A three-year project implemented by the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) is set to enhance land use efficiency and overall productivity of coconut hybrid farms in Leon, Iloilo through an optimized intercropping system and fertilization rates.

The initiative, “Evaluation of the Growth Performance of Hybrid Coconut as Influenced by Fertilization Rates and Intercropping at Leon, Iloilo,” is funded through the Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) Research under the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

According to Project Leader Eric James P. Talagon, many Iloilo coconut farmers continue to practice monocropping, avoid using fertilizers, and lack knowledge on hybrid production—all potentially contributing to low coconut yield and income.

To address these gaps, the project will investigate the effects of short-term and forage crop integration, where vegetable and leguminous crops will be used as intercrops under coconut hybrid production. It will also evaluate different fertilization rates, based on the general recommendation of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). The integrated coconut-based farming system to be developed will be promoted among the Leon coconut farmers through demonstration farms and training.

During the project's inception meeting, ISAT U President Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr. and PCA Region VI Regional Manager Neil J. Melencion expressed their support to implement activities that will benefit coconut farmers in the province.

Meanwhile, the Crops Research Division’s (CRD) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team presented the project's M&E plan and the DOST Grants-In-Aid (GIA) guidelines. They also outlined the roles of the implementing and cooperating agencies and provided clarifications to ensure smoother project implementation.

PCA Iloilo Representative Reinheart Kevin G. Villan, DOST Region VI Representative Hazel Lynn C. Maganto, Iloilo Provincial Office Representative Geron E. Magbanua, and Leon Municipal Agriculturist Ryan C. Caldito, also attended the meeting. 

The activity was spearheaded by CRD’s Program M&E Head Kristine Joy P. de Guzman and Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Coconut Alissa Carol M. Ibarra.

The DOST-PCAARRD team also visited the project’s experimental area in Leon and paid a courtesy visit to ISAT U President Salistre, together with Vice President for Administration and Finance Russ Allen B. Napud, Research Services Division Director Hilario S. Taberna, Jr., and ISAT U Leon Campus Administrator Gilbert Stanly D. Baylosis.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ERDB) discussed DENR-ERDB’s proposed technology transfer and promotion programs and projects on February 14, 2025 at DOST-PCAARRD, Los Baños, Laguna.

The meeting discussed potential collaborations on technology transfer programs/projects and other research initiatives related to environmental conservation and rehabilitation.

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, welcomed the participants and  mentioned that DOST-PCAARRD and DENR-ERDB are long-time partners considering the ongoing and previous successful research and technology transfer projects. He also expressed gratitude to DENR-ERDB for their willingness to continue collaborating with DOST-PCAARRD through potential technology transfer and promotion and other research programs and projects. 

In her message, DENR-ERDB Director Lormelyn E. Claudio shared the value of partnership between the two agencies through various programs and projects funded by DOST-PCAARRD. She also mentioned that their agency needs collaborations to address immediate concerns of the environment and natural resources.

Presentation of Project Proposals

DENR-ERDB’s Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Chief Liberty E. Asis presented ten technology transfer project proposals, covering DENR-ERDB’s developed technologies for the rehabilitation and conservation of forest, coastal, and urban ecosystems. The projects aim to mitigate forest fires and soil erosion; enhance market channels; conserve biodiversity; increase production of quality giant bamboo planting materials and managed plantations; disseminate protocols on tree health assessment; provide livelihood while rehabilitating degraded and deluded areas; capacitate stakeholders on mangrove cluster planting; and promote the application of S&T-based technologies in urban settings.

Moreover, DENR-ERDB Scientist I Jose Alan A. Castillo presented eight research and development (R&D) project proposals that aim to encourage active participation in the global network of carbon flux stations; improve the quality of water bodies contaminated with oil; create a replicable framework for integrating DNA barcoding; enhance mangrove and beach forest ecosystems; conserve and manage ‘gugo’ (Entada phaseoloides (L.) resources; reduce household organic waste accumulation; and establish field genebank of native fruit trees. Furthermore, assistance for patent application was requested for their newly developed technologies for commercialization.

Discussions

Dr. Ebora expressed his interest in the presented project proposals as these may address gaps, provide solutions to environmental problems, and provide support to the communities. He likewise provided comments, suggestions, and guidance for clearer understanding and to further improve the proposals for packaging.

DOST-PCAARRD’s Technology Transfer Promotion Division (TTPD) Director Noel A. Catibog expressed his gratitude for DENR-ERDB’s visit. He provided additional inputs to improve the proposals and how they will fit in the extension and deployment modalities of the Division. He also conveyed his willingness to provide assistance in the patent application for the technologies for commercialization developed by DENR-ERDB. Through collaboration, Dir. Catibog expressed his excitement for the project proposals to prosper. He added that all submissions of project proposals are welcome and asked DENR-ERDB to continue collaborating for new future proposals.   

