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.

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.

ASU reaps awards in 21st R&D symposium

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

Three research studies of Aklan State University (ASU) won the top prizes in the 21st Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) on August 22, 2011 at the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City.

The “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” won the top spot in the poster category and third place in the research category. The study was a joint effort of Lelisa Teodosio, Malco Teodosio, Rogelio Felizardo, Arlene dela Cruz, Anna Mae Relingo, Edito Agustin, Roberto Saladar, Margie Sumanga and Marilyn Romaquin of said university. Meanwhile, the “Yield and Fruit Quality of Rambutan under Different Timing and Levels of GA3 Application” by Marilyn Romaquin, Michael Ibisate and Eva Orlina won second in the poster category.

Collaborators of the winning research paper

share the award and recognition for ASU.

Other papers presented in the symposium were the “Inventory on Mangrove-associated Mollusks, Fish and Crustacean Species in ASU-CFMS Reforested Project at Isla Kapispisan, Pinamuk-an, New Washington, Aklan” authored by Regvil de Jose, Eduardo Pastrana and Ryan Basina, and “Sensory Evaluation of Processed Nipa Fruit for Product Development” conducted by Perlita Israel, Rino Andro Inocencio and Marivel Villorente.

Designed to provide venues for discussion of R&D projects and activities in the region and promote collaboration among its member agencies, WESVARRDEC’s 21st RSRDH sought to evaluate researches conducted by the different member agencies and promote interaction between and among

Award-winning posters from ASU

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.

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.

CHSMC hosts 1st SK Kampo Kalikasan

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

“To contribute to the worldwide efforts of mitigating problems and issues on our environment,” the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) Fortune Towne Campus led the environmental youth camp dubbed as the first Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kampo Kalikasan June 1, 2011 at the University of Saint La Salle (USLS) Eco-park in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City.

Themed “Dare to be Different,” Kampo Kalikasan was organized by the Students’ Actions Vital to the Environment and Mother Earth Movement or (SAVE ME Movement) of the CHMSC Fortune Towne Campus with the leadership and support of Barangay Estefania SK chaired by Karen P. Villarosa.

A national organization registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), SAVE ME Movement was named Ten Accomplished Youth Organization Awardee in 2006 and one of the Top Ten Youth Outstanding Organizations in the Philippines in 2003.

Attended by some 70 youth participants from Barangay Estefania, the Kampo Kalikasan is one the strategies launched as a response to the research findings conducted Dr. Ma Teresita Ballados. Ballados’s study found that the residents of Bacolod City have poor solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. SWM includes waste segregation, collection and transport, disposal and recycling.

Sampling some 269 respondents from Barangay 10, Barangay 19, Sum-ag and Estefania, all of Bacolod City, said study found that waste disposals are rampant in the streets, rivers and open sewerage.

After Dr. Eduardo G. Sayson, executive director of CHMSC Fortune Towne, opened the program, Mr. David G. Castor of the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation (NFEF, Inc.) provided participants a national situationer, stressing on the present condition of the Philippine biodiversity.

Castor also shared on the importance of environmental education to help increase environmental awareness among constituents and to facilitate social programs and projects to maintain a sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

Prof. Jethro B. Dagunan of CHMSC lectured on climate change and the phenomenal causes of the problem and concrete possible solutions as regards solid waste management under Republic Act No. 9003.

After the youth camp, the CHMSC Fortune Towne, spearheaded by the SAVE ME Movement, will organize the Barangay Estefania Youth who are envisioned to become movers of the possible solutions of the SWM problem implementation and disaster risk mitigation in Bacolod City.

Publish more articles, RACG reps urged

By Van Kristine Mendoza

Representative

Regional Applied Communication Group

West Visayas State University

“Write more articles on activities from your own agencies,” Dr. Cora Navarra of the Capiz State University (CapSU), coordinator of Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) of the WESVARRDEC urged the representatives to submit more articles and have them published on several media.

The RACG coordinator made the pronouncement before RACG representatives of the consortium’s partner member agencies during their second Quarterly Meeting on July 7, 2011 at the Dumalag FITS Center in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz. said that over 40 articles were written by WESVARRDEC’s RACG and staff in the first two quarters of the year. Said articles were posted on wesvarrdec.blogspot.com, a blogsite maintained by RACG and on wesvarrdec.org, a web portal updated by the Regional Management Information Systems Group (RMISG) led by Nilo Araneta of UP Visayas.

