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OCTOBER 2021 | Vol. XIII Issue 10 ISSN 2094-3991 Bicol University, Legazpi City Telefax No. (052) 480-0167
PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX
Well-governed System - (L-R) Dir. Rosalinni V. Moneda, Dr. Jennifer T. Barrameda, Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, Atty. Daisy P. Bragais and Dir. Sharon Farida A. Flores in recognizing Bicol University with Bronze Award under the Enhanced PRIME-HRM on October 13, 2021.
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BUzzette A
CSC recognizes BU with PRIME-HRM Bronze Award
s we celebrate this year’s World Teacher’s Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic, may we all tip our hats to our teachers who tirelessly and passionately guide the journey of our students as they navigate a new learning environment. Taking on the journey as a metaphor for learning, students are like travelers who need teachers as tour guides to lead them through new concepts, ideas and discoveries in world that is undeniably becoming digital. Akin to savvy tour guides, teachers provide the much needed knowledge and wisdom to take their travelers on their unique learning journeys. They provide inspiration, encouraging those who face a steep learning curve, to continue the journey despite the winding roads and potholes along the way. Tour guides remind the travelers that learning is a journey. As such, “arriving at a destination” is not the end goal as learning is a continuous process. To the 632 efficient and passionate teachers of Bicol University, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to your commitment to provide “world-class” education to our students even in the midst of the crisis. Thank you for your sacrifices and willingness to adopt new learning pedagogies in order to adapt to the new learning environment. To all the BUeños, may you all find the time to thank your teachers for their inspiring dedication in making this world a better place. Happy World Teacher’s Day!
News | P3 BUTC alumnus study on Tilapia Sex Redirection receives awards, recognition
AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER
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n recognition for a well-managed and implemented human resource management system, Bicol University, represented by President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and BU HRMDO Supervising Administrative Officer Dr. Jennifer T. Barrameda, received the Bronze Award under the Enhanced Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIMEHRM), at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Regional Office V on October 13, 2021. The Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) is the CSC’s initiative of becoming Asia’s Center of Excellence in Strategic Human Resource
and Organizational Development by 2030. Using Assess, Assist, and Award strategy, CSC believes that human resource management will continuously improve and ensure competence of public servants. Present also in the ceremony were Dir. Sharon Farida A. Flores, Director II, CSC Albay Field Office, Dir. Rosalinni V. Moneda, Acting Director III, CSC-ROV, and Atty. Daisy P. Bragais, Director IV, CSC-ROV. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and BU were among the awardees in the province of Albay.
BUTC alumnus snags 9th spot in 2021 FTLE; 12 other passers produced icol University was able to secure from B its Board of Regents 35 million for the Information System Strategic Plan (ISSP)
submitted and prepared by Dr. Aris J. Ordoñez, Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO) Director; the first of its kind among SUCs in Bicol. This also marks BU as the first State University and Colleges (SUCs) in the Bicol region to propose an overall upgrade in the ICT infrastructure that includes its satellite campuses amounting to 700 million. BU currently lacks a network backbone capable of providing dependable and consistent network services and internet access to its many components according to ISSP. The current network design of the
Feature | P4-5 CN wins 1st place, CE 2nd on international competition for local innovation pitching
university was not based on standards, prone to attenuations, not manageable, and could not be fine-tuned. BUTC alumnus | P7
BUzzette | P7 BU joins PAFES through MOA
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The BUzzette
NEWS
Supporting Development - Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and Prof. Jerry Bigornia with Gov. Al Francis C. Bichara, Mr. Macario Pavia and Ms. Mayflor A. Deang were present during the signing of Deed of Donation on October 15, 2021 at the Governor’s Conference Room.
