Dragon fruit paper, poster presented in research managers confab

June 17, 2013

DRAGON Fruit RDE Project leader, Mr. Leonardo T. Pascua, presented a paper and a poster on “Technology Promotion on Dragon Fruit and its Implication to Economic and Social Responsibility: Partnership with the Department of Education and the Community” during the 23rd Philippine Association of Research Managers (PHILARM) National Convention held at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, April 16-18.

With the theme “Social and Economic Responsibility: A Challenge to Research and Development Managers”, the three-day activity hosted by the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), was attended by around 200 members, officers, board of directors, and guests. About 14 papers and 18 posters competed in the said event.

Naga City mayor John G. Bongat expressed happiness over the hosting of the event and lauded the organization for its efforts in paving the way for better knowledge in research management. CBSUA president Marito T. Bernales similarly expressed his university’s full support to the gathering and congratulated PHILARM for affording research managers and other individuals opportunity to participate in attending to issues such as maintaining global sustainability, improving human health, addressing economic disparity, understanding one’s place in the universe, and promoting peace, security, and social responsibility.

Dr. Arturo S. Argañosa, PHILARM president, in his opening remarks said promoting social and economic responsibility should be cultivated to help generate technologies and innovations which would bring greater investments in agriculture. These, he said, bring about advancements in the sector, better employment opportunities, sound environmental protection, and more importantly, abundant and affordable food on the table.

Dr. Romulo G. Davide, professor emeritus of UPLB and 2012 Ramon Magsaysay awardee, in his keynote address stressed PHILARM must take action by utilizing the knowledge generated by research, especially to the poor farmers in the upland communities to liberate them from the bondage of poverty and hunger. He challenged the organization to narrow the gap between research and development, and extension program policy on technology extension and utilization.

Topics presented during the plenary session revolved on: social and economic relevance of biotechnology by Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso, program coordinator of the DA Biotech Program Implementation Unit; Ms. Sonny P. Tabbaba, Biotechnology Affairs director of Crop Life Asia, Singapore; and Ms. Jenny Panopio, network administrator of the Biotechnology Information Center, SEARCA.

The co-authors of the dragon fruit R&D paper were: Love Grace dC. Campano (MMSU), Lilibeth C. Paraoan (CODA), Lolita M. Raposas (OPA-Ilocos Norte); Eliza T. Samson, Edna C. Nagtalon, Maura Luisa S. Gabriel, Marivic A. Alimbuyuguen, Mercy Fausta R. Gano, Rose Francis E. Mina, all from MMSU; and Richard F. Guinsatao, Mary Anne R. Rarogal, and Gleza B. Rodrigo, all from ILARRDEC.