Major research projects conducted in just a year and a half certainly earned CTU Argao a major distinction among state universities and colleges (SUCs), as Undersecretary Rowena Christina Guevarra of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held her impressive regard last week.
CTU Argao “exceeded DOST’s expectations” and displayed “a very rare kind of ‘bayanihan’ different from other centers in Manila,” Usec Guevarra said, iterating how the campus put up a huge deal on biodiversity outcomes.
DOST-Niche Centers in the Region for R&D (NICER) projects have been assigned to research centers across the country, and CTU simply executed the responsibility highly expected from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
Dr. Archiebald Baltazar Malaki, one of CTU-DOST NICER project leaders, factored in his most recent accomplishment: “Flora and Fauna Assessment Using Permanent Biodiversity Monitoring System (PBMS) in Cebu Island Key Biodiversity Areas.” He promised to name the newly discovered species of orchid after Usec Guevarra, in his speech at the ceremony.
Argao’s list of collaborators included the National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (BIOTEC) in Thailand, University of San Carlos, Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Soil and Water Conservation Foundation, Department of Environment &Natural Resources, Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Cebu Provincial Government, Department of Education, Energy Development Corporation, Municipality of Dalaguete, and Southern Leyte State University.
Joining Usec Guevarra in her visit to CTU Argao were DOST-PCAARD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora, OIC- R&D PCAARD Deputy Executive Director Juanito Batalon and DOST Region VII Director Edilberto Paradela.-Prof. Evangeline Rellin/ICPA Argao