WESVARRDEC starts sustainable darag chicken production program

By Isaac Abello

Staff, Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

With Reports from Niño Manaog and Bede Ozaraga, Capiz State University

Research in the darag native chicken is now official.

Recently, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), under the auspices of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) launched the Development of Sustainable Production System for the Darag Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Western Visayas, a pioneering project that involves the Research and Development arms of four state colleges and universities in the region—West Visayas State University (WVSU), Central Philippine University (CPU), Aklan State University (ASU), and Capiz State University (CapSU).

In an inception meeting held at the Residence Hotel in Iloilo City in August 2011, Dr. Synan Baguio, supervising science research specialist and Dr. Edwin Villar, livestock research division director, both of PCARRD presented to the SUC representatives the terms and conditions of the funded project and the responsibilities of the collaborating agencies. The PCARRD officials likewise briefed the SUCs on the schedule of monitoring and evaluation and the delivery of outputs from the project.

The program will be a collaborative effort of said four SUCs. WVSU will develop a native chicken breeding and hatchery management system that would ensure stable supply of both breeder and slaughter native chickens of predictable performance and consistent quality in commercial quantities.

CPU will develop and establish a feed production and distribution system for free-range native chickens while ASU will establish a Newcastle Disease vaccine production and distribution systems for the same purpose. For its part, CapSU will produce and distribute a stable supply of ethno-botanical antihelmintics and develop a range area (pasture) enhancement protocol for the darag native chickens.

In the same event, WVSU’s Dr. Evelyn Tomambo, who is also the program leader, presented the new program titled “Development of Sustainable Darag Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Production System as Climate Change Adaptation Option for the Poultry Industry in Western Visayas.”

Among others, the program will organize information and component technologies generated thru previous research and development into a sustainable enterprise-type native chicken production system. It seeks to usher in productive and profitable utilization of locally available feed, medicinal plants and chicken genetic resources.

According to the program, an organized native chicken production system will help establish sustainable native chicken-based enterprises by rural dwellers and ensure stable supply of good quality native chicken products that meet quality and quantity requirements of institutional buyers and domestic consumers.

Promoted by WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, the program is supported by ASU President Danilo Abayon, CPU President Teodoro Robles, WVSU President Pablo Subong, Jr., and CapSU President Editha Magallanes as represented by Dr. Geronimo Gregorio, WESVARRDEC’S regional research development group coordinator, and CapSU’s vice-president for research and extension.

Batad FITS Center hosts 2nd corn congress

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

To showcase the technology on open-pollinated corn varieties (OPV), the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) Batad Campus in Batad, Iloilo led the Second Municipal Corn Congress and Corn Derby on September 5, 2011 at NIPSC Batad Campus in Batad, Iloilo.

The congress convened some 300 participants composed of farmers, teachers, students, stakeholders of the corn industry, representatives of Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC); representatives of seed technology, pesticides and fertilizer companies; government officials in Batad, Iloilo and environs.

Anchored on the theme “Responsable kag Mapadinayunon nga Pagpanguma, Mauswagon nga Banwa,” the congress aimed to encourage farmers and other stakeholders to adopt the OPV technology and natural farming system to increase their corn production and income. With the corn summit this year, the organizers likewise sough to conduct research trials to produce technologies that can be shared with farmers.

In his opening speech, Mr. Ricardo Ayupan, NIPSC Batad’s college administrator, said that crop productivity and food self-sufficiency today can help stop hunger and alleviate poverty.

NIPSC led the corn summit to initiate the sharing of the R&D experience and disseminate its enormous potential not only for Batad but for also for the Western Visayas. Farmers were also urged to maximize and reduce the cost of production and the integration of bio-organic fertilizer.

For his part, Dr. Joel Limson, president of the NIPSC System, stressed that “our country is being struck by two major concerns—how to increase production, and how to protect the environment, both of which seem difficult to achieve.” According to Limson, there is a need to strike a balance between the increasing population and the dwindling resources and production.

Prof. Eva Montero, FITS manager and associate director for research and development, said that they also hosted the first corn congress in 2010. There they found that farmers need to know more information particularly on the importance of nurturing the environment. Therefore, Batad FITS Center coordinated with the National Research Center for Corn to develop the OPV technology. Montero said they were able to produce the seeds during the last cropping. For this current cropping, they conducted weed control trial and major pest survey on corn OPV at a 1.6 hectare corn techno-demo research farm in NIPSC Batad. The efforts were backed by the local government of Batad, NIPSC Batad, and the Agricultural Training Institute-RTC 6 as partner member agency.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ricardo Saltin, corn program coordinator of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Regional Field Unit 6, said that besides promoting white corn, especially in sloping areas, DA has provided post-harvest facilities to support the corn farmers.

