Mariano Marcos
State University

ILAARRDEC vies for top spot in DOST Ugnay Awards

By Ian Paul Villanueva

The MMSU-based Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) set its sights on claiming the top award in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ugnay Awards 2026 during its virtual oral presentation of its accomplishments on July 2.

The presentation featured the consortium’s major milestones and contributions to the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors during the 2024-2025 period. It was led by MMSU Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation Nathaniel Alibuyog, who also serves as ILAARRDEC Director.

Among the many accomplishments of ILAARRDEC, Dr. Alibuyog cited the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER)-supported Garlic R&D, Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation Program, and One in Accelerating Salt Innovation project, as well as the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Program, as some of the consortium’s major strategic research and development initiatives.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., who chairs the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council, was also present during ILAARRDEC’s presentation. Dr. Alibuyog and Dr. Manzano were joined by ILAARRDEC technical working group coordinators, Dr. Dionisio Bucao (Regional R&D Cluster), Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas (Regional Science Communication Cluster), Dr. Love Grace Campano (Regional Information Technology Cluster), Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino (Regional Technology Transfer Cluster), and other technical working groups from different member agencies.

A biennial contest sponsored by the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), the Ugnay Awards recognizes regional consortia that excel in advancing science, technology, and innovation to meet regional research and development needs.

During the presentations, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora emphasized that, rather than just being a competition, the awards serve to celebrate the collective accomplishments of Philippine research institutions in the AANR sectors.

From six competing consortia, the internal and external evaluation committees will select the top three winners. The grand prize winner will receive PHP2 million and a trophy, while the first and second runners-up will take home PHP1.5 million and PHP1 million, respectively. A PHP3 million cash grant awaits any consortium that achieves a three-year consecutive win to enter the Hall of Fame.

While the coveted Ugnay award has eluded the consortium in recent years, ILAARRDEC is no stranger to the honor, having bagged the PCAARRD Most Outstanding Consortium title thrice: in 1996, 2004, and 2012.