Researches of the various CMIs of ILAARRDEC bagged awards in the oral and poster presentations during the ILAARRDEC Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights this March 16-17, 2021.

Twelve researches were presented for oral presentation and eleven research and development initiatives for poster presentation. These researches were shortlisted from the 44 researches for the Oral Presentation (38 for Research category and 6 for Development category) and 19 research and development initiatives for poster presentation (16 for Research category and three for Development category) during the Pre-Regional Symposium last December 2020.

As a venue for healthy competition among the consortium member agencies, the symposium awarded the second and third Best Papers in the two categories of the Oral and Poster Presentation. These papers shall complement the first placers of the award selected and endorsed during the Pre-regional Symposium as the official entries of the consortium for the National Symposium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) of PCAARRD.

With the theme, Kapatagan at Karagatan ay Pangaagaan para sa Mataas na Ani at Kita sa Gitna ng Pandemya, the OIC Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture-Region 1, Dir. Nestor Domenden, shared insights be being the Keynote Speaker of the Regional Symposium.

For the Paper Presentation in the Research Category, the research on Sustainable Conservation, Utilization, and Promotion of Plant Genetic Resources: The Case of Ilocandia’s Indigenous Food Plants bagged the first place with researchers Menisa Antonio, Epifania Agustin, Noralyn Legaspi, Maria Concepcion Birginias, Rodel Utrera, Dionisio Jamias, Araceli Badar, Maingeline Vivit, Zenaida Agngarayngay, Evangeline Galacgac, Lea Agbigay, Vinamay Cabugon, Christine Quiapo, Lagrimas Flojo, and Josefa Pugat of the MMSU Research Directorate.

Second is the paper presentation of PhilRice-Batac on Technology Without a Salt: Development of an Integrated Crop Management Package for Rice in Saline Areas with researchers Nenita Desamero, Anielyn Alibuyog, Bethzaida Catudan, Ahlfie James Galanza, Melvin Andres, Sonia Pojas, Luzell Pungtilan, Evelyn Valdez, Ma. Salome Duca, Jasper Tallada, Fredelyn dela Cruz, Jonalyn Polipol, and Reynaldo Castro.

The paper, Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) – Phase 2, garnered the third place with researchers Nathaniel Alibuyog, Virgilio Julius Manzano, Jr., Rodel Utrera, Julius Jimenez, Jommel Agreda, Hazel Agngarayngay, Evangeline Galacgac, Alecsis Villarin, and Josefa Pugat.

For the Development Category, the "Strengthening and Sustaining Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) of Mariano Marcos State University of Dionisio Bucao, Alecsis Villarin, Mishael Joy Barrera, Christian Butch Andrew Balbas, Catalino Barroga, and Christian Mark Aganus of the MMSU IP-TBM Project obtained the top spot.

This was followed by another paper from MMSU, the Promotion and Commercialization of Developed Biopesticides (Biofungicides and Biopinsecticides) for Selected Vegetables in Ilocos by the team of Leticia Lutap, Alecsis Villarin and Jonathan Ramos which garnered the second place.

Third place is the paper of the Department of Agriculture-Region 1 on Enhancing Farmers Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change through Community-based Participatory Action Research on Climate Resilient Agricultural Technologies: The San Emilio, Ilocos Sur Experience with researchers Mary Jane Alcedo, Jovita Datuin, Cathy Pastor, and Jocelyn Tabali.

For the Research Category of the Poster Presentation, the MMSU poster on New Promising Corn Varieties: Recommended for Commercial Release by Mario Remulacio and Constante Julian garnered the first place. The paper, Technical and Economic Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumps against Conventional Water Pumping Systems in the Case of Common Crops in Ilocos Sur of Cherie Orpia, Julius Orpia, and Milagros Liberato from the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College garnered the second place. The third was earned by the poster on Improving Silk Yarn and Silk Fabric using Various Edible Oils as Pre-Treatment Agents by Gizaldy Gaudia of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University.

For the Development Category, the presentation on Enhancing Glutinous Corn Production through Innovative Extension Delivery System in Ilocos Region by Hazel James Agngarayngay and Joana Crosby of the Mariano Marcos State University garnered the first place. This was followed by the poster on Communities Understand and Respect (CURE) the Sea by Richard Rivera, Jaime Manuel, Maey Jane Ortega, and Junifer Rey Tabafunda of DMMMMSU earned the second place. The third place was earned by the poster on Making Life with Giving: NTA Extends Assistance During the Pandemic by Gay Anne Ronduen, Felisa Aurellano, Imelda Rinen, and Robert Bonoan of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).

These researches from Region 1 reflects the drives an efforts of the different government agencies and SUCs to pursue development in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector. With these researches serving as new knowledge and inspiration to researchers all over the region and the country, countryside development enriches itself everyday as we combat the challenges brought by the pandemic.

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