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, Regional Techno Gabay (RTG) coordinator of WESVARRDEC and officer-in-charge of the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension of Aklan State University (ASU), enjoined the participants of the economic value of corn not only for human consumption or feeds but for other purposes. Relingo said that various corn products have been promoted by the consortium during regional and national techno fairs, and they usually stand out.

The corn congress featured technology forums on the practice of site-specific nutrient management and the effects of different fertility practices on OPV Maize.

Then, to promote value-addition for the corn as commodity, the organizers hosted a Corn Dish Cooking Contest for Bachelor of Science in hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) students of NIPSC. In the said contest, the Prawns in Corn Pandan Curry Sauce by Warren Castañares and Fritz Bornales, second-year students won the top prize; while the Stuffed Squid with Corn Sauce by freshman Jerome Tullo and the Pan Roasted Chicken with Creamy Corn Garlic Gravy by sophomore Shisan Charm Balete and junior Ronald Balete.

Collaborations rule WESVARRDEC’s 2011 R&D symposium

By Isaac Abello, Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Staff

With reports from Niño Manaog, University Extension Associate, Capiz State University

This is the year of collaboration and group effort.

In the 21st Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) hosted by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) on August 26, 2011 at the Henry Luce III Library of the Central Philippine University (CPU) in Jaro, Iloilo City, all winning papers consisted of co-authorships from faculty and researchers of some eight partner member agencies (PMAs) across the region.

Winning presenters were (from top)
Dr. Greta Gabinete of WVSU,
Ms. Nenita Sodusta of DA-WESVIARC
and Prof. Arlene de la Cruz of ASU.

Of the 17 research papers presented, the “Development of Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) Recommendations for Irrigated Rice in Region VI” authored by Greta Gabinete, Hector Peñaranda, Benjamin Gutierrez and Roland Buresh won the first prize. The study was a collaborative effort of the West Visayas State University, (WVSU), the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6), the Capiz State University (CapSU); and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The “Field Testing of ICRISAT Legume Varieties and Technologies in Selected Regions of the Philippines” conducted by Corazon Arroyo and Nenita Sodusta of the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-WESVIARC) won second place; while Aklan State University (ASU)’s “Inventory and Bio-prospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” by conducted by Lelisa Teodosio, and many others was awarded the third prize.

The research panel of evaluators was composed of Dr. Rolando Labios of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (DA-BAR); Dr. Marcelino Siladan of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD); and Engr. Emelyn Flores of  the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 6.

Among seven papers presented under development, all three presentations by the West Negros College Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (WNC-RDFI) swept the top awards. The top development study titled “Bio Power-up Fuel Additive” presented its benefits to the environment, economy and livelihoods to the users. The second-placer technology “Low-Density Biomass Charcoal Maker” details procedures required in producing charcoal briquettes while their third-place study titled “SPD Multi-function Food Processing Equipment” presented a three-in-one equipment that works as sterilizer-pasteurizer-drier, which is ideal for food processors.

The tandem of Engr. Paolo Petalver (top)
and Engr. Dioscoro Marañon, Jr.
(bottom right) of WNCRDFI produced
impressive technological developments.

The tandem of Engr. Paolo Petalver and Engr. Dioscoro Marañon, Jr. of WNCRDFI who produced such technological developments impressed the panel of the judges consisting of Mr. Ramon Peñalosa, Jr., Magsasaka Siyentista of WESVARRDEC; Engr. Rowen Gelonga, regional executive director of the DOST Region 6; Dr. Juanito Batalon of PCARRD; and Engr. Gilberto Altura of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6.

For poster category, Aklan State University’s presentation on “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” and the “Yield and Fruit Quality of Rambutan under Different Timing and Levels of GA3 Application” won the first and the second prizes. CapSU’s work on the “Performance of Selected Indigenous Upland Rice through Adoption of Suitable Planting Methods under Rainfed Lowlands” was awarded third.

