The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) supported the four-day training, “Valuation, Spatial Analysis, and Data Analytics of Ecosystem Services.” 

Held from February 12 to 15, 2025 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) in Pacdal, Baguio City, the training was organized by the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, “Valuation and Accounting of Ecosystem Services (VALUES) Lab: Building Capacity for Sustainable Forest and Natural Resources Management,” led by Dr. Canesio D. Predo from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB).

The training aimed to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the theory and practice of ecosystem services assessment and valuation. It covered different valuation methods and data analytics using Stata and InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-Offs) softwares. With Dr. Predo were other resource speakers from UPLB: Dr. Asa Jose U. Sajise, Dr. Margaret M. Calderon, Dr. Ma. Angeles O. Catelo, Dr. Analyn L. Codilan, Dr. Cristino L. Tiburan, and Ms. Jess Riel R. Terbio.

In a dedicated plenary session, Ms. Gemmalyn M. Trespalacio of DOST-PCAARRD’s Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) also presented the DOST Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector, focusing on the policy analysis and advocacy agenda and initiatives on environmental services. Meanwhile, Dr. Codilan discussed the requirements in packaging proposals. They also addressed inquiries and offered practical advice to participants.

The training gathered 36 participants from eight State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), three National Government Agencies (NGAs), and one Local Government Unit (LGU) across Luzon. As an output of the workshop, participants were expected to develop 11 research proposals designed to be viable for funding from institutions such as PCAARRD.

This Northern Luzon leg is part of a series of training workshops across the country conducted by the VALUES Lab. The initiative aims to capacitate and strengthen the pool of human resources leading research on ecosystem service valuation, spatial analysis, and data analytics. Additional workshops are scheduled to take place in the Bicol Region and Laguna during the first half of the year.

As part of their research trip to the Philippines, a delegation from the Graduate School of Economics of Kyoto University (KU) visited the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) last February 28, 2025. This was to gain insights about the Council’s research programs, initiatives, and contributions to the advancement of the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector in the country.

A total of ten graduate students from various academic disciplines participated in the visit. They were accompanied by esteemed faculty members, Dr. Shuji Hisano and Dr. Mai Kobayashi, along with Graduate School Officer Satoko Kogure.

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora welcomed the delegation and shared that the Council is exploring potential collaboration with KU to support graduate scholarships.  He also delivered DOST-PCAARRD’s ongoing research and development initiatives, with a strong emphasis on promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing food security, and fostering innovation through strategic partnerships and international collaborations. During the engaging Q&A session, the graduate students  asked about the Council’s research initiatives, policy frameworks, and technology transfer mechanisms. Dr. Ebora enthusiastically provided invaluable insights into DOST-PCAARRD’s role in driving scientific advancements to support Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and stakeholders in the AANR sector.

The visit underscored the importance of academic exchange and cross-border collaboration in addressing global challenges in agriculture and rural development. It provided an excellent platform for meaningful discussions between KU scholars and DOST-PCAARRD experts, exploring potential opportunities for future cooperation in research and knowledge sharing.

The KU delegation expressed their appreciation for the informative and insightful engagement and acknowledged DOST-PCAARRD’s efforts in pioneering research and innovation for the benefit of the AANR sector of the Philippines. 

This visit further reinforced the value of international partnerships in promoting scientific knowledge and sustainability.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has partnered with the Intellectual Property (IP) Collegium to host the seminar, “Matching Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology with Environmental Challenges in Agri-Aqua,” in Los Baños, Laguna. The collaboration emphasized the significance of IP and technology transfer in bringing solutions for the agriculture and aquatic (agri-aqua) sectors. 

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora emphasized the significance of technology transfer in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the Philippine agricultural sector.

The seminar brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the relationship among IP, technology, and the agri-aqua sectors. The topics discussed were: synecoculture, marine pollution and waste management, and matching technology to environmental challenges. 

