectional, multi-sectoral approach, disposing academic expertise and academe-related functions at the service of the more marginalized members of the community.

The University’s RDE Offices pursue a three-component program that involves:

a) Capacity-building/ enhancement for productivity and empowerment: The mission of enskilling to ennoble, enable, and empower is being carried out mainly by the Department of Extension Services

b) Data collection, analysis, and quality control:  The mission of engaging in a constant search in order to break into new ground, determine trends, and help point directions to new need areas within the University and its area of responsibility, is the main task of the Research and Evaluation Offices;

c) Social development Conscientization:  The mission of social marketing for causes that name and dignify humanity and give meaning to the university’s social imperative as the intellectual conscience of the region, is the prime function of the Development Information and Communication Offices.

In carrying out these programs, the RDE Offices are supported by a faculty-led foundation called Reach Out to Others Foundation, Inc. (ROOF).   ROOF is a non-profit, non-stock academe-based Non Governmental Development Organization. The purpose of this organization among others is:

• to support peace, justice, and development initiatives through advocacy and education, research, public information, and human resource building;

• to plan, design, organize, and undertake community out-reach programs or projects with the aim of uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the poor

Its Core Competencies are: Peace Advocacy; Project Development; Consulting Services; Education (Basic, Advanced and Vocational), Training and Research; Networking; and Policy Advocacy

Its Sectoral Partners are: Urban Poor, Farmers, Environment, Fisherfolks, Indigenous Peoples, Children and Youth and Women.

ROOF’s latest engagement is the implementation of the Bunguiao Eco Farm Park (BEFP) project. The purpose of the project is to provide a service learning facility for the promotion of organic farming among the emerging agriculturists and farmers, by piloting an integrated organic farming system in 8 sitios in Barangay Bunguiao, Zamboanga City. It has reached 123 direct farmer beneficiaries so far.

The BEFP agri project has so far achieved the following results:

• 20% increase of farm lots (25) using organic compost for organic farming

• 20% of household (25) utilized their organic solid wastes as compost and mulches

• Monthly farm income of every farm household increased by PhP 1,500 from their based monthly income of PhP 1,800

• 20% decrease of farmers (25) buying chemical fertilizers and pesticides thus contributing to a decrease in farm expenses

• 30% increase in organically grown agricultural products

• 15 percent  increase of goods and services produced and provided

• 15% decrease of farmers (18) using inorganic chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides)

• 10% increase of farmers (12) planting native varieties of food crops

• 20% increase of farmers (25) producing and using organic fertilizers

• 30% of farmers (37) engaged in diversified farming