Posted on by Information Officer

Torrijos, Marinduque, Philippines — In a significant boost to its research and extension capabilities, MSC’s College of Agriculture in Torrijos, led by its Dean, Prof. Marilyn A. Mayores, with the support of MSC President Prof. Diosdado P. Zulueta, proudly announces the delivery of state-of-the-art equipment for one of its laboratories.

This milestone was made possible through the generous support of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (DA-ACEF) Research Facilities Development Grant (RFDG) Program entitled “Upgrading of Crop Protection Laboratory for MSC Torrijos” amounting to Php 5,000,000.00 which was proposed by Mr. Adrian S. Mausig, Dr. Alexander M. Pascua and Mr. Eulogio R. Medina, Jr.

The project mainly aims to upgrade the Crop Protection Laboratory and acquire laboratory equipment for the production and distribution of crop protection products and biological control agents.

According to Mr. Mausig, MSC Torrijos seeks the assistance of the Department of Agriculture –Bureau of Agricultural Research ACEF Research Facilities Development Grant(RFDG) for research facility upgrading. The funding support will capacitate the institution to have a fully-functional Crop Protection Laboratory that conforms to the standards of the National Building Code of the Philippines and other pertinent regulations concerning the operation of a science laboratory. The fund will be utilized for the upgrading and expansion of the existing laboratory and the acquisition of laboratory equipment. The full operation of the Crop Protection Laboratory will warrant the effective implementation of research and extension initiatives that will support the farmers and other agricultural workers in the province.

The newly acquired instruments arrived on April 17, 2024. They were installed by the supplier on May 3, 2024 and inspected on the same day as well by Internal Audit Services Unit headed by Mr. Romell Morales, Ms. Maricel Go-IAS Deputy Head together with the Supply and Property Management personnel, Ms. Cherry Ann Nogales and Mr. Leonardo Jogno. Present also that day was Ms. Mae Kristine C. Ogayre, the designated Inspection Committee on Laboratory Supply.

The newly acquired equipment installed by the supplier, and inspected by IAS, SPMO and Inspection Committee. (Photos by AS Mausig)

These will serve as a cornerstone for cutting-edge agricultural studies and experiments, furthering the college’s commitment to agricultural innovation and excellence. This enhancement of facilities is expected to provide students and faculty with the necessary tools to drive forward the frontiers of agricultural science.

As stipulated in the proposal, the target beneficiaries of the project are members of Farmers’ Associations and Cooperatives and individual farmers in Marinduque, Agricultural Extension Workers from Agriculture Offices in Marinduque, faculty members, staff, and students of Marinduque State College.

Additionally, the facility is expected to cater laboratory services for pest identification and plant disease diagnosis, and venue of trainings on science laboratory operations and pest management.

With this, the MSC academic community extends warmest appreciation and gratitude to Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.-DA Secretary and ACEF Executive Committee Chair and Dr. Junel B. Soriano, DA-BAR Director, for the usual support to the college through the years.

(MJ Malapitan/D. Sto.Domingo)

Photos by AS Mausig