Sony Group Corporation’s IP Analyst, Ms. Naomi Shoji, talked about Sony’s commitment to sustainability. “Sony has been focusing on material sustainability, technology for sustainability, and community contribution,” Shoji said. She also highlighted several of Sony’s sustainability initiatives, including production of eco-friendly products, development of hearing aids, and environmental restoration projects.

RPX Asia Corporation’s Senior Business Development Advisor Yuichi Kawamura, discussed marine pollution and waste management, where he presented a collaborative project between the Japanese Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) and the University of West Indies (UWI) based in the Caribbean. The project aims to develop sustainable solutions for plastic waste management including incineration, recycling, and bio-based alternatives.

Meanwhile, Graymatics’ Business Development Lead, Ms. Rahab Wangui Mureithi, talked about technology transfer in Kenya and updates from IP Collegium officers, such as: advanced solutions for water purification, real-time monitoring, and efficient resource management targeted at improving water availability and quality. She also emphasized the importance of collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in developing and implementing effective strategies to address these challenges.

DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development (RD) Juanito T. Batalon thanked the IP Collegium delegates for sharing their expertise and encouraged everyone to remain dedicated to exploring and practicing science and technology (S&T) and IP-related ventures.

The seminar brought together 53 participants from Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators (ATBI) and their incubatees, Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM) Offices of the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), Cavite State University (CvSU), and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). Farmer groups such as the Association of Safe Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Los Baños, Barangay Bucal Vegetable Planters Association, and the Majayjay Organic Farmers Association also took part in the event.

DOST-PCAARRD continuously collaborates with various agencies and organizations towards successful partnerships in agri-aqua-related technology transfer initiatives.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) strengthened its support for ornamental and medicinal plants research and development (R&D) during a recently held meeting with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry’s (DA-BPI) National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and industry experts.

The Philippine ornamental plants industry presents promising avenues for commercial production while the medicinal plants remain largely untapped. Recognizing these opportunities, NSIC’s Ornamental and Medicinal Plants Varietal Improvement Group (VIG) gathered the researchers and industry experts as part of NSIC’s continuing commitment to formulate and institutionalize varietal evaluation and registration of various commodities in the Philippines. 

The meeting was co-hosted by DOST-PCAARRD, DA-BPI, and the Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-CAFS-IPB).

DOST-PCAARRD’s Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina served as the meeting’s resource speaker and presented the significant strides in ornamental and medicinal plants R&D through the ongoing and completed projects anchored with the Council’s Industry Strategic Science and Technology (S&T) Program (ISP). 

Among these accomplishments are newly registered hoya and hibiscus varieties, characterization of putative Alocasia mutants for further generation advancement, discovery of ‘lagundi’ species native to the Philippines, identification of promising medicinal plant accessions, development of a low-cost DNA extraction method, and the implementation of technology transfer, capacity-building, and policy analysis initiatives.

Dr. Cecilia C. Almontero of the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS), CAFS-UPLB expressed her gratitude to DOST-PCAARRD on behalf of the agriculture students who completed their undergraduate studies through the grants and support provided by the Council. 

“These students are the future workers, researchers, and scientists of the sector and we shall help them see that research is indeed inviting by providing them with a conducive environment in doing their thesis and other research activities,” Dir. Pelegrina said, recognizing the role of manpower development in reviving the ornamental and medicinal plants industries.   

Meanwhile, outgoing VIG Chair and Scientist Fernando B. Aurigue emphasized the timely recognition of the different medicinal plant varieties, marking the group’s first engagement in their varietal registration. 

The draft general guidelines for the evaluation and registration of medicinal plants is one of the key outputs of the meeting, reviewed and polished by the VIG members.

Also present in the meeting were DOST-PCAARRD’s ISP Manager for Ornamental and Medicinal Plants Kimberly Zarah B. Locsin and Ms. Ercieline A. De Torres from CRD.

The participants also visited the Microgrow Garden owned by Ms. Anna Maria G. Valenzuela, a DOST-PCAARRD collaborator on ornamental plants. This visit provided insights into the industry’s landscape from a private sector perspective.