Winning BSU research papers bared after review

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- More than 100 programs, projects and studies were presented in a three-day annual in-house review of the Benguet State University here last week where winning papers were announced.

The AIHR accommodated not only completed studies but proposals during the event held Aug 8-10.

BSU vice president for research and extension, Dr. Carlito P. Laurean shared how policy implementation posed challenges to the R&E sector including disallowances.

“We considered the challenges as a chance for us to improve the steps and procedures in the university, because of the challenge of getting appropriate honoraria being provided by our funding agency. We made some improvements and this was also recognized by the Commission on Audit,” said Dr. Laurean.

“One strategy that we did is to have our faculty researchers be certified as S&T researchers under the Magna Carta of S and T personnel in the university. Presently, there are 81 faculty researchers that are DOST certified and they are now receiving their honoraria for the project that they are implementing. Even for our support services like managing the consortium was also considered as part of S&T so faculty and employees (concerned) are also starting to receive their corresponding honoraria,” he added.

According to the Office of Research Services, there were 511 registered studies in BSU as of June.

“Aside from opportunities for presentation and NBC points, faculty members and employees conduct researches despite many challenges because it’s their passion and their willingness to contribute to relevant studies especially those that concern present issues,” said science research specialist Matyline C. Talastas.

The conduct of the AIHR is part of monitoring and evaluation for completed and/or ongoing RDE programs, projects, or studies/activities in BSU.

It is among mandates of the Benguet State University as RDE member institution of the Cordillera Consortium Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (CorCAARRD, formerly HAARRDEC).

The review was divided into three categories—technical, social non-AANR (agriculture, aquaculture and natural resources) and Social AANR/extension. Evaluators were:  Teresita K. Mangili (CorCAARD), Roel R. Suralta (Philippine Rice Research Institute), Lorenza G. Lirio (retired BSU professor), Miriam V. Tiongan (Benguet LGU), Rhandy S. Tubal (Watershed and Water Resources Research Center-ERDB), Dante M. Aquino (Isabela State University) and Maria Teresa L. De Guzman (DOST-PCAARRD) for the Technical Category; Virginia L. Anceno (CRHRDC), Annie Grail F. Ekid (Mountain State Polytechnic College) and Leah E. Abayo (UP Baguio-Cordillera Studies Center) for the Social AANR/Extension; and Mariano D. Marchan (CHED-CAR), Rhoda B. Galangco (University of Baguio) and Esther R. Hufana (retired BSU Professor) for the Social Non-AANR category.

ISRD director, Dr. Cheryl Launio said out of papers presented, there were  26 papers qualified for oral and 19 papers for poster presentation at the CorCAARRD regional symposium.

The winning papers for the technical category were: "Shiitake Production Technology as Component of Arabica Coffee-Based Agro-Forestry in the Cordillera (7 studies; 5 activities)" by Bernard S. Tad-awan, David Sumalang, Joel S. Acyapas, Johnwayne Tosay, Luis Calama and Marjoe S. Salavaria (1st Place);  "Mapping of Spatial Distribution of Carbon Storage of the Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon (Benguet Pine) forest in Sagada, Mt. Province" by Nova D. Doyog, Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres and Young Jin Lee (2nd Place) and "Development of Protocols for the Production of Inoculants and Field Application of Atoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus flavus (ASAFs) as Biological Control Agents (BCAs) Against Pre-Harvest aflatoxin Contamination of Peanut" by Janet S. Luis, Benjamin T. Tabus, Alexander A. Dorate, Marijo S. Neo-neo, Marjorie P. Colas and Joan B. Pedro (3rd Place).

For the Social AANR/extension category , winners were: "Building Farmer's Resilience in Disaster Prone Areas in Bokod and Kabayan (5 studies) by Carlito P. Laurean, Ruth S. Batani, Belinda A. Tad-awan, Alexander W. Fagyan, Andres A. Basalong, Frits Finmorog, Michael Lloyd Lee and Alexander Baday (1st Place); "A Survey of Sweetpotato Infestation in Selected Communities in Benguet and Ifugao Provinces" by Ruth S. Batani, Rhea S. Loncio, Kacy O. Labon, Raiah S. Batani (2ndPlace) and "BSU Talknology: Touching Lives of Rural Communities in the Northern Philippine Highlands" by Constantino T. Sudaypan and Julie I. Calatan (3rd Place).

For the social non-AANR category, winners were: "The life and works of Bado Dangwa" by Felipe S. Comila and Marcos A. Buliyat (1st Place); "Item Response Theory Parameters of Test Questions Measuring Different Cognitive Skills in Mathematics" by Janet Lynn S. Montemayor (2nd Place); and "Balancing Life: The Struggles of Working Mothers with 0-5 Years Old Children" by Alima N. Bedejim, Kacy O. Labon, Rhea S. Loncio, and Ruth S. Batani and “Strength and Consistency of Association Among Students' Entry to Exit Academic Performances and BLEPT Ratings” by Apler J. Bansiong and Janet Lynn S. Montemayor (both 3rdPlace).-- JSTabangcura