Provincial Government of Albay donates land to BU
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The Provincial Government of Albay (PGA), through the initiatives of Gov. Al Francis C. Bichara, transferred the ownership of land properties, through a Deed of Donation, to Bicol University (BU) on October 15, 2021. The donation involved a total land area of 16.4 hectares which the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) has been using as part of its laboratory since its establishment in 1912. Consisting of eight (8) lots from three (3) land titles which were in the possession of the
Local Government Unit of Guinobatan, the PGA initiated the donation in consideration of the paramount interest and in support of the programs and development objectives of the university. Part of the agreement between the PGA and BU is for said properties to be utilized and exclusively used for the improvement of facilities of the University that will result to competitive and quality tertiary education. The Deed of Donation was signed on October 15 at the Governor’s Conference Room by BU and the PGA represented by
Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and Gov. Bichara, respectively. Also present during the signing of the Deed of Donation were Prof. Jerry Bigornia, VP for Planning and Development of BU; Mr. Macario Pavia, Chief of the Provincial Planning and Development Office; and Ms. Mayflor A. Deang from the Office of Provincial Treasurer. With the signing of the Deed of Donation, the PGA turned over to BU the land titles of the said properties. The next step, according to Pres. Mascariñas, will be the transfer of land titles to BU.
BCAARRD celebrates with DOST in Pre-NSTW, BRICE
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n support to the Department of Science and Technology’s endeavors, the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD) virtually attended the Pre-National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) and Bicol Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (BRICE) on October 12 to 14, 2021. With the theme, Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon! DOST V’s
Regional Director, Mr. Rommel R. Serrano, stressed in his message the importance of the event to showcase different technologies generated by the region. “Ngayong 2021 Pre-NSTW, ay ibabandila natin ang mga abilidad ng ating sayantipikong komunidad at mga programa, proyekto, at serbisyo ng aming ahensya sa pagpapa unlad ng aming agham at teknolohiya,” he said. As part of the celebration, BCAARRD Director Dr. Marissa N. Estrella attended
as the resource person during the S&T Consortia’s Research Colloquium Day. Dr. Estrella discussed the Consortium’s Research and Extension Initiatives and gave a brief introduction on what BCAARRD is all about. The S&T Consortia’s Research Colloquium Day featured three Consortiums in Bicol, namely the Bicol Consortium for Industry Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development BCAARRD | P6
AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Dr. Renelyn E. Bautista Associate Editor Gladys S. Serafica Circulation Manager Mary Ann M. See & Julie M. Isaac Photographer & Layout Artist Cherry Grace H. Calisin News Writer Arnold C. Noda Graphic Artist Reynalyn C. Cernechez Contributors Marvy Claire N. Mortega, Gremil Alessandro Alcazar Naz, Jerome Cortuna, Julianne Nicolle G. Moral, Mayca C. Alim and CHED Regional Office V Facebook Page Editorial Consultants Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan & Dr. Reina O. Habalo Overall Consultant/Publisher Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas
A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Chan
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The BUzzette
NEWS
BUTC alumnus study on Tilapia Sex Redirection receives awards, recognition A
bel E. Arevalo Jr., fisheries graduate from the Bicol University Tabaco Campus, claimed the first prize during the Bicol Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (BRICE) LIKHA Award held on October 12 to 14, 2021. With his study on the Method of Sex Redirection of Tilapia (oreochromis niloticus) using Pepper Leaf Powder (piper nigrum), the young researcher will represent Bicol region to the National Invention Contest and Exhibit this year. To date, his scientific research was presented at four regional and international research conferences and earned recognition. He received the Best Conference Paper award under Natural and Physical Science Category and 2nd Best Video Presenter award under Agri-Fishery Category during the 2nd International Research
Conference on Technology, Engineering, Culture and Society (IRConTECS) 2021. The conference was headed by the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) in partnership with the International Cross-Cultural Exchange and Professional Development (ICEPD) -Thailand and co-hosted by the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC). He participated at the International WebCon on Technology Research, Innovation, and Commercialization in Entrepreneurship (TRICE 2021) organized by BU-SILI DELI and BU CTCED on July 5 to 7, 2021. He received the Best Paper and Best in Oral Presentation award under the Agri-Fisheries Technology, Equipment, and Implementation. He presented the same study at the 16th National Symposium on Marine Science organized by the Philippine Association of Marine Science hosted by Caraga State University, in partnership with the USAID FishRight Program and supported by Oceana wherein more than 270 marine researchers participated on July 22 to 24, 2021. He was also one of the presenters to the 9th Annual Regional Virtual Convention and Scientific Sessions of the Biology Teachers Association Inc.
