From consortium officials to secretariat staff, the PCAARRD Regional Consortia convened for its first national summit on October 8-10, 2025 at the Kingsford Hotel Manila in Parañaque City. This historic event formally marked the golden anniversary of the Council’s regional research and development (R&D) consortium system, while also providing a venue for sharing best practices, strengthening collaboration, and developing the six-year consortium roadmaps.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has laid its medium-term vision for the 50-year-old consortium system through a series of plenary sessions and collaborative workshops. The sessions and workshops focused on future-proofing of PCAARRD in the regions, enhancing R&D alliances in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector, and forging international collaboration constitute the three new thrusts that are aligned with the Council’s banner programs, all of which will guide Consortia in the succeeding years.
Welcoming 120 participants, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora underscored the lasting impact of the Council’s consortium system, noting that it has not only helped carry PCAARRD’s mission and vision but also remained steadfast on its own. Dr. Ebora further emphasized that the PCAARRD’s consortium model has set the benchmark for collaborative frameworks among government line agencies, demonstrating that collaboration rooted in shared responsibility lasts and works. Moreover, CVAARRD Consortium Director Dr. Miladis B. Mabutol’s opening message centered on a pair of words: BUILD and THRIVE, urging the consortia officials and staff to continuously seek ways to promote partnership and adapt sustainable strategies for the evolving needs of the AANR sector.
Ms. Sharon P. Batoon, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Office of the Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (OED-ARMSS), introduced the participants and presented the rationale of the three-day summit. She emphasized two main objectives: strengthening collaboration and setting directions for the next operational cycles, while reflecting on the consortia’s progress since their inception in 1975. She also outlined the summit’s expected output, which is the six-year roadmap outlining the future initiatives of the regional consortia in line with the new cycle thrusts.
Opening every plenary session was Deputy Executive Director for ARMSS Melvin B. Carlos, who provided a comprehensive overview of the new cycle thrusts, collectively aimed at empowering regional R&D systems, solidifying inter-regional and inter-organizational alliances, and forging international partnerships and collaboration. Dr. Carlos presented the objectives of each thrust, explaining how the Regional Consortia can align their programs to better respond to sectoral needs. He also highlighted the importance of these thrusts in maximizing the opportunities to strengthen collaboration, promote innovation, and enhance the overall impact of R&D initiatives in the regions.
Some PCAARRD Directors and senior staff also graced the summit, leading in-depth discussions on the Council’s ongoing programs and projects and pipeline initiatives relevant to the regional consortia’s new cycle thrusts. Ms. Josette B. San Luis, Senior Science Research Specialist of the Office of the Executive Director for Research and Development (OED-RD), discussed the PCAARRD’s four banner programs, the Industry Strategic Science and Technology Programs (ISPs), and the R&D agenda for the AANR sector. This was followed by a presentation on Enhancing the Agri-Aqua Innovation Ecosystem through Technology Transfer, led by Director Noel A. Catibog of the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD).
Consortia officials and staff showed particular interest in flagship Human Resources Development (HRD) and Facilities Development Programs managed by the Institution Development Division (IDD) and presented by the division’s director, Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena. Centered on the Council’s support to knowledge-sharing and technology promotion initiatives in the regions, Director Marita A. Carlos of the Applied Communication Division (ACD) facilitated a session on PCAARRD’s existing communication and promotion platforms. It was followed by a presentation from the Management Information Systems Division (MISD) director, Dr. Richard E. Amansec, on the Council’s major efforts in ICT and Knowledge Management.
Moreover, highlighting a people-centered approach in formulating evidence-based recommendations and advocating policy positions on matters involving S&T in the AANR sector, Ms. Monica B. Castillo, Senior Science Research Specialist of the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD), presented the division’s ongoing and key proposed PAPs involving the consortia. Concluding the first day’s plenary session, Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Abegail Grace M. Pampolina, discussed the proposed program on digitalization of Grants-in-Aid (GIA) financial reporting through the GIA Financial Management Information System (FinMIS).
Key representatives from the consortia also took part in the activity by sharing their best practices and experiences in inter-organizational, inter-consortia, and international collaborations to help align understanding on the second and third thrusts. Bringing more than 20 years of established alliance with the Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Fisheries Resources Research and Extension for Development Network (DA-AFRREDN), Director of the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP), Dr. Santiago T. Peña presented the ViCARP-AFRREDN collaboration. This was complemented with a sharing of insights and strategies on collaborative activities in the regions by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) director, Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog and the Cordillera Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (CorCAARRD) director, Dr. Ruth S. Batani that both focused on strengthening collaboration with other regional R&D networks within DOST, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and DA.
As part of the major leaps, Cavite State University (CvSU) professor, Dr. Ruel M. Mojica, presented a work-in-progress framework on internationalization, while soliciting inputs from the regional consortia. Aimed at scaling up, adapting, and localizing globally proven agricultural innovations for Filipino farming communities, Dr. Mojica urged the participants to be involved in identifying globally recognized agricultural technologies that can be adapted locally; facilitate partnerships between local implementers and international R&D organizations; develop pilot-scale demonstrations in selected communities; establish knowledge-sharing and training platforms; and generate policy recommendations for sustaining scaled innovations. Sharing recent experiences from benchmarking activities abroad, Ms. Melinda P. Petalcorin (ViCARP Technology Transfer Cluster Coordinator) and Dr. Mabutol (CVAARRD) helped set more realistic expectations in stepping into the early stages of forming partnerships and collaborations beyond borders.
Marking the end of the three-day national summit, the consortia officials and staff signified their continued support to the regional R&D system through a celebratory signing of the commitment board. Guided by a shared vision, the PCAARRD regional consortia affirm their steadfast commitment to advancing R&D through science, technology, and innovation to empower communities, nurture sustainability, and transform the AANR sector into a thriving engine of regional and national development.
The PCAARRD regional consortium mechanism has been a cornerstone in regional S&T planning, R&D coordination, project implementation, and resource sharing. It mobilizes the strengths of member agencies through partnership and collaboration, fostering innovation and development in the AANR sector. By addressing challenges like R&D prioritization, limited funding, and duplication of efforts, the consortia have created a robust platform for joint reviews, stakeholder consultations, and resource-sharing initiatives, promoting synergy and optimization of resources.