The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) invested ₱4.9 million for the facilities improvement of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Tagum-Mabini Campus recently.
The investment is part of the Council’s initiative to support its partners in the region.
Titled, “Strengthening of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery Testing Center (AFMTC) at USeP Tagum-Mabini Campus,” the project is under the Grants-in-Aid of PCAARRD.
To formally kick off the project, an inception meeting was held on June 10, 2019 in Tagum City.
Present in the meeting were Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) Director Dr. Juanito T. Batalon; Institution Development Division (IDD) Officer-in-Charge Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena; and IDD staff members Engr. Wilmar J. Lastimosa and Mr. Victor P. Alcantara, all of DOST-PCAARRD.
Under the leadership of Dr. Roger C. Montepio and Dr. Sheila C. Cogay, the project is expected to be completed within a year. It aims to strengthen the Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery Testing Center (AFMTC) as well as enhance the capability of USeP’s AFMTC staff on machinery testing and to cater to the local fabricators’ needs in terms of certification for equipment at USeP Tagum Unit, Tagum-Mabini Campus.
Also present in the meeting were USeP’s Chancellor Dr. Ben-hur C. Rafosala; Accountant Ms. Jhuanivy Deputado; Research Director Dr. Gilbert A. Importante; and USeP project support staff.