Award-winning - Abel E. Arevalo Jr., fisheries graduate from BU Tabaco Campus, receives awards and recognition with his study on TIlapia Sex Redirection.
Bicol Chapter with the theme, Biologybased Innovation and Transformation for Sustainability and Resiliency amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, organized by the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) – BIOTA from March 12 to 14, 2021. (Jerome Cortuna/BUTC)
BU vaccinates 50% students, 91% faculty, 96% non-teaching - CHED O n a Facebook post reporting the list of HEIs on their vaccination status, CHED revealed that Bicol University has achieved 50% vaccination rate for students, 91% for faculty members, and 96% for the non-teaching personnel as of October 30, 2021. BU Main Campus is the only State University and Colleges (SUCs) listed in the region achieving 50% vaccination
rate for its students. On the other hand, BU Polangui Campus and Main Campus were among those maintaining an above 90% vaccination rate, and 91% overall, for the faculty members. Meanwhile, non-teaching personnel from Tabaco Campus, College of Agriculture and Forestry, Main Campus, and Polangui Campus
nge Agents for Social Transformation and Development.
were also listed in the above 90% vaccination rate with a 96% overall turnout. The data collected will be one of the bases for conducting classes in the new normal, with CHED considering a potential face-to-face setup to cities or municipalities with high vaccination rates and low COVID-19 transmission.
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Padayon, Bicol University!
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Ueños from the College of Nursing and College of Education won the 1st and 2nd place on the 2021 International Youth Sustainability Leadership (IYSL)
Online – Sustainability Goals (SDGs) Innovation Competition held via Zoom conference from October 16 to 24, 2021. The international competition brought students, teachers, and local communities to ponder the problems/ challenges in the local context and to make joint efforts to tackle the problems. The judging criteria was based on the proposal’s innovativeness, alignment with SDGs
BU College of Education represented by Aureus Ken S. Pupa, Charles V. Calais, Relyn M. Guan, Kriztel A. Ramirez, and Jay-Ar N. Lucila with adviser Prof. Ryan G. de la Torre
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and community influence, feasibility, and team performance. Only partner universities and institutions were allowed to enter the competition. These were Bicol University, National Chung Hsing University,
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BU College of Nursing represented by Garcia, and Rio G. Hemady w
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al co mpetit g n i h n c t i p o i t a ion for local innov National Pingtung University, National University of Kaohsiung, Nong Lam University, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, R.O.C. Air Force Academy,
Jave Andrae M. Lotivio, Mary Claire R. with adviser Dr. Mary Joy Sande
and Universitas Tanjungpura. CN, represented by Jave Andrae M. Lotivio, Mary Claire R. Garcia, and Rio G. Hemady with adviser Dr. Mary Joy Sande, proposed the Reproductive Health Education Awareness and Services: Providing Health Solutions to Filipino People (RHEAS) and won 1st place with a $2000 award and certificates of merit.
s gent A e hang pment. C d n o ers a d Devel d a e n L cing mation a u d o r r ity P Transfo s r e v i l s Un ocia s S a l r o f ld-C
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Meanwhile, CE represented by Aureus Ken S. Pupa, Charles V. Calais, Relyn M. Guan, Kriztel A. Ramirez, and Jay-Ar N. Lucila with adviser Prof. Ryan G. de la Torre, pitched the Project Equity in Literacy and Education: Vivifying Appropriate Time-bound Effect (ELEVATE) and won 2nd place with a $1500 award and certificates of merit as well.
