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.

• MMSU conducts 2024 Extension Projects Review

  APR 07, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentThe MMSU Extension Directorate held the 2024 Extension Projects Review on March 21 at the ILAARRDEC One-Stop Information Shop at the Crops Research Laboratory to assess the progress and impact of the university’s completed extension programs.Presenters i... [view more]
• MMSU-Jollibee Group Foundation farmers eye 101-ton white onion yield for 2025

  MAR 21, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentPASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte–Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), and local farmers are poised to increase white onion output from 24,000 kilos in 2024 to 101 tons this year.Farmer-beneficiaries pledged this during the Techn... [view more]
• “Parambak” caps MMSU@47 celebration

  FEB 19, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentTo culminate its 47th Foundation Anniversary, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) hosted the 7th Parambak ditoy MMSU on February 14, emphasizing the impact of its extension and research programs on community development and agricultural innovation.Held in f... [view more]
• MMSU trains Sarrat farmers on corn production and marketing

  APR 02, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentTo boost the production and marketing of MMSU Glut 1 corn, an improved variety of honey corn, the university, in collaboration with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Sarrat, conducted a skills development training for farmers in Brgy. San Andres, Sarrat, on... [view more]
• LGU Burgos partners with MMSU-CIT for teacher training

  JAN 28, 2025

  By Jerylvin RabagoThe local government unit (LGU) of Burgos signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with MMSU on January 20 to enhance the skills and teaching capabilities of local educators through the College of Industrial Technology’s (CIT) banner extension program.Under the CIT’s Upgr... [view more]