Nation

The plenary speakers and delegates of the 2022 Future Science Leaders’ Forum, led by Searca Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio, on Nov. 11, 2022 at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS (November 26)—The Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has empowered young scientists in a recently held forum titled "2022 Future Science Leaders' Forum" (FSLF). During the FSLF, Searca Director Glenn Gregorio spoke on building a culture of agricultural innovation for sustainable impact through new ways of working and thinking, participatory governance, adoption of ideas, strategies, and innovating sources of funding and financing. Consisting of plenary sessions on bui...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BATAC, Ilocos Norte (November 25)—Aiming to promote the use of space data for development, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) this week brought its Philippine Space Agency Integrated Network for Space-enabled Actions toward Sustainability or "Pinas" project to the province of Ilocos Norte. Under the Office of the President, PhilSA is the central government agency addressing national issues and activities related to space science and technology applications under Republic Act 11363. A workshop on the Pinas project at the Mariano Marcos State University-Teatro Ilocandia that ended on Thursday, November 24, was attended by about 100 delegates, including MMSU personnel and college students, government agencies and representatives from local government units (L...

Prof. Khin Mar Cho (center) receives her certificates of recognition from Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio (left) as a resource person at the Searca Online Learning and Virtual Engagement webinar and Southeast Asian Youth Fest held in May and October 2022 respectively. Also in photo is Searca Deputy Director for Administration Assoc. Prof. Joselito Florendo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS (November 24)—A New York-based Cornell University Food Systems specialist visiting Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has encouraged Filipino youth to go into agriculture, especially in the agri-food system. Prof. Khin Mar Cho, International Agricultur...

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, expressed commitment to strengthen their collaboration on trade and security efforts. MANILA (November 19)President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed commitment to strengthen their collaboration on trade and security efforts. The two leaders made this commitment after concluding their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. Both President Marcos and PM Ardern said they are keen on collaborating with Filipino farmers on new innovations in farming to increase sustainability and productivity. ...

GAMECHANGER (From left) The manufacturing plants of Victorias Milling Company, located in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, and NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corp. in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, are now ready to utilize renewable energy in their operations. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LENDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (November 18)—Shifting to renewable energy (RE) under the Department of Energy's (DoE) Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), two Visayas-based firms tapped Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), through its retail electricity supply company Advent Energy Inc., to run their manufacturing plants on Cleanergy. Abigail Tomas, AboitizPower assistant vice president for public relations, said these are the factories of car builder NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corp. in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, and sug...

Mariano Marcos State University President Shirley Agrupis has led the establishment of the United Kingdom Chapter of the MMSU Global Alumni Network in London in an in-person and virtual event. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BATAC CITY (November 17)—The Ilocos Norte-based Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has established the United Kingdom Chapter of its Global Alumni Network in its commitment to strengthening ties with the university's alumni abroad. On November 5, 2022, no other than MMSU President Shirley Agrupis who led the launching of the alumni chapter held at the Hotel London Ibis Stratford in London, United Kingdom (UK). Agrupis said MMSU graduate professionals in the European country joined the network's soft launching via in-person and online for the sa...

PREFABRICATED MANHOLE In this undated photo, Davao Light installs prefabricated manholes in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue as part of the city government’s underground cabling project. This process reduces construction time to 48 hours instead of 4 to 6 weeks. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (November 16)—Renewable energy firm Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) through the Davao Light and Power Co. (Davao Light) has started the second phase of the Davao City government's underground cabling project. Davao Light Power Systems Design Department head Chad Ramos said the construction on two major thoroughfares in the Poblacion District — Claro M. Recto Avenue and San Pedro Street — has been completed. Davao Light is currently working on the Ramon Magsaysay Avenue phase, which ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LAGUNA (November 16)—A book on Philippine economic development titled Pro-poor Development Policies: Lessons from the Philippines and East Asia has been released in honor of Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. Director Glenn Gregorio of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research (Searca) said the book was presented to Balisacan during a surprise gathering of colleagues, friends, and family in celebration of his 65th birthday on Nov. 8, 2022, and officially launched at the Philippine Economic Society (PES) 60th Annual Meeting and Conference on Nov. 9, 2022, in Quezon City. Gregorio said the 750-page book which is a Festschrift — a collection of writings published in honor of an eminent scholar during his lif...

PCG personnel demonstrate lifesaving techniques at the culmination of a five-day medical training conducted by the US Embassy Civil Affairs Team in Palawan on Nov. 5, 2022. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO PALAWAN (November 13)—This province’s search and rescue and maritime law enforcement operations under the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received a boost in operations with additional medical training and dive equipment. The United States Embassy in Manila said 12 sets of dive equipment and emergency medical supplies were turned over by the US Embassy Civil Affairs Team (CAT) to the PCG aboard the MRRV-9701 Teresa Magbanua, the largest vessel in the PCG fleet. US Embassy CAT leader Capt. Stephen Coleman said they are honored to continue working with the PCG in Palawan "...

MANILA (November 11)—Private businesses, now more than ever, were asked to step up in their role to help solve societal issues, a leader from the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) said during a sustainability event organized by Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower). Neha Das, a UNGC senior manager for global operations in Asia and Oceania, explained that while there is significant progress from the business community, there is still a long way to go to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs). "Everybody needs to come together to achieve the SDGs. It's not just the government or private sector's responsibility. We have all to pitch in," Das stated in her speech on the latest episode of AboitizPower's #BetterTogether sustainability series. The series aims to raise aware...