Nation

The Mariano Marcos State University College of Teacher Education has enhanced its curriculum by adding a three-unit Teaching Beginning Reading to improve the literacy of the country’s early-grade learners. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO ILOCOS NORTE (August 18)—The enhanced curriculum of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Teacher Education (CTE) with an elective course on teaching reading for its elementary education students is expected to contribute to improving the literacy of the country's early grade learners. According to Dean Aris Reynold Cajigal of MMSU-CTE, there was a resolution coming from the Region 1 Teacher Education Advisory Council and the Regional Development Council in Ilocos Region for institutions to adopt the inclusion of Teaching Begi...

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture management committee members together with the new graduates and their families. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LAGUNA (August 18)—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) commended 34 scholars who completed their graduate studies in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 through a testimonial ceremony on August 4, 2022. Searca said these were 24 full Master of Science (MS) and 10 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) scholars. Out of the 24 full scholars, eight were supported by Searca's collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD, Nagoya University in Japan and the Philippine Carabao Center. At the Searca headquarters on the campus of the U...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (August 15)—Through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program, the United States government has expressed support to the Philippines in addressing biological and chemical security threats. In a series of meeting with the Philippine government from July 27 to August 2, the US government discussed current and future biological threat reduction and chemical security capacity-building initiatives in the Philippines. Defense Threat Reduction Agency representatives and members of various government agencies discuss the creation of a national training center to support national security and the environment. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Representatives from the DTRA met officials of the Department of Health, the Department ...

Mariano Marcos State University. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO ILOCOS NORTE (August 13)—The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) will jointly promote sustainable bioenergy research and development (R&D) by pooling resources and expertise in leveling up bioethanol production. To achieve that, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the Batac City, Ilocos Norte-based MMSU and Pili, Camarines Sur-based CBSUA, said Daniel Tapaoan Jr., MMSU information officer. MMSU President Shirley Agrupis and CBSUA President Alberto Naperi signed the agreement for the Operationalization of the Bioenergy Research for Sustainable Development Program last July 17, formalizing the start of joint R&D initiatives on nip...

Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding during the 1st Laguna Robot LEGOlympics are Dr. Glenn Gregorio (second from right) and Mylene Abiva (second from left) with witnesses Joselito Florendo (right) and a representative from Felta Multi-Media (left). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO WINNERS of the 1st Laguna Robot LEGOlympics 2022 held at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) headquarters in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on July 15 will be competing at the Philippine Robotics Olympiad 2022 on August 13 at the Santa Rosa City Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. These high school students are from National University (NU)-Laguna and Alpha Angelicum Academy, respectively, who will also have the chanc...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BATAC CITY (August 11)—Ilocos Norte-based Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has started a collaborative discussion with the British Council (BC), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and four more state universities and colleges (SUCs) to work out plans for new transnational education (TNE) programs and create more opportunities for inclusive international learning and training. John Vincent Toribio, MMSU Information Services chief, noted that in line with the United Kingdom (UK)-Philippines Transnational Education Partnership, the learning session is an avenue for faculty and staff to strategize the development of educational programs through healthy discussions and knowledge and resources sharing. With this, MMSU International Linkages and Partnershi...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (August 8)—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) in partnership with SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV) was tapped by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to formulate the National Agriculture and Fishery Modernization and Industrialization Plan (Nafmip) 2021-2030. The Nafmip, which is the 10-year directional plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA), was launched during the 2022 National Farmers and Fisherfolks' Month in May with former Agriculture secretary William Dar leading the ceremonial acceptance of the plan by agri-fishery stakeholders. Farmers and fisherfolk signed a pledge of support to the Nafmip. Searca Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said the Nafmip is anchored on the "New Thinki...

LT. GEN. RODOLFO AZURIN JR. PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as chief of the Philippine National Police, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Monday, August 1, 2022. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy of the Makatao Class of 1989, Azurin is currently the commander of the Northern Luzon Police Area composed of the regions of Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3) and the Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR. Azurin was also the former commander of the Southern Luzon Police Area which include the regions of Calabarzon which comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Region 4-A); Mimaropa which comprises the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (R...

MaryKay Loss Carlson arrives in Manila to assume her post as United States Ambassador to the Philippines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MANILA (July 22)—The United States (US) Embassy is pleased to welcome MaryKay Loss Carlson as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.  Ambassador Carlson arrived last night in the Philippines, following consultations in Washington, D.C.  “I am thrilled to be in the Philippines and honored to represent the United States in this important relationship.  With the Philippines, our oldest treaty ally in Asia, we have a long history of shared sacrifice and incredibly close people-to-people ties,” Ambassador Carlson said.  “I look forward to working with the new government and our partners to upgrade and modernize our alliance to face new challenges, expand bil...

MANILA (June 30)—House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday said President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “will be a great President.” Romualdez joined the Filipino people in celebrating BBM’s inauguration as the country’s 17th President. “He made history by being the first majority President in modern times. I am sure he has his eyes on other extraordinary feats by having a legacy Filipinos will be proud of for many years and by being a great President,” Romualdez said. "President Marcos will play a pivotal role in uniting the nation which is key to moving the country to greater heights." Romualdez said he wishes President Marcos all the best as he leads a nation facing complex challenges like recovering from the Covid-19 pandemi...