By Lea C. Agbigay
Correspondent

Researchers of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) bagged awards in paper and poster presentations during the 33rd Regional Symposium on Research and Development (R&D) Highlights virtually organized by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) last December 1-2.

In the research paper category, the team of Dr. Marilou Lucas won first place with its entry, “Sustainable Production, Utilization, and Marketing of True-to-type Bolinao Chicken in Ilocos Region.”

The said MMSU-led research paper was in partnership with the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), and Pangasinan State University (PSU).

In the same category, Prof. Ma. Danica I. Ramil and Prof. Rhian Jaymart D. Ramil finished second place with their research titled, “Cytotoxic Activities against HT29 Cell Line and Immunosuppressive Effects on Concanavalin A-stimulated Splenocyte Proliferation of the Extracts Obtained from Selected Philippine Endemic Plants.” 

Also, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog and company landed third place on its paper, “Improving the Package of Technologies for Tomato using the DSSAT Model.”

In the development paper category, the group of Ms. Bella Gervacio placed second on its entry, “Technology Transfer and Partnership with the Private Sector toward Sustainable Production of Bolinao Chicken.”

Meanwhile, in the research poster categories, Ms. Maria Concepcion Birginias and company prevailed second place with its entry, “Propagating the Indigenous Veggie, Himbabao:  How to do it?” 

Also, the group of Mr. Mario Remolacio and Mr. Constante Julian won third place with its poster on “New Promising Yellow Corn Hybrids Recommended for Commercial Release in Luzon and Mindanao.” 

For the development poster category, Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal and company landed first place with its poster on “MMSU-CARES Farm: Pagwadan ti Kammayet ken Tunos para iti Nadur-as a Panagtalon.” 

Meanwhile, the team of Prof. Mishael Joy Barrera got second place for its poster on “MMSU Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator.”  

MMSU presented 14 R&D entries in the regional symposium, four of which are research and two are development papers; while six are research and two are development posters. 

Only the first placers in paper presentations are the ILAARRDEC’s official entries for the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources R&D (NSAARD) annually conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

The ILAARRDEC’s Regional Symposium is an annual gathering of researchers, extensionists and development workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders, that features R&D initiatives under the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector. 

It was participated in by the researchers from the 18 consortium member-institutions in Region I. 

With the theme, “Advancing RDE Innovations towards AANR Resilience in the New Normal,” the symposium was hosted by the ISPSC and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). It was keynoted by Dr. Liza G. Battad, acting executive director and assistant secretary for regulations of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries of the Department of Agriculture. (StratCom)