6 research projects win top science awards

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – Six research and development projects won top prizes in an annual competition sponsored by a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) council based here.

The winners in the 2016 NSAARRD (National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development) received cash prizes and plaques of recognition given during a program marking the observance of National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) by the Los Baños Science Community (LBSC).

The LBSC was one of the science communities under the aegis of DOST which, for the first time, observed NSTW simultaneously. The other science communities are those in Diliman, Quezon City grouping the University of the Philippines and adjacent cluster; Manila, which groups together the medical institutions and agencies, notably in UP Manila (Philippine General Hospital) area; and Bicutan (Taguig, Metro Manila), seat of the DOST family of scientific institutions.

DOST is currently headed by new Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, who had earlier been vice president of the UP System and department undersecretary.

The NSAARRD awards had two categories: research and development.

The project titled “Validation of Varietal Integrity of Promising Rubber Clones through DNA Fingerprinting” won the Best Research Paper award for Emma Sales and Nilda Butardo of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

“LAMP Assay and Test Kit: The New Diagnosis Platform for Swine Diarrheal Diseases” was adjudged second prize winner in the Research category. The project involved researchers Clarissa Yvonne Domino, Rubigilda Paraguison-Alili, and Romeo Gundran of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Third placer was “Management of Cassava Phytoplasma Disease (CPD): Survey, Diagnosis, Characterization and Control.” Project researchers were Erlinda Vasquez, Lucia Borines, Algerico Mariscal, Andrea Inocencio, Danilo Dannug, Resa Dacera, Lady Fatima Palemo and Ricardo Manranguit, all of the Philippine Root Crops Research Center in the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte.

First prize winner in the Development category was the project “CBSTBF on Coco Sap Production and TechnoMart Products: Propelling the Coco Sugar Industry Development in Davao del Sur.” CBSTBF stands for Community-based and Science and Technology-based Farms.

The project was conducted by Augie Fuentes, Nila Nanette Revilla, both of Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) in Malita, Davao Occidental; Purisima Bacayag of the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City, and Benjamin Lao, a “magsasaka siyentista.”

“Development of Supplemental Feeds for Free-range Native Chicken” was the second prize winner. Its researchers were Jaime Cabarles Jr., Hope Patricio, Froilan Cabarles, Darleen Jane Cañoso, Jenely Martin Saban, Edmundo Calasagsag, Thomas Cabinan, Efren Cantomayor, Pearly Gersaniva, Chaue Nabuab and Jude Mark Taladhay, all of Central Philippines University.

Third prize winner was the project “Science and Technology Community-based Farm  (STCBF) on Mango Production in Bataan” of Hermogenes Paguia, Jose Paulo Tuazon, Mirasol Rosano of the Bataan Peninsula State University, farmer leader Edgardo Abella, and coordinators Adamson Cabutaje and Ronnie Lopez.