TAU hosts CLAARRDEC’s 29^th Regional Symposium on R&D

         Tarlac Agricultural University, in collaboration with the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC), hosted the 29th Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights on September 28, 2018.

Dr. Max P. Guillermo, TAU President and keynote speaker, noted that the regional symposium showcased the productive and innovative researches of the senior and junior faculty from various Higher Educational Institutions in Region 3 and also senior researchers from agencies such as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 3 (BFAR 3), Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 3 (DA-RF03), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

In his keynote speech, Dr. Guillermo pointed out that the then TCA, now TAU, earned its current standing as SUC Level IV due to the initiative of the administration and faculty-researchers to produce relevant researches and technologies that would help the community partners and farmers in the region. He also added that the sweet potato farmers in TAU benefited from the innovative technologies and researches produced from the TAU Rootcrops Research and Training Center (RRTC), which is headed by Dr. Lilibeth B. Laranang.

Challenges and strategies on R&D were deliberately discussed by Dr. Guillermo. He mentioned that, despite the limited budget allotted for research works, the administration and faculty were encouraged to engage more in research and production in order to suffice the needs of the agricultural sector.

At present, the University is continuously developing its reforestation park at Titi Calao, Mayantoc, Tarlac. Being a dedicated forester himself, Dr. Guillermo proudly shared the innovations on the banner community projects of the University such as sweet potato and bamboo production.

With the symposium, anchored on the theme “Postering Creativity, Innovation and Resiliency in a Challenging S&T Environment,” researchers from different agencies and institutions in the region convened and presented their researchers and developmental projects which are deemed creative, innovative, and timely for the needs and challenges encountered by all community partners in the region and even in national and international milieu.

Dr. Guillermo, along with Dr. Honorio M. Soriano, Jr., the RRDC Chair of CLAARRDEC and PSAU President, and Dr. Tesero A. Abella, CLSU President and member of the CLAARRDEC Executive Board, awarded the plaque and recognition to the 2018 NSAARRD Best in R&D Paper Awardees, Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardees and CSC PAGASA Awardee.

Dr. Michael A. Gragasin, Dr. Irwin V. Salapare, Engr. Jayvee P. Illustrisimo, and Dr. Romualdo C. Martinez bagged the 2nd place of the 2018 NSAARRD Award under the Research Category. Mr. Neal A. Del Rosario landed on the 3rd place under the Development Category.

The National Winners of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award were Dr. Honorio M. Soriao of Pampanga State University; Dr. Sailila E. Abdula and Dr. Norvie L. Manigbas of Philippine Rice Research Institute; and Dr. Michael L. Gragasin of Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

Meanwhile, the CSC Pagasa Award was given to Mr. Roger F. Barroga of Philippine Rice Research Institute.

After the awarding and opening ceremonies, all participants proceeded to their respective venue for the simultaneous research presentations.

The panel of evaluators for the Research Category was composed of Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas and Ms. Anna Marie P. Alo of PCCARD, Dr. Nico Jose Leander of BFAR 3, and Mr. Ricarte V. Castro of DA-BAR.

Papers presented under the Research Category were the following:

The panel of evaluators in the Development Category was composed of Dr. Pastor S. Coloma, former CLAARRDEC Director; Dr. Richard V. Simangan of DTI Nueva Ecija; and Mr. Jose Tomas S. Cabagay of PCAARRD.

Papers presented under the Development Category were the following:

For the Poster Competition, the panel of evaluators was composed of Dr. Jovita B. Agiam of PLGU-Nueva Ecija; Ms. Alicia T. Nicolas of PLGU-Bulacan; and Ms. Inah Cristia M. De Jesus of NEDA 3.

After the whole-day research presentations, the panel of evaluators selected the best paper presenters. In the Research Category, Dr. Edgar Orden of CLSU won the first place; Engr. Arlene Joaquin of PhilMech was the second place; and Dr. Neil Tanquilot of PSAU received the third place. For the Development Category, Ms. Ma. Cecilia Antolin of PhilMech won the first place; Dr. Hermogenes M. Paguia of BPSU was the second place; and Dr. Jessica M. Rustia of CLSU landed on the third place.

For the best poster competition, the following earned recognition:

The formal awarding of the plaque and cash incentives to the said winners was scheduled on November 13, 2018 during the celebration of the Rice Fiesta at PhilRice, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Dr. Fe L. Porciuncula, Director of CLAARRDEC, and Dr. Maria Excelsis M. Orden, Director of CLSU Research Office presented the certificate of appreciation to Dr. Max P. Guillermo, having served as the host of the said regional symposium.