The Agriculture and Aquatic Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) of Mariano Marcos State University once again proved its excellence in agri-aqua innovation through its Dap-Ayan Project after receiving the Executive Director’s Award for Outstanding Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator during the inaugural Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Summit Week 2025, held from October 13 to 16 in Tagaytay City.

The recognition was conferred by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST PCAARRD), a testimony to MMSU’s commitment to advancing agri-aqua technologies and empowering local entrepreneurs through innovative incubation programs.

Receiving the award were MMSU-ATBI Project Leader Lei Frances Ribac, along with project staff members Mr. Jerson Coloma, Mr. James Carlo Lucas, Ms. Joyce Alejo, and Ms. Cathlyn Alupay. They were joined by MMSU ATBI incubatee Ms. Infenita Puyot, and MMSU UITSO Chief and IPTBM Project Staff Engr. Artbelson Mamuri.

Other MMSU attendees to the summit, which was led by President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., on the first day, included KM Project Leader Love Grace Campano, ABH Project Leader Ethel Reynda Calivoso, and RAISE Program Ilocos area IPTBM Project Leader Vicky Malaya, who was accompanied by her team from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University: Dr. Kennette Bayani and Ms. Eden Borce.

Meanwhile, the Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM) unit of MMSU, led by Dr. Dionisio Bucao, IPTBM Project leader and Program Leader of RAISE Region 1, was recognized as a finalist for the Executive Director’s Award for Excellence in Technology Commercialization (Patent/Utility Model). Engr. Artbelson Mamuri received the recognition on behalf of the IPTBM team.

With the theme “Building Bridges through ALIGNment, CONNECTion, and SYNChronization for Agri-Aqua Innovation,” the summit convened stakeholders, incubators, innovators, and development partners from across the country. The event emphasized cross-sectoral collaboration to accelerate progress in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors.

A major highlight of the four-day gathering was the National ATBI Conference and Incubatee Summit, which featured a Partners' Night and the Spinoff Policy Final Presentation and Graduation Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of training participants from 91 participating agencies.

These awards given to MMSU acknowledge the university’s strengthened business incubation and innovation ecosystem, driven by the strategic initiatives of the MMSU Innovation and Technology Directorate. Through the ATBI Dap-Ayan, the university continues to commercialize university-based technologies and empower MSMEs, farmers, fisherfolk, and cooperatives in scaling their ventures.