By Lea C. Agbigay

Correspondent

Researchers of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) bagged awards in oral and poster presentations during the 32nd Regional Symposium on Research and Development (R&D) Highlights virtually conducted by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) on March 16-17. 

In the research paper category, the team of Menisa Antonio, Epifania Agustin, Noralyn Legaspi, Maria Concepcion Birginias, Rodel Utrera, Dionisio Jamias, Araceli Badar, Maingeline Vivit, Zenaida Agngarayngay, Evangeline Galacgac, Lea Agbigay, Vinamay Cabugon, Christine Quiapo, Lagrimas Flojo, and Josefa Pugat got first place for its topic, "Sustainable Conservation, Utilization, and Promotion of Plant Genetic Resources: The Case of Ilocandia’s Indigenous Food Plants.”

Likewise, the group of Nathaniel Alibuyog, Virgilio Julius Manzano, Jr., Rodel Utrera, Julius Jimenez, Jommel Agreda, Hazel Agngarayngay, Evangeline Galacgac, Alecsis Villarin, and Josefa Pugat won third place in its research about “Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) – Phase 2.”

For the development paper category, the group of Dionisio Bucao, Alecsis Villarin, Mishael Joy Barrera, Christian Butch Andrew Balbas, Catalino Barroga, and Christian Mark Aganus obtained the top spot in the development category for its topic on "Strengthening and Sustaining Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) of Mariano Marcos State University."

Similarly, the team of Leticia Lutap, Alecsis Villarin and Jonathan Ramos landed 2nd place in the same category for their paper on "Promotion and Commercialization of Developed Biopesticides (Biofungicides and Biopinsecticides) for Selected Vegetables in Ilocos."

For the research poster category, the team of Mario Remolacio and Constante Julian obtained first place for its topic, "New Promising Corn Varieties: Recommended for Commercial Release.” 

In the development poster category, the group of Hazel Agngarayngay and Joana Crosby won first place on its topic, "Enhancing Glutinous Corn Production through Innovative Extension Delivery System in Ilocos Region."

The winning entries were among the MMSU’s seven papers and five posters presented in the regional symposium.

The R&D symposium is an annual activity of ILAARRDEC wherein research findings and technologies developed by its 18 member-agencies are presented and reviewed, with the aim of selecting the region’s entries to national award-giving bodies. This year’s consortium was hosted by MMSU, the base agency of the consortium.

With the theme “Kapatagan at Karagatan ay Pangalagaan para sa Mataas na Ani at Kita sa Gitna ng Pandemya,” participants were from the Consortium Member Institutions (CMI) of ILAARRDEC who presented their research outputs and innovations along Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (ANNR).

The event’s first placers will be the entries of Region I to the national research symposium to be conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) this year. (StratCom)