Argao’s BENRC inks a nearly P1.09M Grant MOA with DOST 7 to support breadfruit-related project. Department of Science and Technology Region 7 (DOST-7) and the Biodiversity, Environment, and Natural Resources Research Center (BENRC) of the Cebu Technological University—Argao Campus sealed their partnership through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that took place at the DOST 7 Cebu PSTO Office on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Engr. Adrian D. Cruz from the Provincial S&T Office – Cebu graced the event and was joined by Campus Director Dr. Eingilbert C. Benolirao and Center Director Prof. Hemres M. Alburo, who served as the primary individual authorized to sign the MOA and as the witness, respectively.
The DOST-funded project titled “Inventory and morphometric characterization of breadfruit varieties in Cebu” is the first approved among the four research proposals submitted under the program called Local Grants-in-Aid (LGIA). An amount of ₱1,080,933.00 is expected to be provided as a grant from the said regional agency.
The project seeks to establish baseline data that will aid in the classification, conservation, and potential utilization of breadfruit for food security, community livelihood, and future research and development initiatives.
Further, Team BENRC, which has been working for years on breadfruit utilization and development is happier than ever for the continuous support received on various internal and external fundings; hence, the effort to widely introduce the potential of breadfruit as a new food source and offer livelihood for the people is seeing no sign of stopping anytime soon. / Melvin T. Benemerito | icpao-ec
