Boac, Marinduque, Philippines — A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony between the Marinduque State University – College of Engineering (CEng) and the Bahi Agriculture Cooperative (BAC) was held on October 9, 2025, at the MarSU Board Room, Boac. The activity is part of the ongoing DA-ACEF-funded project of the MarSU College of Business and Accountancy titled “Scaling Up of Arrowroot Enterprise through Technology Transfer of Arrowroot Bagasse Products.”
The agreement was developed following an inspection by the College of Engineering at the BAC Arrowroot Processing Center on February 23, 2024, which revealed challenges in equipment utilization due to skill gaps and staff turnover. It also forms part of MarSU-CEng’s approved R&E project, “Empowering Local Experts for Machine Efficiency and New Technology (ELEMENT) of Bahi Agriculture Cooperative (BAC),” to be implemented over one year.
The MOA formalizes a partnership to strengthen BAC’s technical capacity in equipment operation, maintenance, and facilities management, while providing MarSU-CEng students and faculty with opportunities for community-based training, research, and extension services. MarSU-CEng will conduct training on machine operation, safety, and troubleshooting, and provide technical support through ad hoc consultations.
Present in the MOA Signing Ceremony were, MarSU President, Prof. Diosdado P. Zulueta, VP for Research, Extension, and Training Dr. Ma. Edelwina M. Blase; Extension Director, Dr. Doreen R. Mascareñas; DA-ACEF Arrowroot Project Leader, Dr. Michael V. Capiña; CEng Dean, Engr. Melito L. Hirondo; BAC Chairperson, Hon. Wilfredo M. Nazareno; BAC General Manager, Hon. Karen S. Sace; Engr. Valerie L. Maraon, CE Program Head; Engr. Nilo M. Buenaventura, EE Program Head; Engr. Gil M. Magdurulan, ME Program Head; Engr. Teodoro M. Ricamara, ECE Program Head; Engr. Antonio Jerold R. Lantoria, BSCpE Program Head; Engr. Mariano Jr. O. Llave, CEng Extension Coordinator; Engr. Bryan B. Jaranilla, CEng Research Coordinator; Ms. Geraldine Nambio, MarSU Extension Staff; and Ms. Evangeleen M. Prado, MarSU DA-ACEF Arrowroot Project Research Assistant.
[E.Prado | J. Breganza]