Partido State University President Dr. Raul G. Bradecina and Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Executive Director Kennedy T. Costales formally signed Memorandum of Agreements on abaca collaboration projects last September 1, 2022. The activity of MOA signing was held at the Office of the Executive Director of PhilFIDA on the 3rd floor of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office in Quezon City. It was witnessed by Engr. Joel P. Sadol as the PSU Salogon Campus Dean and Engr. Orlando D. Cocal as the Officer-in-Charge of the Technical Assistance Division of PhilFIDA.
These said projects aimed to establish abaca nursery center and demonstration farm at Salogon Campus. The projects were the initiatives of Engr. Sadol and Engr. Cocal in order that the abaca farmers of Camarines Sur have free access to abaca seedlings through the nursery center and an area for abaca research, extension, and production activities of Salogon Campus faculty and students through a demonstration farm.
The major role of PhilFIDA in the MOAs is to finance the establishment of the abaca nursery center and abaca demonstration farm. On the other hand, the university shall establish a solar-powered irrigation system for the nursery and should provide a 3-hectare area for the demonstration farm. The university properties located in Salogon Campus and in Digdigon, Goa, Camarines Sur were validated by the abaca technical personnel of PhilFIDA as potential areas for the establishment of this demonstration farm.
Before the MOA signings, Director Costales oriented the PSU officials who attended the activity about the nature of abaca farming in the Philippines and its business opportunities. The University officials were composed of Prof. Patricia M. Candelaria-Vice President for Research, Extension, and Knowledge Management, Prof. Rosemarie A. Tarbardillo - Director, Extension and Community Services; Prof. Luisa M. Lanciso - Partido State University-Research and Development Division Director; and Dr. Michael A. Clores - PSU Caramoan Campus Dean. After the orientation, PSU President, Dr. Raul G. Bradecina, shared his insights and personal experiences about the abaca industry. The attendees of the activity have high hopes for a better future for abaca farmers in the entire country of the Philippines. (𝙅𝙋𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙡)
