by Prof. Janet I. Triunfante and Dr. Benedicto B. Balilo

Legazpi City, July 21, 2023 – The 6th  Regional Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Conference and 35th BU In-house Review of Completed RD&E Undertakings concluded with great success at the Pepperland Hotel in Legazpi City. The event gathered distinguished evaluators from various institutions, BU Faculty Researchers and Extensionists, Research and Extension Coordinators, and other guests from different stakeholders.

Themed “Serving Humanity through Research, Extension, Development, and Innovation for Sustainable Societies,” the conference aimed to highlight the crucial role of research, extension, development, and innovation in building sustainable societies that cater to the needs of the people.

Participants presented their research papers in 7 breakout sessions under the eight thematic areas (TA) focusing on different aspects of societal development with 74 presentations. Each thematic area explored various topics relevant to the region and beyond. The papers were evaluated based on their contribution to the field, originality, and potential impact on society.

The winners of the paper presentations in various thematic areas are as follows:

Thematic Area 1: Environment and Natural Resource Systems Management and Development (ENRSMD)

Cesar A. Arao was awarded the Best Paper in the Research Category for his presentation on the “Level of Implementation of Solid Waste Management Ordinance of Bicol University.” In the same category, Nolan G. Belaro secured the 2nd Place with his research on the “Technical and Financial Feasibility of Establishing Municipal Infirmary of Sto. Domingo, Albay,” while Elmer A. Lorenzana earned the 3rd Place for his study on the “Economic Feasibility of Sanitary Landfill and Infirmary Facilities of Local Government Unit of Sto. Domingo, Albay.”

Thematic Area 2: Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCADRR)

Micah N. Miraflor bagged the Best Paper in the Research Category for presenting the “Multi-functional Sheltering Facility for Tourism and Disaster Risk Reduction.” Elmer A. Lorenzana secured the 2nd Place with his research on the “Status and Capability of Micro-entrepreneurs in Highly Vulnerable Barangays in Legazpi City on Disaster Preparedness and Business Recovery.”

Thematic Area 3: Socio-Economics, Culture and Arts, and Governance (SECAG)

Julieta V. Mojados took home the Best Paper in the Research Category for her presentation on “Enabling Policies for the Sustainable Competitiveness of the Pili Industry.” In the same category, Elmer A. Lorenzana earned the 2nd Place for his research on the “Resource Inventory and Mapping of Food Tourism and Assessment of their Operational Business Capacity in Albay and Catanduanes Provinces,” while Dimson M. Rivero secured the 3rd Place for his assessment on “The Capability of Micro Entrepreneurs in Business Continuity Planning in Highly Vulnerable Urban Areas in Legazpi City; An Assessment of Pre and Post Training.”

In the Development Category under SECAG, Leo A. Del Rosario was recognized for his outstanding paper “The Torch of Wisdom: Building a Landmark for the Bicol University.”

Thematic Area 5: Gender and Development (GAD)

Salvacion Laguilles- Villafuerte’s research on “To grow old with You: Phenomenologizing Filipino Older Adults’ Mentally Healthy Behaviors in Long-term Monogamous Relationships” was awarded the Best Paper in the Research Category. Gremil Alessandro A. Naz received the 2nd Place for his study on “The Themes Present in the Qualitative Portion of the Student Evaluation of Teachers with Emphasis on the Differences in Themes among the Sex and Academic Rank of Faculty Members.”

Thematic Area 6A: Inclusive Education and Lifelong Learning (IELL)

In the Research Category, Elmer A. Lorenzana secured the Best Paper for his presentation on “Review of the Academic Performance of 2022 Graduates with Honor.” Antonino B. Mendoza’s research on the “Knowledge and Awareness on the Natural and Unique Fishery Resources of Bicol Region, Philippines, of Elementary and High School Students in Selected Schools in Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines” earned the 2nd Place. Benedicto B. Balilo, Jr., received the 3rd Place for his study on “Publication and Citation Map Analysis of Bicol University Faculty Members from 1980 to 2020.”

