By Jareason Fabre

MMSU and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1) agreed to renew the memorandum of agreement (MoA) that grants 25 years of use of 5.94 hectares of land for the Ilocos Norte Research and Experiment Center (INREC) at FEM Hall today, July 29. 

The original MoA, signed on January 27, 2000, granted DA-RFO1 25 years to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain a portion of MMSU's land as INREC Batac Station. This agreement facilitated research, development, and extension activities to improve the region's socio-economic conditions.

With the initial agreement set to expire next year, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and DA-RFO1 Regional Executive Director Annie Bares signed a renewed contract, ensuring another 25 years of collaboration.

The signing was witnessed by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, vice president for research, development, and innovation, Dr. Marilou Lucas, extension director, Dr. Dionisio Bucao, research director,  Engr. Dennis Tactac, regional technical director for operation of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer, Mr. Charles Charlie Belisario, OIC-INREC chief/Assistant APCO for Ilocos Norte, and Mr. Danny Russel Arcangel, laboratory technician. 

During the MoA signing ceremony, President Agrupis emphasized, “This agreement is a testament to MMSU's commitment to expanding external linkages and partnerships, particularly with agencies such as DA that help us contribute to transforming lives in the region.”

The renewed agreement allows MMSU and INREC to continue their activities of mutual interest and benefit through their DA-MMSU Management Committee. These activities include research and development, technology promotion, publications, scholarships and training, technical assistance in their respective fields of expertise, sharing of high-value crop seeds, deployment of MMSU students for practicum, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training, and free use of facilities and equipment.