Most of these articles were picked up by the PCARRD portal maintained by the Applied Communication Division (ACD) headed by Director Lily Ann Lando and were also published by Panay News, an Iloilo City-based daily broadsheet with national circulation.

“Bisan ano nga activity or event sa inyo agency o sang inyo mangin maayo nga balita (Any activity or event in your agency or your MS that is well packaged becomes news worthy of publication),” Navarra said.

According to Navarra, RACG even needs to beef up the production of articles because the impact of the articles has been overwhelmingly beneficial in promoting the products of the region’s farmer scientists and FITS Centers. The more articles, the better the promotion, Navarra said.

Prolific publication of said articles has also helped the consortium because it promotes the activities of Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) through media exposure. For one, the McNester products, particularly the mango ketchup and mango sauce, of MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of FITS OPA Guimaras have received more orders from local and foreign buyers owing to the worldwide publicity afforded to the said farmer scientist.

“Manami gid kung ma-interview kag ma-package ninyo ang inyong Magsasakang Siyentista through articles para ma-replicate man sang iban sang ila technology nga ginagamit, (It would be best if you could personally interview your MS and their technologies and write about them so others could replicate these technologies,” Navarra said, citing that if at all, the consortium’s MS need all possible media coverage that they can get.

According to Navarra, some of the published articles will be included in The WESVARRDEC Monitor, the consortium’s publication published twice a year.

The WESVARRDEC RACG led by Coordinator Cora Navarra

of Capiz State University (seated, second from left) held their

meeting at the Dumalag FITS Center under the leadership of

Manager Ronelyn de Tomas (seated, third from left).

It’s hard. It’s like wood. It’s FITS Dumalag's engineered bamboo.

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Representative

Carlos Hilado Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

With reports from Bernie Protacio and Niño Manaog

Photos by Jethro B. Dagunan & WESVARRDEC RMIS

A substitute for expensive, hard-to-find hardwood furniture material can be found in the town of Dumalag in the province of Capiz.

This is the engineered bamboo made by Mr. Randy Fancubila, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz.

The said MS commodity caught the attention of the representatives of the Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during their second quarter meeting held at Dumalag FITS Center on July 7, 2011.

Fancubila’s engineered bamboo can be considered the result of Filipino ingenuity and innovativeness. Fancubila makes engineered bamboo planks. Procedures involve making bamboo slats of the same size and length, smoothening each slat and applying glue on one surface of each slat and sticking one on top of another. Then it is compressed using a compressing machine, and then a sturdy bamboo board is finished.

Fancubila’s engineered bamboo undergoes several procedures. First, the bamboos are soaked in boiling water treated with insecticide or chemicals like Cymbush, WoodTech and DOT. The first two insecticides make the material bukbok-proof while the last one cleans the material’s texture. Then, bamboo slats are sun-dried. Then, using a thickness planer, MS Fancubila turns out flat moldings through surfacing. The flat moldings or layers are then glued using a woodworking adhesive. After a sanding sealer polishes the materials they are dried and polished with abrasive paper. After the slats are colored or varnished, they are dried for three to six hours. Then the bamboo boards are finished and ready.

MS Fancubila’s finished material looks like plywood which can be used in making beautiful furniture like table. Fancubila’s engineered bamboo table looks like a unique wood or plywood. Its thickness depends on the number of bamboo wood layers piled and compressed. According to MS Fancubila, this finished material is termite-resistant because it is treated with insect repellants and chemicals.

Because the use of hardwood for furniture and housing nowadays is expensive, going back to using bamboo as hardwood substitute is very practical and economical. In fact, well-prepared bamboo planks can compete well with hardwood in the local and foreign markets.

MS Randy Fancubila (right) entertains queries on his bamboo technology

from a walk-in visitor of the FITS Dumalag booth during the WESVARRDEC's

first Regional Technop Gabay Summit and Technomart at the Amigo Plaza Mall

in Iloilo City in May this year.