Benguet State University (BSU) successfully hosted a three-day hybrid event that reviewed the projects under the second and fourth batches of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) National Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) program. It also discussed its overall evaluation and an in-depth assessment of the 25 ATBIs supported by the DOST-PCAARRD. 

The activities were facilitated by BSU and the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) from February 11 to 13, 2025 at the BSU-ATBI Innovation Center in La Trinidad, Benguet. 

BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan, in his welcome remarks, emphasized the crucial role that technology transfer plays in driving innovation and development. Through the technology business incubation (TBI) program, BSU not only advances its own mission but also empowers surrounding communities, fostering sustainable growth and economic opportunities in the region.

Director Noel A. Catibog of DOST-PCAARRD’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) commended the ATBI team for their successful project implementation. He highlighted the core purpose of research and development (R&D) in solving critical challenges and addressing the needs of the local community and the role  of ATBIs  as innovation agents that influence the impact of the R&D program results, such as tangible technologies.  His message underscored the transformative potential of these projects, particularly in creating solutions that are both innovative and relevant to local stakeholders.

The event served as a collaborative platform for participants to engage in workshops, discussions, and presentations focused on evaluating the ATBI program’s effectiveness, impact, and areas requiring improvement. These activities were pivotal in identifying the program’s strengths and potential areas for growth, ensuring that future iterations would be more impactful.

Moreover, each implementing agency had the opportunity to present its  project accomplishments, providing a comprehensive overview of  its contributions. This not only showcased the achievements of the ATBI program but also fostered a culture of knowledge- and best practices-sharing. 

CLSU, in line with its objectives under the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program, spearheaded the evaluation of the overall impact of the ATBIs. Their assessment focused on understanding how the incubators have influenced the host institutions, the incubatees and acceleratees, as well as the broader communities they serve. This evaluation was crucial in demonstrating the tangible benefits of the ATBI program in terms of socio-economic development and the enhancement of local innovation ecosystems.

The event provided invaluable insights into the progress and future direction of the ATBI program, reaffirming its potential to drive sustainable development, foster innovation, and create lasting positive change in the regions. 

As of December 2024, the program has supported 407 incubatees, created 1,711 job opportunities and generated a total income of P118.7M. Additionally, the incubators have nurtured and transferred 255 technologies, generating P12M in revenue. This further strengthens the program’s impact on economic growth and innovation. Through these achievements and collective efforts, the ATBI program continues to evolve, meeting both the needs of local communities and the broader objectives of technology transfer and business incubation.

One key takeaway during the activity is that the goal of each ATBI should not be to simply fill spaces or count milestones but to select individuals who align with and contribute to the program’s vision and objectives. When incubatees do not stay or fail to thrive, it is not just a missed opportunity for them, but also a significant loss for the program. By carefully vetting candidates, ATBIs ensure they invest in individuals with the potential to grow, innovate, and bring real value, ultimately driving the incubator’s long-term success and sustainability.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) is future-proofing the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector with the formation of the Foresight and Strategic Insights Unit (FSIU). This move is a significant step towards a proactive and resilient AANR sector.

The newly established unit will enhance DOST-PCAARRD’s strategic plans and R&D roadmaps by integrating strategic foresight and future thinking into its plans and operation. It will also strengthen the Council’s capacity to apply strategic foresight across priority areas through comprehensive foresight capacity building. 

The United Nations Development Programme defined foresight as a systematic and participatory visioning process that enables present-day decisions to be mobilized through joint action. It promotes a proactive culture by allowing institutions to identify emerging technologies and research priorities that are more strategic and better prepared to address future opportunities, challenges, and concerns.

FSIU will function as a sub-unit under the Policy Analysis and Information Management Unit (PAIMU) of the Council’s Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD).

DOST-PCAARRD and its foresight initiatives

DOST-PCAARRD has been trailblazing in championing foresight in the AANR sector with the conduct of its first foresight exercise as part of its capacity development plan in 2008.

