Despite the current limitations brought by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) on 29 March 2021 via Zoom.
SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio (top) and BASC President Dr. Jameson H. Tan, each holds a copy of the MOU between SEARCA and BASC that they signed in a virtual ceremony on 29 March 2021.
Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, and Dr. Jameson H. Tan, BASC President, signed the MOU between their institutions with Mr. Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration, and Dr. Susan C. Santos, BASC Vice President for Research, Extension, Production and Development, as witnesses.
BASC is the lone higher agricultural educational institution in the province of Bulacan. It was established in 1952 and chartered as an agricultural college in 1998. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in agriculture and is a Level III institution based on the Association of Accrediting Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP).
In his remarks, Dr. Gregorio highlighted SEARCA’s priority in partnering with the academe, industry, and government as part of its 11th Five-Year Plan and stressed that the collaboration with BASC and those with other neighboring institutions is a good start.
“We are glad to have this opportunity to extend our arms outside Laguna in other Philippine regions,” Dr. Gregorio added.
Dr. Tan responded that "BASC strongly believes that a partnership with SEARCA would further improve its performance to fulfill its mandate.”
Further, the SEARCA Director mentioned that SEARCA shares BASC’s commitment to develop faculty and engage educators in research and extension activities. He said SEARCA can also assist BASC in bridging proposals to the different funding agencies and grants.
“We are one with you in improving agricultural systems, research, and extension by creating innovation. Let us start making this partnership a fruitful one,” Dr. Gregorio affirmed.
The MOU signing was witnessed by (clockwise from top left): Dr. Susan C. Santos, Vice President for Research, Extension, Production and Development; Dr. Herminio B. Giron, Vice President for Administrative, Finance, Planning and Business Affairs; Dr. Julita P. Mendoza, Dean of the College of Agriculture, all of BASC while the SEARCA delegation was comprised of Mr. Sonny P. Pasiona, Senior Communications Associate; Dr. Romeo V. Labios, Operations Consultant for Partnerships; Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Operations Consultant for Emerging Innovation for Growth; Ms. Beatrisa L. Martinez, SEARCA Executive Coordinator to the Director; Ms. Maria Teresa B. Ferino, Senior Administrative Associate; Mr. Nathan P. Felix, Senior Public Relations Associate; Mr. Benedict A. Juliano, Unit Head for Applied Knowledge and Resources Unit; Mr. Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration; (center from left) Ms. Corinta C. Guerta, Technical Advisor to the Director; and Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, Program Head for Education and Collective Learning Department.
The BASC officers present during the signing ceremony were Dr. Santos; Dr. Herminio B. Giron, Vice President for Administrative, Finance, Planning and Business Affairs; and Dr. Julita P. Mendoza, Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Witnesses to the signing from SEARCA were Mr. Florendo; Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, Program Head for Research and Thought Leadership; Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Operations Consultant for Emerging Innovation for Growth; Dr. Romeo V. Labios, Operations Consultant for Partnerships; Mr. Benedict A. Juliano, Unit Head for Applied Knowledge and Resources; Ms. Corinta C. Guerta, Technical Advisor to the Director; Ms. Beatrisa L. Martinez, Executive Coordinator, Office of the Director; Ms. Leah Lyn D. Domingo, Public Relations Specialist; Mr. Nathan P. Felix, Senior Public Relations Associate; Mr. Sonny P. Pasiona, Senior Communications Associate; and Ms. Maria Teresa B. Ferino, Senior Administrative Associate.