NBERIC steps up nipa bioenergy project in Aparri
By Jareason Fabre
The MMSU National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC) renewed efforts to sustain nipa-based bioenergy initiatives in Aparri, Cagayan, through a two-day monitoring and coordination visit on September 7-8.
The visit aimed to assess the current condition of the distillation facility under the USAID-WARP Village-Scale Nipahol Distillation Project, address operational concerns, and strengthen coordination with local partners to ensure continued use of the project's outputs.
On September 7, NBERIC advance team, composed of Engr. John Ian Asuncion, Mr. John Paul Agcaoili, Mr. Lord Hendritch Casil, Mr. Ruben Nalundasan, Mr. Rolando Rodrigo, and Engr. Shaina Louise Soto, conducted repair and troubleshooting activities at the distillation facility.
Following the technical interventions, the team carried out a trial run to assess the facility's operational condition and identify concerns that may need further attention.
The team also met with members of the KKK Cooperative for project updates and initial discussions on the proposed establishment of a nipa demonstration farm in Aparri. The team also paid a courtesy call on the local barangay council to strengthen coordination and local support for the continuing project activities.
On September 8, NBERIC Director Dr. James Paul Madigal and Prof. Marjorie Garcia (Chief for Socio-economic, Technopreneurship, and Partnership) joined the team for a courtesy visit with Mayor Engr. Dominador “Ambo” Dayag Jr. They discussed the project's trajectory and secured local government support for its next phases.
The team later met with representatives of Cagayan State University to explore potential areas for research collaboration. Discussions centered on opportunities to support the continuing development of nipa-related initiatives through research and technical collaboration.
The delegation also checked the distillation facility to inspect its current status and operations following the repair and trial activities conducted earlier in the visit.
The two-day engagement enabled NBERIC and its local partners to assess the project's current status, address concerns at the distillation facility, and identify possible actions to support its continued operation.
More importantly, the visit opened discussions on two complementary areas for the project's next phase: strengthening research collaboration and establishing a nipa demonstration farm in Aparri.
Through continued technical monitoring, local coordination, and research partnerships, NBERIC seeks to sustain the utilization of the project's outputs and further explore the potential of nipa as a resource for bioenergy initiatives in the municipality.
The university's work with Aparri on nipa-based bioenergy began years ago through the efforts of then MMSU bioethanol researcher Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, an Aparri native and former MMSU president who now serves as chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Her work helped establish the partnership between MMSU and the municipality and set the stage for succeeding nipa-related activities in the town.
Sep, 21, 2026 10:04:am
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