Another two papers endorsed by the Bicol Consortium of Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD) were awarded ₱60,000.00 each as publication incentive.

The grant funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST – PCAARRD) is awarded under the Publication Incentives Program of the institution.

Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero from Bicol University (BU) clinched the ₱60k award with his paper entitled, Siderophore of Fungi from Lipa Clay Foam Soil, Philippines.

Meanwhile, from Partido State University (ParSU), Leo Constantine S. Bello was awarded the same amount with his paper, A Framework for Applying Semantic Web in the Design and Development of Web Portals for Agricultural Crops: The Pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) Case.

Two of Dr. Plutomeo Nieves' published papers were also awarded last year.

The DOST-PCAARRD Publication Incentives Program aims to motivate researchers to publish regularly quality research articles and to promote knowledge sharing by increasing publication record of the Council and the network and facilitate application of the research results.

The selection criteria of the program stated that the research results of the endorsed papers must be aligned with PCAARRD's banner programs or the harmonized national R&D agenda for the AANR sector as evidenced by a certification from the technical research division concerned. Also, the paper must be certified by the researcher's head of office that it has not been granted any publication incentive by any institution. Lastly, the research needs to be submitted to PCAARRD within six months from publication.

Interested applicants should take note that the incentive is limited to the principal researchers of on-going or completed PCAARRD or DOST-funded or coordinated programs.

The applicant can also be PCAARRD or Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program scholars, can also be a PCAARRD staff, and can also be researchers from the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network.

Those who meet the criteria in applying for the grant can coordinate with BCAARRD. (Julianne Nicolle G. Moral, SRA/BCAARRD)