By Jesslyn Keith Valite 

To support digital transformation among consortium members, the Ilocos Agriculture,  Aquatic, a d Natural Resources and Development Center (ILAARRDEC) distributed information, communication, and audiovisual equipment on March 4 during the unveiling of the project marker at the ILAARRDEC One Stop Information Shop (OSIS) at MMSU.

The P5-million project, “Enhancing Audiovisual Equipment (AVE), Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Infrastructure, and Connectivity of ILAARRDEC and Consortium Member Institutions (CMIs),” is led by MMSU Prof. Lovegrace Campano, project leader and regional coordinator of the comsortium's ICT cluster.  It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST PCAARRD). 

Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, MMSU Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight, led the event on behalf of MMSU President and Regional Research  and Development Coordinating Council chair Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. He was joined by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, MMSU Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation and ILAARRDEC Consortium Director. Institutional Development Division (IDD) staff of PCAARRD,  ILAARRDEC secretariat, and CMI representatives were also present at the event.  

The consortium members that received equipment include MMSU, DA-PhilRice Batac Station, the University of Northern Philippines, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), North Luzon Polytechnic State College (now part of ISPSC), the DOST Provincial Science & Technology Office - Ilocos Sur, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (Dmmmsu), Pangasinan State University, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 1.

Each institution received a 55-inch Smart TV and a laptop to enhance their ICT and audiovisual education initiatives. A modem with a one-year load allowance will also be provided, ensuring continuous connectivity and access to digital sources.

Dr. Domingo said the project and the marker launch are important steps in improving services. He thanked DOST-PCAARRD for funding the project and emphasized MMSU's role as the home base of ILAARRDEC and its partner institutions.

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora, represented by Mr. Joseph Saluta, said the event strengthens teamwork in improving research, education, and innovation.
"Let us continue developing research and technology," Dr. Alibuyog encouraged the consortium members.

This project reflects ongoing efforts to improve technology, support digital learning, and strengthen partnerships among the consortium’s member institutions.