By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Exhibiting creative and relevant research culture in the university, researchers of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) bagged awards in oral and poster presentations during the 34th Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) conducted by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC). The event was held at the MMSU Teatro Ilocandia on February 1-3. 

In the research poster category, Mr. Mario Remolacio and Mr. Constante Julian emerged first place with their entry, “Varietal Improvement of Glutinous Corn, Seed Production, and Maintenance of MMSU Glut 1.” 

In the development paper category, Dr. Dionisio Bucao and team won second place for their project, “Sustaining MMSU’s Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management Office and Enhancing IP-TBM Offices among Member Agencies of the ILAARRDEC.” 

The IP-TBM project is a collaborative work of MMSU, the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, North Luzon Philippines State College, Pangasinan State University, and the University of Northern Philippines. 

Moreover, Ms. Noralyn Legaspi and Ms. Micha Benize Gregorio placed third with their poster, “Collection, Characterization, Conservation, and Improvement of Garlic Genetic Resources in the Philippines,” under research category. 

Likewise, Ms. Marissa Atis and company finished third place for their paper on “Biointensive Gardening - Panlaban sa COVID-19 para sa Ilocos” under development category. 

These winning outputs of MMSU were among the university’s 12 entries in the RSRDH. For the whole regional competition, there were nine research papers and 16 development papers in the oral presentation contest; and, 23 research entries and 10 development entries in the poster pitching. 

The RSRDH is an annual activity of ILAARRDEC wherein most significant R&D findings and activities of the 18 consortium member institutions are presented and reviewed. The event’s first placers will represent Region I in the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development to be organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. 

With the theme, “Pagkain sa bansa ay siguraduhin, likas-yamang produksyon ng agrikultura’t pangisdaan ay isulong natin ayon sa pagbabago ng panahon,” the regional symposium is considered vital in keeping the end-users abreast with newly developed technologies and to foster multi-agency R&D undertakings in response to climate change. (JVBT/StratCom)