Malacañang conferred the 44th National Scientist of the Philippine
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TAGUIG CITY — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. recently signed the Proclamation No. 643, s. 2024 conferring Dr. Romulo G. Davide to the Order of National Scientists.Dr. Davide becomes the 44th Filipino to be honored with this prestigious award, joining an esteemed group of individuals who have significantly impacted scientific research and knowledge in the Philippines
National Scientist Romulo G. Davide is recognized for his groundbreaking and substantial contributions to the agricultural sciences, particularly in plant pathology and nematology. His dedication is exemplified by his work on the epidemiology, host range, life cycle, taxonomy, and management of plant-parasitic nematodes.
Dr. Davide’s development of the Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) has positively impacted the lives of 70,000 Filipino farmers. Through his steadfast mentorship and commitment as a professor, his students and mentees now lead the field of plant pathology and nematology, earning him the title "Father of Philippine Nematology."
Loving the Tree of Love
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Chocolates are always present in everyone’s gift list in the Philippines throughout the Christmas and Valentines seasons because of their symbolism and attachment to special affection and love. And the cacao beans are the only source for chocolates. This is why Cacao has been dubbed as the Tree of Love.
The majority of the cacao beans and chocolates are produced in Mindanao island. According to the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap 2021-2025, the Davao region contributes 78% of the national cacao production having 7,257.85 metric tons (MT) planted in 19,975 hectares of land in 2020. In 2021, Republic Act No. 11547 declared Davao City as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines while the whole Davao Region, composed of Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro, as the Cacao Capital.
Abalone, lonely no more
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ILOILO CITY – Abalone may not be as popular as mussel (or tahong) and oyster (talaba), but it is the most expensive shellfish in the country, commanding a price range of 300-600 pesos per kg locally and USD 12-120 per kg in international markets. With its great potential as one of the possible torchbearers of the Philippine economy, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) included it as one of the focus rural industries (in addition to cacao and cassava) of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Targeting the Appropriate Technological Maturity of Rural Industries under the Special Concerns Program.
Headed by Acd. Roel R. Suralta, the TWG spearheaded the conduct of a focus group discussion (FGD) on the best practices, constraints, and opportunities in the adoption of appropriate technologies for the abalone industry on 25 June 2024 in Iloilo City, a City of Gastronomy under UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.
As shared by the FGD participants, the abalone industry requires more research on the technology for hatchery, nursery, and grow-out culture to determine its suitability to local conditions. It was also emphasized that in-depth studies be done on the feeding process, apart from probiotics, formulated diets mixed with gulaman, preference for flaky feeds, and diatoms, to ensure the adaptability of the industry across the region. Additionally, it is preferred to feed on red seaweeds (Gracilariopsis bailinae). However, the continuous supply of these seaweeds is one of the limiting factors in the abalone industry.