By Kimberly S. Miguel, StratCom Correspondent

Exemplifying a high-impact and transformative extension initiative, the Bolinao chicken project of Mariano Marcos State University bagged the second-best paper award in the eighth Biennial Convention of the Philippine Association of Extension Program Implementers, Inc. (PAEPI). 

Dr. Marilou Lucas, director of the MMSU Extension Directorate, and Ms. Bella Gervacio, training and continuing education chief, received the award during the event’s closing ceremonies held today, August 18, at the Metro Center Hotel in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. 

The MMSU extension paper titled, “Sustaining True-to-Type Bolinao Chicken through Multiplier Farms,” won under the agriculture, fishery, and extension category of the convention. The paper was co-authored by Ms. Gervacio and Dr. Lucas; Mr. Jerold Labii, ED technology demonstration chief; and, Prof. Armie Sabugo and Prof Jeffrey de Vera, faculty members of the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy. 

Ms. Gervacio said the paper highlighted the agripreneurial opportunities in producing true-to-type Bolinao chicken through breeder and multiplier farms, and its implemented strategies and interventions. “This project was instrumental in capacitating Ilokano farmers and growers, and in forging ties with the provincial government of Abra and the Abra State Institute of Technology,” she added. 

Dr. Lucas said the project is an offshoot of the project on “Sustainable Production, Marketing, and Utilization of True-to-Type Bolinao Chicken in the Ilocos Region.” Funded by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), the project was collaboratively implemented by MMSU, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, and Pangasinan State University, through the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC), from 2018 to 2021. Upon its completion, the project was turned over to MMSU to sustain the promotion, dissemination, and demonstration of the technology. 

Other extension personnel presented in the national event. Ms. Mercy Gano, applied communication chief, presented the MMSU’s School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program, while Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas, monitoring and evaluation chief, presented the Bio-Intensive Gardening (BIG) project of the university. Mr. Richard Guinsatao, Ms. Ma. Constancia Yapo, Mr. Rolando Rabanal, and Ms. Romielyn Ibe were also part of the MMSU delegation. 

PAEPI is a leading professional association on research-based extension programs in the Philippines. This year’s biennial convention was themed “Empowering Extension professionals towards Social Transformation and Food Security.” (HLY/JVBT/DPT, StratCom)