The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices Luzon Cluster, conducted the 2024 Luzon Regional Scientific Meeting (RSM) at the NGN Gran Hotel, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan last April 29-30, 2024.
The Luzon RSM featured five plenary sessions with several speakers and discussants, and a scientific poster competition that featured research from different regions in Luzon to promote conversations on this year’s theme “Beyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine Food System to Address Equity, Consumer Health, and Environmental Issues”.
Present during the Scientific Meeting with around 300 participants comprising academicians, researchers, students, guests, various Regional Directors and representatives from the DOST Luzon Cluster, NAST PHL Officials, Regional Line Agencies, National Government Agencies, and private institutions attended.
Aside from this, one of the components of the Luzon RSM is the Scientific Poster Competition. The CALABARZON region was represented by its Top 3 regional winners from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the Cavite State University (CvSU).
The UPLB won the Best Scientific Poster with their study “Health-Promoting Properties and Consumer Acceptability of Novel Vinegar-based Beverage from Selected Philippine Indigenous Fruits”, authored by Dr. Rona Camille M. Lizardo-Agustin, Dr. Katherine Ann T. Castillo-Israel, Ms. Alithea Q. Jumawan, Vince Ellison P. Leyeza, Vanessa P. Cruzat, Precious O. Papa, and Marie Antoniette E. Fauni.
Dr. Ruel M. Mojica of the CvSU presented their research “Analysis of Consumer Behavior, Preferences, Market, and Dynamics of High-Quality Coffee Blends: Implications for Market Potential and Technology Commercialization” while Ms. Sheryl D. Fenol of CvSU presented “Coffee Fruit and Seed Morphology Measurement Device using Computer Vision”.
On the second day, a scientific resolution was drafted, integrating the comments and discussions during the plenary sessions which focused on issues and concerns about agriculture, livelihood, entrepreneurship, environment, health, nutrition, food systems, and technology. The resolution will be further discussed and presented will be further discussed and finalized during the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera, Regional Director of DOST – Region 2, then led the Turnover Ceremony, signifying DOST CALABARZON will be hosting next year’s Luzon RSM.
Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, Regional Director of the DOST CALABARZON delivered the closing remarks for the meeting, highlighting the importance of transforming the Philippine food system for the better and how DOST’s four pillars of human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability encompasses such initiative.
Note to editors: DOST-CALABARZON is one of the regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology and is located at Jamboree Road, Brgy. Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna. For more information, you may visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/dostcalabarzon or website www.region4a.dost.gov.ph. You may also reach us at parcu@ro4a.dost.gov.ph.