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The BUzzette
NEWS
BU-OVPRDE holds regional research and extension conference T
o disseminate the research, development, and extension (RD&E) results of researchers and extensionists from Bicol University (BU) and other higher educational institutions in the region, the Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension held an online conference on October 26-27. The event was called the 7th Regional Conference on promoting World-class Education; 4th Regional Research, Development and Extension Conference; and 33rd BU In-House Review of Completed RD&E Research. The conference featured plenary talks from academicians, parallel presentation of RD&E papers, open fora, and poster presentations. The parallel sessions included six thematic areas that comprise the research thrusts of BU. These were Environment and Natural Resource Systems Management and Development; Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction; SocioEconomics, Culture, and Governance; Health Systems Management and Development; Inclusive Education and Lifelong Learning; and Food & Nutrition Security and Poverty Reduction. The plenary speakers were Dr. Von Anthony G. Torio of the De La Salle University, Manila; Dr. Nida H. Garcia of the Philippine School Doha, Qatar; and Dr. Rogelio I. Espiritu of the University of the East, Manila. Dr. Freddie T. Bernal, regional director of the Commission on Higher Education delivered the keynote address. A total of 70 papers were presented during the parallel sessions. Of this number, 46 were competing while 18 were noncompeting. There were also 6 posters shown. At the end of the conference, the best papers were declared for each thematic area. These were: • Environment and Natural Resource System Management and Development (tie): Status of Corals and Reef-Fish Assemblage of the Marine Conservation Park of Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines (Researchers: Ronnel R. Dioneda, Romeo Asejo, Raul Burce, Caryl A. Dioneda); and Phylogenetic Diversity and Host Specificity of Culturable Fungal Foliar Endophytes in Mangrove Species Across Bicol Region, Philippines (Researchers: Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero Marianne Yssabelle Ll. Sabdao, Jocelyn E. Serrano, Ma. Jesseca M. Bombita, Eliza Joyce M. Perillo, Mheljor A. General)
• Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction: Bio-Ecological Status of Major Rivers of Donsol Sorsogon: Inputs for Integrated Coastal Area Management for Sustainable Whale Shark Ecotourism (Researchers: Ronnel R. Dioneda Sr., Janette N. Ariola, Eunice A. Dioneda, Andrea Pimental-Paz, Raul B. Burce • Socio-Economics, Culture, and Governance: Community-Based Language Development of Central Bikol (Researchers: Ryan G. dela Torre, Aries S. Perez) • Health Systems Management and Development: Responsiveness of Graduate Nursing Research Outputs to Global Development Goals from 2000-2019 (Researcher: Ma. Elma Mirandilla) • Inclusive Education and Lifelong Learning: Analysis of Flexible Pedagogy Towards a Framework During Educational Disruption (Researcher: Rebecca Rosario O. Bercasio) • Food & Nutrition Security and Poverty Reduction: Prevalance of Phytophthora colocasiae and Phenol Content Among the Taro (Colocasia esulenta) varieties in Guinobatan and Camalig, Albay, Philippines (Researchers: Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero, Eliza Joyce M. Perillo, Jazzlyn T. Imperial, Joan N. Mallorca, Jocelyn E. Serrano, Ma.
Jessica M. Bombita) Meanwhile, the winner in the poster presentation was Community-Based Language Development of Bikol-Albay by Benita Balla-Hugo and Gayle Ann BahiaAbrigo. The full list of winners may be accessed at https://web.facebook.com/BicolUniversity/ photos/pcb.4988326717862016/4988324421 195579/. All winners shall be given cash prizes. (written by: Gremil Alessandro Alcazar Naz)
(BCIEERD) with Dir. Niño Jeffrey L. Luzon as resource person, and Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) with Dir. Ofelia Samar-Sy also as resource person. Furthermore, the event also included Dr. Ernie V. Vera, Director of Department of Health – Bicol Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD V), as resource speaker. The presentations of the event were followed by an open forum. The whole video documentation with the question-andanswer portion can be viewed at DOST Region V’s Facebook Page. BCAARRD | P2
(written by: Julianne Nicolle G. Moral SRA/ BCAARRD)
A World-Class University Producing Leaders and Change
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The BUzzette
NEWS
Enhancing Agriculture - Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs), academic institutions, and private sectors together with Bicol University through President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas signed the Province-led Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) MOA Signing that aims enhanced agricultural plans and programs on October 19, 2021.
