extensiOn services

Office sPearheads day 2 Of InternatiOnal cOnference On research InnOvatiOn and cOmmunity engagement (IcOnrIce)

Bulacan State University (BulSU) held its first hybrid international research paper presentation since the pandemic dubbed as International Conference on Research Innovation and Community Engagement (IConRICE) through the Office of the Vice President for Research Development and Extension together with its international partner, the Wetlands International last December 14-16, 2022.

The three-day conference themed, Research Innovation and Community Engagement: Catalysts in Shaping the Society was generally conducted to be an avenue of opportunity for disseminating cutting edge research findings as well as to expose researchers in their chosen field receiving inputs from experts on how to strengthen their work in return. Day one session was spearheaded by the Research Management Office. Various research paper presentations both in professional and student categories were introduced.

For the second day of IConRICE, in his message, Dr. Teody C. San Andres, Executive Vice President hoped that the conference will help us realize better approaches in solving our social and economic challenges. Dr. Annadel S. Cabanban, Country Representative for Wetlands International expressed her gratitude to BulSU for being part of the conference. She also emphasized the importance of wetlands and gave light on their recent engagement with coastal areas in Bulacan establishing Associated Mangrove Approach.

Covering second day’s morning session headed by the Extension Services Office were the presentations of two international speakers from the Lingnan University, Hong Kong and Wetlands International.

In his discussion, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Albert Ko of Lingnan University, Hongkong tackled humanitarian and inclusive business. (Continued on the next page.)

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Dr. Ko is a Mechanical Engineer and was exposed to humanitarian mission when he was younger. He shared his projects in robotics: search and rescue for earthquake and modular robot. According to Dr. Ko, humanitarian technology is intended to solve the dilemma of climate change, disaster response and global health challenges for a wider range of community especially the underprivileged.

Meanwhile the second guest speaker, Dr. Ritesh Kumar of Wetland International – South Asia discussed the wise use of wetlands. He reiterated in his lecture that ecological character is as important as wetlands character which is part of a system property.

After the discussions, open forum was prioritized. The latter part of the second day of conference was hosted by the Development and Innovation Office.

IConRICE concluded by conducting voluntary field activities as part of Environmental Volunteerism Movement: A Community Engagement Day (EnVMACED). These activities are the simultaneous reforestation activities in upland and coastal areas of Bulacan specifically at Sitio Suha, San Mateo, Norzagaray Bulacan and Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan. A total of 150 participants combined composed of BulSU Administrators, Faculty members, Non-Academic personnel and students joined the activities.

EnVMACED was made possible through the efforts of the Research Management Office, College of Science and the Institute of Environmental Governance.

As part of the International Conference on Research Innovation and Community Engagement’s (IConRICE) voluntary field activities, Environmental Volunteerism Movement: A Community Engagement Day (EnVMACED), a simultaneous tree planting activities were conducted through the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) headed by Ms. Jennifer C. Ignacio and the College of Science in coordination with the Research Management Office at Sitio Suha, San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan and Sitio Pulu-Pulo, Brgy. Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan last December 16, 2022. It was participated in by selected BulSU Administrators, Faculty Members, Non-Academic Personnel, and students together with the Peoples’ Organization, Briquettor Association of the Philippines Inc. (BAPI) and residents of Brgy. Pamarawan.

A total of 500 hardwood and fruit-bearing trees composed of Narra, Firewood and Guyabano were planted in the upland area while 300 Rhizophora seedlings were planted in wetlands. Brgy. Pamarawan is one of the adopted areas of BulSU through the IEG. Numerous mangrove planting activities together with the Wetlands International Philippines were conducted since 2017.

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On the other hand, the 10-hectare site in Norzagaray was awarded to BulSU by DENR is under the NGP or National Greening Program. It is a flagship program of the DENR launched by the then President, Hon. Benigno Aqui- no Jr on 13 May 2011. It has the objective to plant 1.5 bil- lion trees in 1.5 million hectares of land from the period of 6 years from 20112016. On 12 November 2015, a signed Executive Order 193, s2015 expands its coverage from 2016-2028.

Subsequently, in 2019, the DENR forged a partnership with BulSU through its environmental advocate arm, IEG supervised by its former Head, Dr. Elizabeth A. Chua and organized people’s association, the Briquettors Association of the Philippines Inc. to support the program. All parties are expected to collaborate in the adoption of the National Greening Program reforestation areas established in Bulacan under the jurisdiction of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Guiguinto Bulacan (CENRO Guiguinto.)

Included in the provision of MOA is the enrichment of the existing vegetation of the 10-hectare area through planting activities composed of fruitbearing and hardwood trees. Likewise, there shall also be maintenance, monitoring, evaluation and ensured protection of the area for its sustainable growth.