19 researches highlight SMAARRDEC 29th year

TAGUM City - The Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) showcased 19 researches from different member-government agencies in the Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) held at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Tagum City.

With 16 papers in research category and three in development category, the researches included studies on banana and other high-valued crops, marine resources like taklobo and seaweeds, pagatpat and rehabilitation on typhoon-pablo stricken communities.

Consortium vice chairperson’s and University of Southeastern Philippines President, Dr. Lourdes Generalao disclosed that since 1987, the 24 member-government agencies of the consortium holds during their founding anniversary with the annual regional symposium along with the Regional Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum.

Dr. Generalao stressed that the annual gathering assesses the research capabilities of the member-agencies and the impact of their studies to the community.

“Aside from giving award, this activity is also part of monitoring because we are accountable for the money of the government spent for researches,” she added. Dr. Generalao emphasized that they will select the best papers from each category, which will receive cash prizes of P5,000 each for the first placers, P3,000 for the second placers and P2,000 for the first placers. She also said that only the best paper per category will be endorsed to the national level and which will have a chance to win P100,000. Dr. Generalao also stressed that although two research papers will only qualify to the national level, the consortium will also send applicable papers to other scientific societies.