PASUC VI convenes 2nd research summit

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

KEY PERSONNEL. (From left to right) CHED 6's Virginia Resurreccion, 
RMC Chairperson Geronimo Gregorio and PASUC 6 President Benny Palma

The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) VI, an aggregate of eleven state universities and colleges across Western Visayas led by its Research Management Council chaired by Dr. Geronimo Gregorio of the Capiz State University (CapSU), hosted the 2nd Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights at the Teleconferencing Room in West Visayas State University on October 29, 2010.

Under the theme “Mobilizing the SUC’s Research Capability toward Globally Competitive Education, Science and Technology,” the regional research summit convened some 42 research papers coming from 10 SUCs in the region.

In her keynote speech, Dr. Virginia Resurreccion, director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 6, stressed the importance of research in the mandate of higher education institutions (HEIs). According to her, research is what virtually separates HEIs from basic education. Resurreccion encouraged all to do research citing that it has been made a requisite for faculty belonging to HEIs.


Presenting the researches aided by their commission, Resurreccion advised the audience that should approach their university president and research coordinator in undertaking research projects. CHED 6 has already opened a regional research center in order to cater to the needs of researchers in Western Visayas.

Of the 42 papers presented, the “Bio-physico-Chemical Attributes of Mature Nuts of Coconut Hybrids as Quality Indices for Economic Utilization” presented by Dr. Federito Launio of CapSU topped the 14 papers presented in the Natural and Biological Sciences category; while the “Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of Electric Motor-Driven Shredder by Engr. Salvador Ballano of the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF) San Enrique Campus won Best Paper over eight others in the Technology and Development Category. The “WVSU College Freshmen Entry Mathematical Competencies, SY 2008–2009” by Dr. Cherry Nepomuceno of WVSU clinched the top prize in the Social Sciences category, beating 19 other papers.


Cited Best Poster was the “Awareness regarding Schistosomiasis (Snail Fever) among the Residents of Laga-an, Calatrava, Negros Occidental: Basis for Health Education Program” by Roselo Ocampo and Jocelyn Bantigue of the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST).

Winners received plaques of recognition and 1,000 pesos cash prize each.

Panel of evaluators were officials of regional offices and agencies. Prof. Joseph Edward Idemne, director of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium; Dir. Joyce Wendam of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Ms. Emelyn Peñaranda of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 composed the Social Sciences category panel.


Mr. Felipe Pachoco of the Metals Industry and Research Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr. Nenie Galido of CHED Region 6 and Ms Perlita Mecha of DA all served in the Technology and Development Category panel; while Dr. Alicia Lustica and Conrado Marquez, both of the Ecological Research and Development Services of DENR Region 6 and Dr. Cora Arroyo of DA’s Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center evaluated the papers for the Natural and Biological Sciences category.