BU joins PAFES through MOA
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n support of its mission to build a strong partnership between the Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs), academic institutions, and private sectors, Bicol University, through President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), joining the Province-led Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) on October 19, 2021 at the Pepperland Hotel Event Centre, Legazpi City. As one of the 18 Key Strategies in the DA Reform Agenda, PAFES will enhance agricultural plans and programs, as well as coordinate the activities of various stakeholders. Priority projects in the provinces will be co-planned, co-invested, co-implemented, and co-monitored by DA, particularly when they embark on commodity specializations to maximize comparative advantage. The MOA was also signed in partnership
with the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) represented by Hon. Al Francis Bichara, Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Council (PAFC) represented by its Chairperson Rene A. De Los Reyes, Albay Business Club (ABC) represented by its president Atty. Fiona Mae Corral-Bobis, and the Albay Agriculture Cooperative (ACC) represented by its Chairman Jose C. San Jose. In this collaboration, the university’s roles are the following: Organize and deploy a dedicated core of subject matter experts for the PAF Extension Center’s oncall service.; Test, adapt, and package site specific and climate resilient technologies in strategic locations of the province in collaboration with appropriate national, regional, and international agencies, farmers, and fisherfolk; Collaborate with partners to build up technologies, demonstration farms, and field days on key commodities; Train farmers, agricultural extension workers, and
subject matter specialists, as well as create, manufacture, and disseminate knowledge goods in the province’s native tongue and; Share information and technologies to farmers and fisherfolks through electronic media and web-based platforms. Organized by DA and PGA, the MOA signing ceremony commenced with welcome remarks delivered by Albay Governor Hon. Al Francis Bichara followed by messages from 2nd District Representative Hon. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, 3rd District Representative Hon. Fernando T. Cabredo, AKB Representative Hon. Alfredo A. Garbin Jr., and DA Sec. William D. Dar. Afterwards, the ceremonial MOA signing was held participated by the involved agencies and organizations. The program was hosted by DAR 5 Information Officers Annielyn L. Baleza and Jayson B. Gonzales. Strict health and safety protocols were observed in the conduct of the activity.
As the demand of the university grew, the ISSP intends to improve BU’s present ICT infrastructure and services by implementation of the following strategic plans: To provide a reliable, robust, manageable, and disaster resilient ICT infrastructure for the next 20 years; create a facility that would provide the different offices, units, agencies, students, faculty members, administrators, and personnel an easy access to information, communication, and security; enhance the delivery of services through the development and implementation of interconnected information systems that would complement the functions of BU’s offices, units, and agencies; and improve the delivery of education through the use of the state-ofthe-art laboratories, facilities, and system
applications. In three years, the following ICT projects are set to be implemented: a fiber optic university-wide network backbone, structured cabling, improvement of Network Operations Center, Data Center establishment, sustainability program, campus-wide Wi-Fi access, security and surveillance system, VOIP telephony system, mass notification system, digital signage, IP paging, master clock, power backup and protection, data center physical security, common computer laboratories improvement, creation of specialized laboratories, and virtual classrooms. On the other hand, the following information systems are: the Inventory Management System, Human Resource Management System, University Payroll
System, Student Information System (enhancement of the existing ORS), Document Tracking System, Research and Extension Projects Information System, Procurement Management System, Learning Management System, and Library Management System (enhancement of the existing e-library). Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with BU on June 24, 2021 for the smart campus development program granting the university 24.1M. This partnership is in line to the ISSP in improving the IT infrastructure and facilities in the university specifically for the efficient and sustainable delivery of the Learning Management System. (Marvy Claire N. Mortega/BUTC)
BUTC alumnus | P1
e Agents for Social Transformation and Development.