In the Development Category, Alex P. Camaya’s paper on the “Integration of KADUNUNG IEC Topics into the DepEd K-12 Curriculum” was awarded the Best Paper. Sandra A. Casitas received the 2nd Place award on her paper “Embedding Global in Professional Education Courses on Curriculum and Pedagogy while Ruby L. Ayo was declared 3rd Place on her paper “Development and Validation of Sample AV-material in GEC Social Science Core Subject Embedding GCED.”

Thematic Area 6B: Inclusive Education and Lifelong Learning (IELL)

Joan B. Sionicio received the Best Paper in the Research Category for her presentation on “Challenges and Opportunities for K to 12 Mathematics Education in the New Normal.” Al Besmonte secured 2nd Place for his research on “Experiences, challenges, and Opportunities for K to 12 Science Education in the New Normal in Bicol, Philippines.”

Thematic Area 9: Food and Nutrition Security and Poverty Reduction (FNSPR)

Julieta V. Mojados secured another recognition for the Best Paper in the Research Category with her study on “Pili Research-Based Technology Assessment.”

In the Development Category, Mary Joy B. Catangui’s research on “The Practices in Extent of Adaptation on Processing Technologies Used in Making Sweet Potato Food Products of the Indigenous People in Albay” earned her the top spot, while Eden M. Llamera received the 2nd Place for her work on “Development and Standardization of Sweet Potato Plus Food Products: Enhancing the Processing Capability of the Indigenous People in Albay, Philippines.”

Thematic Area 8: Scientific, Technological Innovations and Techno-Entrepreneurship in Industry, Energy, Emerging Technologies for Global Competitiveness

Julieta V. Mojados secured a third recognition in the Research Category with her paper on “Geomapping of the Pili Trees in the Pilot Sites in the Province of Sorsogon, Philippines,” earning her the Best Paper award. Benyl John A. Arevalo’s research on “Synthesis and Characterization of Antigen-Loaded Chitosan Microparticles: A High Loading Biopolymeric Carrier for Oral Vaccine Development in Fish” secured the 2nd Place. Joyce Camille T. Cepe took the 3rd Place for her study on “Towards Technology Commercialization: An Assessment of the Generated Technologies from Research and Development in Bicol University, Philippines.”

Rollie N. Montealegre was recognized with the Best Paper in the Development Category for his work on the “Proposed Online Admission System for Bicol University Open University,” while Rosemarie R. Jadie secured the 2nd Place for her research on “Development, Formulation, and Acceptability of Herbal Soap from Abaca Sap, Fruits, Herbs, and Coconut Oil.”

The poster presentations also covered a wide array of topics, and the judges were impressed with the quality and creativity of the submissions. Among the top posters, the following stood out for their exceptional contributions:

Al Besmonte’s “Experiences, Challenges, and Opportunities for K to 12 Science Education in the New Normal in Bicol, Philippines” was awarded as the Best Poster, while Benedicto B Balilo, Jr.’s Publication and Citation Map Analysis of Bicol University Faculty Members from 1980” and Kay Guiriba-Losabia’s “Challenges of Selected HEIs in Facilitating Extension Services: Application of the Best-Fit Framework” got the 2nd and 3rd place award respectively.

Thematic Area 9: Extension and Community Engagement

Alberto B. Gonzales’ “Watershed Ecotourism: Unleashing the Potentials of Mt. Masaraga Watershed and Forest Reserve through Outdoor Learning and Agroforestry Farm Tourism” was awarded the Best Extension Paper. Ava Nicole B. Azotea received the 2nd Place for her extension paper on “Moving New Products from Concept to Market Launch: Developing Competencies Food Innovation Centers (FICs) in Selected Regions. Marck Zaldy O. Camba received 3rd Place for his paper “HULMA: Shaping Values Formation through Reading.

The 6th Regional RDE Conference and 35th BU In-house Review showcased the dedication and commitment of BU’s faculty and researchers towards contributing to the development of sustainable societies through research, extension, development, and innovation. These pioneering works hold the potential to transform the Bicol region and beyond for the better, serving humanity and nurturing progress for the future.

Publication Material by Ms. Angelica T. Blacer