Winning posters (from left) from ASU and CapSU

Dr. Ma. Luisa Mabunay of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas; Dr. Ma. Cielito Siladan of the Forest Products Research  and Development Institute (FPRDI); and Dr. Lilian Diana Parreno of Guimaras State College (GSC) served as poster evaluators.

A number of evaluators were impressed with this year’s R&D outputs. Dr. Juanito Batalon, member of the planning, programming and packaging section of PCARRD’s crop research division, said the development papers, though few, most essentially addressed issues of preserving the environment while seeking to provide livelihoods to people.

Research panel (from left)
Dr. Rolando Labios,
Dr. Marcelino Siladan
and Engr. Flores

Dr. Marcelino Siladan, head of the program planning and packaging section of the Forest and Environment Division (FERD) of PCARRD, said that the winning research papers could very well compete in the national selection.

Among others, MS Ramon Peñalosa, meanwhile, took interest in CapSU’s banana chipper technology presented by Julito Albaladejo. For Peñalosa, such technologies can surely benefit small farmers and backyard technologies.

Most important, Engr. Rowen Gelonga, regional executive director of DOST 6, suggested that prior to their presentations of technologies during symposiums, the consortium should create an ad hoc committee to coordinate for Intellectual Property (IP) rights and issues. According to Gelonga, this is to safeguard the IP rights of inventors and their technologies and inventions.

The winning papers in the R&D categories will compete in the National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) to be hosted by PCARRD-DOST in November this year.

The development panel included (from left) Dr. Gilberto Altura;
MS Ramon Peñalosa, Jr;  Dr. Juanito Batalon
and Engr. Rowen Gelonga.

For his part, incoming Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) chair, Dr. Joel Limson, president of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NISPC) based in Estancia, Iloilo, warmly welcomed the participants in the symposium’s opening rites. Among others, Limson encouraged cooperation and teamwork among member agencies and which will benefit the consortium as a whole.

Hosted by CPU led by Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Techno Gabay Team Leader; Dr. Hope Patricio, RACG representative; and Aries Roda Romallosa, Regional Management Information Systems Group (RMISG) representative—this year’s 21st RSRDH was made possible through the efforts and initiative of the Consortium Secretariat and Dr. Geronimo Gregorio of CapSU, Regional Research and Development Group coordinator; Dr. Anna Mae Relingo of ASU, Regional Techno Gabay Group coordinator; Prof. Nilo Araneta of UPV who chaired the tabulation committee; and Dr. Jane Geduspan of UP Visayas and acting director and officer-in-charge of WESVARRDEC.

Participants, officials and facilitators of this year's RSRDH

ASU hosts Visayas-wide forum on SUCs-private sector partnerships

By Sally R. Villasis

With reports from Rhea V. Martesano

The Aklan State University (ASU) hosted the Forum on SUCs (State Universities and Colleges)-Private Partnership on Education Economic Zones on August 17–19, 2011 at the ASU Review Center in Banga, Aklan.

The first in a series of four, the forum convened presidents, vice-presidents for academic affairs, vice-presidents for research and extension, vice-presidents for production and business of the SUCs and industry representatives from the three regions 6, 7 and 8, all of Visayas.

Led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the said forum sought to provide venue for sharing the best practices on SUCs-Private Partnership and exploring potential partnerships with the private sector.

In his keynote address, Mr. Oscar A. Torralba, chair of the agri-business countryside development committee of the Management Association of the Philippines and CHED’s Technical Panel for Business and Management, presented the salient points of the Economic Education Zones (EEZ) as a Platform for Government-Industry-Academe (GIA) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) among SUCs.

According to Torralba, SUCs today face intense competition for opportunities and priorities in fiscal allocation with threats of budget deficits and increasing demands by the globalized market. Therefore, it is imperative for SUCs to employ “innovative approaches in facing these harsh realities.” It was in this vein that EEZ was conceptualized.

EEZ is designed to transform an SUC from being traditional, budget-based and grant-driven into an enterprising institution which effectively exploits its natural resource endowments. Under the same approach, SUCs are encouraged to engage in the commercial application of their research and knowledge base and the strong participation of the private sector for long-term cooperation.

For her part, Dr. Virginia Resurreccion, director of CHED’s Regional Office 6, stressed on the importance of raising the country’s human capital to help address the global issue on poverty. For Resurreccion, there is a need for a curriculum that offers quality education and training of students who can compete in the global market and whose skills and expertise can match the emerging trends in the industry.