In 2021, the Council implemented the DOST-funded project, “Development and Institutionalization of DOST Foresight Framework and Protocol,” that capacitated 106 DOST personnel and established the DOST Foresight Core Team and Sectoral Foresight Technical Working Group. This initiative culminated in the development of the Foresight Resource Book, a tailored manual for conducting foresight within the organization.

Building on these gains, the Office of the Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services (OUSEC-STS), headed by Ms. Maridon M. Sahagun, tapped DOST-PCAARRD to implement the Congress-Introduced-Initiative-funded project, "Sustainable Development, Futures Thinking and Innovation Office: Enhancing the Foresight Capacity of DOST,” which was launched in 2023. The project trained an additional 79 DOST personnel and produced 7  foresight reports that covered science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem, climate change adaptation, emerging health technologies, sustainable communities, volcanology and seismology, R&D governance, and advanced technologies.  

The Council’s commitment to forward foresight extends beyond internal initiatives. It supports various foresight-centered projects, including the PAGTANAW 2050, which produced the STI foresight document of the Philippines.

Influencing the Future

With the institutionalization of foresight, DOST-PCAARRD is poised to undergo a sectoral transformation that will impact daily operations, long-term planning, and future-proofing. This forward-thinking approach will enable the Council to become more agile, responsive, and proactive in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the AANR sector. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to embed a foresight culture within the Council, promoting well-informed, proactive, and systematic S&T policy-making in the AANR sector.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) spearheaded a visit of international intellectual property (IP) experts to Los Baños, Laguna, to showcase local efforts toward sustainable waste management last February 19, 2025.

Among the highlights of the activity is the visit to Los Baños Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and Insiklo PH headquarters. A beneficiary of DOST-PCAARRD’s Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) Program, Insiklo is a Los Baños-based waste management enterprise. . Insiklo houses a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) facility that consumes approximately 500 kilograms of waste from the Los Baños Public Market.

The visit was led by Insiklo’s Chief Executive Officer Joseph Mario M. Navasero. He is also the project leader of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, “Waste to Feed Fertilizer: Bioconversion of Market, Food, Household Wastes, and Agricultural By-products into High-Value Feed and Organic Fertilizer using Black Soldier Fly (BSF).’ 

In a courtesy call, Los Baños Mayor, Hon. Anthony F. Genuino, met with the IP Collegium, Mr. Navasero, and DOST-PCAARRD. The meeting opened up discussions about government waste management initiatives and future collaborations of the Mayor’s office with DOST-PCAARRD.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) supported the four-day training, “Valuation, Spatial Analysis, and Data Analytics of Ecosystem Services.” 

Held from February 12 to 15, 2025 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) in Pacdal, Baguio City, the training was organized by the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, “Valuation and Accounting of Ecosystem Services (VALUES) Lab: Building Capacity for Sustainable Forest and Natural Resources Management,” led by Dr. Canesio D. Predo from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB).

The training aimed to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the theory and practice of ecosystem services assessment and valuation. It covered different valuation methods and data analytics using Stata and InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-Offs) softwares. With Dr. Predo were other resource speakers from UPLB: Dr. Asa Jose U. Sajise, Dr. Margaret M. Calderon, Dr. Ma. Angeles O. Catelo, Dr. Analyn L. Codilan, Dr. Cristino L. Tiburan, and Ms. Jess Riel R. Terbio.

In a dedicated plenary session, Ms. Gemmalyn M. Trespalacio of DOST-PCAARRD’s Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) also presented the DOST Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector, focusing on the policy analysis and advocacy agenda and initiatives on environmental services. Meanwhile, Dr. Codilan discussed the requirements in packaging proposals. They also addressed inquiries and offered practical advice to participants.

The training gathered 36 participants from eight State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), three National Government Agencies (NGAs), and one Local Government Unit (LGU) across Luzon. As an output of the workshop, participants were expected to develop 11 research proposals designed to be viable for funding from institutions such as PCAARRD.

This Northern Luzon leg is part of a series of training workshops across the country conducted by the VALUES Lab. The initiative aims to capacitate and strengthen the pool of human resources leading research on ecosystem service valuation, spatial analysis, and data analytics. Additional workshops are scheduled to take place in the Bicol Region and Laguna during the first half of the year.