BU-STEP program concludes, more than 500 heads undergo entrep training
Taking STEP - Center for Technology Commercialization and Enterprise Development (CTCED) technical staff and CBEM faculty member Prof. Crestia Bańares together with the other attendees during the closing ceremony of Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion (STEP) on October 19, 2021.
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fter three years of successful implementation of the Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion (STEP) in Bicol University, the UNESCO National Commission (UNACOM) of the Philippines held the virtual closing ceremony on October 19, 2021. STEP strives to improve young people’s abilities, knowledge, and confidence in order for them to pursue a career as an entrepreneur. As of this year, more than 7,000 students underwent the program from different countries across the globe - Uganda, South Africa, Mexico, and Philippines. Since its establishment in 2018 and through the university’s focal persons,
College of Business Economics and Management (CBEM) Dean Dr. Eddie See and Center for Technology Commercialization and Enterprise Development (CTCED) technical staff and CBEM faculty member Prof. Crestia Bañares, UNACOM PH revealed that the students who took part in the research took 12 modules over the course of three months. More than 500 university entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial students have benefited from the STEP program, which has provided them with advanced entrepreneurial skillsets. Initially, STEP was implemented in six colleges or programs: social sciences and philosophy, arts and letters, science, health and nursing, industrial technology, and
engineering in the university according to Prof. Crestia, program manager of BU STEP, during her talk on the setbacks, successes, and way forwards of STEP. The inaugural STEP research found an 18 percent start-up rate in the university in terms of entrepreneurial goal intents, action planning, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and business opportunity identification. This also resulted to a 200% increase start-up rate since its inception. BU has begun the development of STEP educational materials with Filipino translation on June 2021. A webinar on green entrepreneurship dubbed, Greentech Innovation Hackathon was held in September the same year.
BCAARRD participates on three-day virtual sessions, Inter-Agency Consultation Meeting on DA-RAFMP planning
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epartment of Agriculture (DA) conducted the Inter-Agency Consultation Meeting and Planning of RAFMP on October 20 to 22, 2021 via Zoom. The invited partner agencies, including the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), as one of the component members on Research, Development, and Extension, took part in the virtual conference. On the first day of the virtual session, Engr. Gilbert S. Salcedo, OICChief RAED, Ms. Aloha Gigi I. Bañaria, Chief PMED, and Engr. Luisito R. Baltazar, OIC-Section Chief RAEDPPMS, presented and discussed the RAFMP 2017-2022 Assessment Result, DA’s consultation outputs related to Agri-Fishery Mechanization, and overview of RAFMP 2022-2027. An
open forum was facilitated by DA after the presentation of data to let participants, including BCAARRD, raise their questions and suggestions. On the second day, Breakout Sessions and Write-shops commenced together with the participating agencies. Participants were divided into five components relative to the discussed plans in RAFMP. BCAARRD is one of the component members of the RDE. On the last day of the virtual session, participants presented the output from the breakout session and write shop that was held prior. This three-day virtual sessions aims to share data about the Department of Agriculture-Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan for 20222027. This is also a call for consultation to the partner agencies that attended the said activity to improve the
structural planning on the agricultural sector and fisheries mechanization. DA quoting one of the statements of the DA Secretary Dr. William D. Dar reiterates the need to “have a better parameter… you are excluding the best technologies if you are just considering the number of years that they are present in the market. What are the best parameters for farm mechanization? Hindi yung nakasanayan na, dahil nauna na sila sa mercado. There must be an equal playing field and may the best technology forward to be utilized by our farmers,” as DA quoted a statement from Secretary Through the unity and goal of DA and its component agency, this mechanization may help farmers and fisher folks strengthen their livelihood and increase the importance of the agricultural and fisheries sector. (written by Mayca C. Alim, SA)