While these can be hindered by lack of economic resources or similar financial constraints, public and private partnerships can provide key mechanisms for flexibility and accommodate growth in SUCs. For one, newly conceptualized SUC curriculums could help create jobs and help spur economic growth.

According to Resurreccion, partnerships that can be forged between SUCs and private sectors can inspire SUCs themselves to focus on research, training and development. All these efforts can provide inexpensive offshoots to the growth of knowledge economy. Furthermore, partnering with the private sector can help address the need for financial support for SUCs’ R&D activities.

The Visayas-wide forum featured paper presentations on curricular enrichment and development, enterprise development, intellectual property management, technology business incubation and technology commercialization, business process outsourcing and infrastructure and physical facilities development.

PCARRD meets with Negros FITS centers on STBF

By Denesa C. Lamique, Techno Gabay Team Leader

& Jethro B. Dagunan, Regional Applied Communications Group Representative

To facilitate the release of funds for the Science and Technology-Based Farms (STBF) for the Magsasaka Siyentista of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers based in Escalante City and Negros Bacolod City, both of Negros Occidental, Dr. Democrito Magpantay, head of the technology packaging unit of the Technology Outreach and Promotion Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), led the Inception Meeting with the members of said beneficiaries recently in Bacolod City.

Along with Prof. Joseph Edward Idemne, WESVARRDEC Director; Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, TGP Coordinator and Mr. Nicolas Banquero, Techno Gabay Program staff, and Dianne Cabello of PCARRD, Magpantay met with the members of the OPA Negros Occidental and Escalante City FITS Centers including MS Ramon Peñalosa and MS Jose Vicente Alemany, FITS Manager Edna Garde, their technology services specialist, RACG and RMIS representatives.

Among others, Magpantay’s team briefed the participants on the Science and Technology (S&T) intervention provided by PCARRD. Aside from providing the guidelines on the establishment of S& T Based Farms, pertinent policies, rules and products of the STBF mechanism, Magpantay also advised WESVARRDEC and the FITS centers on how to best manage the funds provided for said projects.

MS Alemany shares farming practices

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Regional Applied Communications Group Representative

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

It’s harvest time for Jun.

Years of trial and error in growing off-season cantaloupe melon has given Jose Vicente “Jun” Alemany, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Escalante City, Negros Occidental the level of knowledge and farming practice he now shares to his fellow farmers.

Alemany’s best practices in vegetable production included in the Science and Technology Based Farm (STBF) of the Escalante FITS Center was recently approved by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, Fishery Resources and Research Development (PCARRD). Said project will be monitored by Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Downloaded and coursed through the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), partner member agency of WESVARRDEC, the STBF Project for MS Alemany will showcase the use of appropriate S&T interventions in off-season production of cantaloupe melon. Aside from promoting the use of S&T based technologies on off-season cantaloupe production to 30 farmers and adopters, the STBF will come with the documentation of the best management practices on the same.

As part of the STBF, MS Alemany started sharing the one-module technology July 12, 2011 in his farm in Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

The training is divided in two (2) cycles with 30 farmer beneficiaries. Each cycle will feature one module for eight weeks to benefit 15 farmers in order to ensure quality interactions and learning.

In the first module training, MS Alemany shared his know-how on the good and bad uses or qualities of water. He also made the farmers understand the soil and its pH (alkaline and acidity) level, the importance of both major and minor or trace elements. Alemany also lectured on the proper preparation of plot with plastic mulching, and planting and seedling preparation.

MS Alemany’s technology is promoted by Escalante City FITS Center led by FITS Manager Ferdinand Alico.

ASU sets directions for its FITS centers in 2011

By Sally Villasis

Regional Applied Communications Representative

Aklan State University

To sustain the partnership between the partner member agency (PMA) and the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center, the Aklan State University (ASU), member agency of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources and Research Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), convened the staff of its FITS Centers in Aklan and Antique for the second quarter meeting and consultation-workshop on July 8, 2011 at the ASU Review Center in Banga, Aklan.

In his speech, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon commended to the FITS staff and the local government units for their contribution in the achievement of ASU as WESVARRDEC’s Outstanding Partner Member Agency for the second time.

Abayon stressed that the direction of ASU id now geared to become a strong University. In particular, for ASU to excel in agriculture, it will get into the mainstream for development. For Abayon, the award received by ASU is dedicated to the people it assisted, because the people have accepted and adopted and made into action what the University has.

