photo credit: Photo Credit: DOST-Science for Change Program Facebook Page
The CTU Professor obtained an award from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on May 6, 2022 leading one of the prominent project accomplishments.
Dr. Archiebald Baltazar Malaki, University Director for Research and Development, was awarded an Outstanding R&D Center – Central Visayas R&D Center for Biodiversity for his study funded by DOST.
“I am very much thankful to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for giving the award. I knew that DOST recognized the effort and accomplishments of the CTU-DOST Nicer,” Dr. Malaki said.
The P17.4M project titled “Flora and Fauna Assessment Using Permanent Biodiversity Monitoring System (PBMS) in Cebu Island Key Biodiversity Areas” where Dr. Malaki is the program leader.
Researchers examined flora and fauna in Cebu Island Key Biodiversity Areas in Mt. Lantoy, Argao; Mt. Kapayas, Catmon, Cebu; and Nug-as Forest, Alcoy, Cebu.
The project accomplishments include the discovery of new species of orchid in Mt. Lantoy; new species distribution records of Northern Temple Philippine Pit Viper ;and two endangered bird species, Cebu Black Shama and Cebu Hawk Owl; record the distribution of native tree species and record the unique behavior of fruit bats that eat roots and leaves instead of the usual fruits.
The said program was led by CTU together with the University of the Philippines Cebu, Bohol Island State University, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), National Research Council of the Philippines, University of San Carlos, and Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources R&D Consortium (CVAARRDEC).
This research project was started last 2018 and was supposedly completed in 2020; however, the pandemic intervened and resumed and finished last December 2021.-Almie Mata/CCM