Before the end of the meeting, Dir. Claudio expressed her gratitude on behalf of DENR-ERDB for DOST-PCAARRD’s interest in the proposed project proposals and for the aforementioned moving forward advice and thanked  Dr. Ebora, Dir. Catibog, and the whole DOST-PCAARRD team for the guidance. At the end of the meeting, she presented books on the Atlas of Philippine Native Trees to DOST-PCAARRD as tokens of appreciation.

A courtesy visit and exploratory meeting were recently conducted to explore potential collaboration between Kyoto University (KU) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) through its International Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (iGREAT) Program. 

Held on February 7, 2025 at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center  in Los Baños, Laguna, the meeting was initiated at the request of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), KU’s long-standing academic partner.

With a shared commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation, the discussions revolved around fostering academic and research exchanges between Filipino and Japanese scientists. The meeting also provided a platform to explore opportunities for graduate research assistantships, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and joint projects that could drive innovation in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors

Leading the KU delegation was Dr. Tetsuo Sawaragi, Executive Vice-President for Research, Ethics, Integrity, Code of Conduct, and International Affairs. Joining Dr. Sawaragi were Ms. Hidemi Nakagawa, Ms. Takako Yabuuchi, Ms. Chisato Saito, Mr. Taro Sovobe, Dr. Teiji Nawata, and Dr. Shuji Hisano. Each bringing expertise in international research collaboration and academic exchange. 

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora led DOST-PCAARRD in welcoming the esteemed guests, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to advancing research and development through global partnerships. In his message, Dr. Ebora emphasized the significance of expanding the iGREAT Program by strengthening partnerships with leading global institutions such as KU. He also expressed DOST-PCAARRD's openness to exploring further collaborative initiatives beyond iGREAT, identifying potential joint research areas that align with both institutions’ strategic priorities.

Joining Dr. Ebora from DOST-PCAARRD were Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management, and Support Services (ARMSS) Melvin B. Carlos; Institution Development Division (IDD) Director Fezoil Luz Decena; Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division (PCMD) Director Lilian Bondoc, and other DOST-PCAARRD personnel. 

In response, Dr. Sawaragi thanked DOST-PCAARRD for the warm welcome and acknowledged the alignment of KU's academic and research programs with DOST-PCAARRD's initiatives. Both parties expressed optimism on future collaborations, particularly in facilitating the participation of government officials, faculty members, and researchers from UPLB and other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) under the iGREAT scholarship grant.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to pursue collaboration on the iGREAT Program. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be prepared as an initial step. Dr. Ebora conveyed his hope that the partnership would formally commence within the year and welcome the first cohort of scholars by the upcoming semester.

This visit represents an important step towards strengthening international collaboration and advancing capacity-building efforts through joint research and education initiatives. It also marks a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of the iGREAT Program, reflecting DOST-PCAARRD's commitment to engaging with world-class institutions like KU.

To safeguard food safety and protect consumers, chemical laboratories are testing milkfish products using validated methods. The accuracy and reliability of these testing methods are assessed through participation in Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes to help laboratories ensure accurate measurements.

The project, "Capability Enhancement of Local Laboratories in the Determination of Inorganic Toxic Elements in Aquacultured Milkfish through Proficiency Testing Scheme," has developed, validated, and verified methods for detecting toxic elements such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium in milkfish. These elements are among the most common contaminants in marine aquaculture, posing significant risks to food safety and the environment. The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

Milkfish samples collected from various locations in Laguna Lake were tested using validated methods. Results showed minimal levels of toxic elements, ensuring the safety of the samples. Additionally, a method for preparing milkfish reference material involving isolating of muscle tissue, lyophilization or freeze-drying, defatting, grinding, and sieving to produce a reliable reference material for testing, was developed.

The National Metrology Laboratory (NML) of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of DOST, which serves as a PT provider in the Philippines, organized an accuracy-based PT scheme for toxic elements in milkfish. 

A total of 26 local testing laboratories took part in the PT scheme, with 23 submitting their results. Results showed acceptable Z’-score performances of 42% of the 12 participants for total arsenic, 62% of the 21 participants for cadmium, 64% of the 14 participants for total mercury, and 82% of the 22 participants for lead.

The Z’-score is the statistical analysis used to assess the accuracy of a laboratory’s test results. It measures how far the laboratory's result deviates from the accepted or true value, expressed in standard deviation units.  

The results of the PT scheme revealed varying levels of analytical accuracy among participating laboratories, emphasizing the need for improvement in some local testing capabilities. The following table shows the z’-score performances of participants on heavy metal analysis in milkfish:

The project aligns with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2016-08, which mandates adherence to water quality guidelines and general effluent standards. The order specifies the monitoring of physical, chemical, biological, and radiological parameters in water bodies across the country. Testing laboratories must demonstrate their competence in detecting toxic elements to comply with these standards and ensure public safety.

By providing locally developed PT materials and schemes, the project aimed to raise awareness among laboratories about the importance of accuracy and reliability in their analytical tests. Using PT schemes improves laboratories’ confidence in their results. This contributes to the safety of public consumers, the preservation of environmental health, and the prevention of economic losses for food producers