The newly installed ASU president said that ASU will focus its efforts on research on the commodities identified in Aklan. Abayon believes that a university should involve wholly most on knowledge generation and it can only be done through full engagement in research and commitment in extension work.

ASU Techno Gabay Team Leader Dr. Clyde G. Abayon led the team including Dr. Lelisa J. Teodosio, Regional Management Information System Group (RMIS) representative and Regional Applied Communication Group (RAC) Representative Salvacion R. Villasis and the alternates, Prof. Carmenchita M. Tumaca, Mr. Louie G. Garcia and Mr. Arthur E. Jizmundo.

The team met with FITS managers, technology service specialists, information service specialists and Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Altavas, Banga, Ibajay, Nabas, New Washington and Numancia in Aklan and Libertad in Antique.

After Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, WESVARRDEC Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator, presented the framework of the Pinoy S&T Services, Dr. Abayon expressed her appreciation to all the FITS staff and Magsasaka Siyentista for their support and cooperation which contributed to the award conferred on the University.

Each FITS center was given the opportunity to report their accomplishments for the second quarter and the Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) also shared what they have done for the second quarter. Among others, MS Amelia Rentillo of Banga FITS Center shared her experiences on product promotion especially during festivals, fairs and exhibits. MS Neri Into of Libertad FITS Center reported on her ongoing Science and Technology Based Farm on Ginger Ale Processing.

For her part, Dr. Teodosio presented the highlights of the Regional Management Information System and reminded the FITS staff to submit their farmers’ profiles and their monthly and quarterly reports.

RACG Representative Villasis shared the highlights of the RACG second quarter meeting held at FITS Dumalag in Capiz. Urging the FITS staff to continue producing news articles on FITS activities, IEC materials of the focus commodity of their FITS center and MS practices, Villasis also enjoined them to promote FITS activities and MS practices and technologies through the “ASU Reports,” a regular feature program aired over Kalibo Cable Television.

At this writing, the FITS centers and MS of ASU have been scheduled for interview features.

ASU hosts PASUC confab on vertical articulation, financial mgt

By Sally Villasis

Regional Applied Communications Representative

Aklan State University

On July 11–13, 20011, the Aklan State University (ASU) hosted the Training Workshop on Vertical Articulation of General Education and Degree-Granting Units in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and on Financial Management Phase II: Financial Reporting Using Microsoft (MS) Excel Pivot Table in SUCs spearheaded by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VI at the ASU Review Center in Banga, Aklan. The ASU batch is the second conducted by PASUC following the first one held at the Benguet State University recently.

According to ASU President Danilo E. Abayon, lead convener, three model SUCs were tasked to share significant input for other participants to strengthen their respective institutions.

Dr. Benny A. Palma, president of PASUC VI and acting president of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), said that the workshop was conceptualized following the low results in the Normative Funding (NF). According to Palma, NF was less understood since until 2009, some 85% of the SUCs obtained low results.

To address the problem, presidents of 11 SUCs from Western Visayas who are members of the PASUC VI, discussed the matter and came up with several innovations. These included the uniform utilization of income, capability building of SUCs and use of systematized computer programs for financial transactions.

Palma said these innovations made by PASUC VI were also adopted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Palma said that very few SUCs have implemented vertical articulation, which is why “problems in the higher education keep on recurring like a nightmare." As per the CHED’s policy on vertical articulation, faculty of SUCs must be given loads based on their respective fields of specialization.

Considering that the two-year additional basic education program of DepEd might leave a two-year tertiary education once it’s in full swing, Palma said that SUC presidents across the country are negotiating with the Washington Accord to improve the curriculum.

In response to the future changes in the country’s educational milieu, the vertical articulation may provide an alternative solution. First, it will provide uniform formats across all degree-granting units in all campuses. Second, faculty members can share their specialization from undergraduate to master’s degree to doctoral degrees. Last, the college dean will have the competence to run the program from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Palma also encouraged the participants to design their programs according to vertical articulation owing to the benefits and outputs expected from them.

The PASUC VI conference was attended by a number of SUC presidents in the country including Dr. Editha Magallanes of the Capiz State University; Dr. Victor Navarra of the University of Antique; Dr. Rogelio Artajo of the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology; Dr. Divinia Chavez of the Cavite State University; and Dr. Mariano de Jesus of the Bulacan State University.

