With the common goal of ensuring the country’s development and well-being of its people, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquaticand Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) has forged a partnership with First Gen Corporation (First Gen) to advance the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector of the country through clean and sustainable energy. This partnership is a step forward in the shared advocacy and mandates of both DOST-PCAARRD and First Gen as they jointly build a long-term and strategic partnership to help communities.
The partnership was realized through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held last February 3, 2023, at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC) in Los Baños, Laguna. The event was also streamed via Facebook Live.
The MOU was signed by DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora and First Gen Vice President Shirley H. Cruz, and witnessed by DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (ARMSS) Melvin B. Carlos, and First Gen Corporate Social Responsibility Senior Manager Janice Ortanez-Dugan. Members of the DOST-PCAARRD Director’s Council were also present during the event.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Ebora underscored the MOU signing as a good venue to showcase DOST-PCAARRD’s technologies as well as to promote First Gen’s advocacies and mandates.
“Despite the difference between our agencies’ mandates and focus, we can say that DOST-PCAARRD and First Gen share a common goal: to ensure our country's development and sustainability for the welfare of our people,” he said. Dr. Ebora also emphasized the collaboration and exchange of information, technical guidance, and collective influence to nurture an initiative that is holistic, S&T-based, and sustainable.
Likewise, First Gen Vice President Cruz expressed her pleasure, on behalf of the company, to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Council.
Group photo during the activity (Image Credit: Technology Transfer and Promotion Division)
“We know that through this partnership, we will be able to provide opportunities for the farmers and fisherfolk in First Gen’s host communities,” she said. She added that technologies and innovations from DOST-PCAARRD will be instrumental for those communities to achieve productivity and economic growth.
To initially explore possible areas for collaboration, Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) Director Noel A. Catibog also presented the DOST-PCAARRD's technology transfer initiatives and the importance of technology transfer to ensure the AANR sector’s productivity and resiliency.
To conclude the event, Dr. Carlos shed light on this rare and unique window of opportunity for the AANR communities to start contributing to a regenerative future by accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources and greening the supply chain. He recognized First Gen as a leading independent powerproducer utilizing clean and indigenous fuels in the Philippines.
“With this partnership, our hope of having livable, sustainable, resilient, and smart AANR communities has now become more attainable,” he said.
Dr. Carlos further stressed that DOST-PCAARRD and First Gen are now more equipped in developing practical solutions for the problems faced by smallholder farmers and fisherfolk to help them embrace clean energy and work towards decarbonization.
DOST-PCAARRD is a sectoral council of DOST that formulates policies, plans, and programs for science and technology (S&T)-based research and development (R&D). It also spearheads technology transfer initiatives in the AANR sector and collaborates with the members of the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network (NAARRDN) to implement its technology transfer initiatives. The Council also provides technologies on agri-aqua production, harvesting, and postharvesting systems for the benefit of smallholder farmers and fisherfolk.
On the other hand, First Gen, a Filipino clean and renewable energy company, through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, wishes to help develop and improve the quality of its stakeholders through relevant, responsive, and regenerative programs on environment, education, livelihood, particularly in the agri-aqua sector.
The vast potential of public-private partnerships, such as DOST-PCAARRD and First Gen’s, is expected to unlock more benefits for communities and the AANR sector.