First BCAARRD RRDCC Meeting for CY2020
The members of the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) meets on 23 January 2020 for their First Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) Meeting hosted by Bicol University. It can be noted that the last RRDCC meeting slated on 03 December 2019 did not push through due to typhoon Tisoy.
The Council discussed matters on the priorities of BCAARRD. Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, RRDCC Chair of BCAARRD highlighted the following focal points for the Consortium: 1) Attendance of heads and representatives of Consortium Member Institutions (CMIs) to the RRDCC meetings and other Consortium meetings; 2) improve research performance as a Consortium not as individual agency doing research; 3) develop Consortium-R&D led initiatives; and 4) address the R&D priorities of the members.
One of the concerns discussed in the meeting was the synchronization of the R&D Agenda in the Region. Ms. Agnes E. Tolentino, NEDA 5 Director mentioned the accomplishment of the Research and Development Committee (RDC) and the Bicol Research and Development Agenda that support the regional development plan. Such plan is the framework that can provide the direction for all the researches in the Consortium. Ms. Cora Orbon of DA RFO V also shared the framework of DA that was anchored on the paradigm of modernization, industrialization, export potential of commodities, consolidation of small-and-medium-size farms, infrastructure development, road mapping, legislative support, and higher budget and investment. With BCAARRD-PCAARRD partnership, Director Estrella explained that there are identified focus commodities/areas for the Consortium. One is on pili, another is on scallops for aquatic and S&T Action Frontlines for Emergencies and Hazards (SAFE) which is actually within the area of CCA-DRRM. BCAARRD’s projects and programs are anchored on the regional and national thrusts and directions to support developmental initiatives in the Bicol Region.
In a recent development, BCAARRD was able to get the approval of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for its Pili NICER (Niche R&D Center for the Region) Program. It is a Consortium-led program spearheaded by Bicol University in collaboration with Partido State University (ParSU) and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA). It includes research, extension and capability enhancement activities to respond to various issues & concerns raised by the pili stakeholders. The project components of said Program is now forging Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with other CMIs and private or non-government organizations to strengthen partnership and meet the deliverables in the entire Program.
For three years, the CMIs will be busy in implementing the Pili NICER but they can also submit more proposals. The members identified the lead institutions in preparing proposals for other commodities like abaca, crabs, batuan, etc. Likewise, Catanduanes State University and Partido State University will join in preparing the proposal for this year’s BCAARRD FIESTA which will feature technologies in Aquatic resources.
Another highlight of the RRDCC meeting for 2020 is the official announcement that PhilRice Bicol has been accepted and is the newest member of BCAARRD. Hence, the Consortium now has 22 CMIs.
PCAARRD was represented by Dr. Ernie Brown, who is now the new Focal Person to BCAARRD. In the previous years, Dir. Marita A. Carlos served as PCAARRD Focal Person to the Consortium.
The meeting was well attended by 20 members out of the total 22 CMIs: PCAARRD, DOST V, NEDA V, DA RFO V, DTI V, PGA-APAO, ATI V, BFAR V, PCA-ARC, PhilRice Bicol, BU, CBSUA, CNSC, CatSU, DEBESMSCAT, ParSU, SSC, BISCAST, ADNU and CSPC. (Mary Jean M. Naz, BCAARRD)