Resource persons lectured on organizational structure, organizational communication, the ASU Model of College of Teacher Education Verticalization, and the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Model on Articulation and Implementation of CHED Verticalization Program in General Education and Degree-Granting Units and Campuses. Moreover, the CHMSC shared its experience on the implementation of vertical articulation in a state college while ASU shared its own on vertical integration of the general education curriculum.

Then, to maximize the use of computer program for financial transactions in SUCs, PASUC VI has devised the Microsoft (MS) Excel Pivot Table in SUCs. Said computer program will hasten the work in financial reporting because data is summarized, revealed, compare and analyze data and turn data into information.

Some 40 finance officers from SUCs across the country learned the advanced features of MS Excel and Pivot hands-on workshop under Ms. Jasmin L. Vargas, chief administrative officer of the finance division of the West Visayas State University.

“Better ASU researches this year”–PCARRD

By Lelisa J. Teodosio, RMIS Representative

and Sally R. Villasis, RACG Representative

Aklan State University

Photos from PCARRD ACD

The quality of research in Aklan State University (ASU) is much better than it was two or three years earlier.

This is according to Dr. Lily Ann Lando, director of the Applied Communication Division (ACD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who delivered her speech in the closing rites of the ASU In-house Review on July 14–15, 2011 at the ASU Review Center, Banga, Aklan.

Commending ASU for hosting the “very important event,” Lando (see photo) likewise urged the researchers to continue to do research because ASU has a “big responsibility for being a Regional University.” According to Lando, researchers must lead the way not only for the ASU community but also for their colleagues in the region’s other universities.

ASU led the in-house review this year to mainstream its programs towards agriculture and fishery. The conference convened researchers from ASU’s five campuses who presented a total of 45 research papers. Of these, five are ongoing, 24 are proposed while 16 have already been completed.

Cited best papers for agri-fishery and eco-tourism were the “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” presented by Arlene Dela Cruz, et.al.; “Yield Performance of Pummelo var. Helmar as Affected by Pruning and Different Source of Fertilizer” by Michael Ibisate, et.al.; and “Resource Assessment of Brackish Rivers of New Washington, Aklan” by Zaida Ochavo, et.al.

Under the education, socioeconomics and related fields, the best papers were “Perception and Acceptance of Fingerprint Biometric Technology among Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel of ASU: Basis for Policy Recommendation” by Alfonsa Fanie Radislao, et.al.; “Learning Strategies of BSEd 3 Students in English Language Proficiency as a Second Language” authored by Librada Rebustes, et.al.; and “Leadership Dimension among Deans and Directors of Aklan State University: Its Implications to Public Administration.”

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension of ASU said that “what makes a university is its research. And so to sustain further improvement of the quality of researches in the University, we hosted the in-house review.” Relingo also acts as Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Featuring the expertise of the University’s partner institutions, ASU invited selected panel evaluators to help enhance the research and development initiatives of the University.

For agri-fishery and eco-tourism, the panelists were Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando; Mr. Rolando V. Labios, chief agriculturist and coordinator for research office of the Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and Dr. Ulysses M. Montojo, senior aquaculturist and in-charge of planning, monitoring and evaluation division of DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.

The same panel included WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne who was represented by Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio, vice-president for research and extension of the Capiz State University (CapSU) and coordinator of WESVARRDEC R&D Group; and Dr. Jonic Natividad, regional veterinary quarantine officer of DA-Regional Field Office 6.

For education, socioeconomics and related fields, the evaluators were Dr. Evelyn L. Gregorio, faculty of CapSU Graduate School and social science researcher; Ms. Andrea Panilla, senior science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6; and Dr. Ersyl T. Biray, vice-president for academic affairs of ASU.

For his part, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon said that “we can do something after several years of inculcating the need to conduct research by the faculty.” For Abayon (see photo), it is also good to see that the University is getting mature in terms of the conduct of research. In his first year as president, Abayon stressed that researchers should publish in international journals, as they have already gone through national and international presentations.

Abayon also cited that researchers ought to revive many centers in the University such as the Center for Productive Use of Renewable Energy. He also encouraged to launch operations of the biodiesel plant and establish partnership with DOST for the Natural Dye Technology Resource Center. Abayon also urged everyone to sustain many other projects geared towards the improvement of the University’s R&D and extension programs.