𝐉𝐇𝐂𝐒𝐂 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐂’𝐬 𝟑𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 & 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦

The Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) convened its Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights, alongside its 2nd General Assembly and 38th Anniversary celebration, on November 21, 2025, at the J.H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC) HRM Hostel. Hosted by JHCSC under the leadership of President Dr. Edgardo H. Rosales, the event brought together stakeholders from across Western Mindanao to foster collaboration in science, innovation, and the dissemination of technology. This year’s observance carried the theme “Celebrating 38 Years of Bridging Science and Communities: Empowering Western Mindanao through AANR Research and Innovation.”

The assembly was presided over by the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Committee (RRDCC) Chair, Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, with WESMAARRDEC Consortium Director Dr. Leonilo B. Abella providing direction for the consortium’s ongoing and future programs. Also present were key officials who helped lead the discussions, including Dr. Teresita A. Narvaez, former Consortium Director and current WMSU Vice President for Resource Generation, Dr. Synan S. Baguio, DOST–PCAARRD Livestock Research Division Director, and Marita A. Carlos, PCAARRD Applied Communication Division Director. Their presence reinforced the consortium’s strong linkages with national-level research and development bodies.

Representatives and research directors from various academic institutions participated in the meeting. These included JHCSC, represented by Dumingag Campus Director Dr. Moises Glenn G. Tangalin and Research Director, Prof. Ruel S. Lasagas; Western Mindanao State University (WMSU); Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST); Basilan State College (BaSC); Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) Dapitan and Dipolog campuses; and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University. Delegates from these institutions presented updates on their R&D initiatives and strengthened commitments to joint programs within the consortium.

Among the key agenda items discussed was the selection of WESMAARRDEC’s host agency for the 2026–2035 term, alongside a proposal to reduce the host-agency tenure from ten years to six. Meanwhile, consortium directors presented the WESMAARRDEC Schedule of Activities, the upcoming CMIS AIHR, the Farmers and Fisherfolk Forum, and the series of planned field days aimed at extending technologies to grassroots communities. An update on the submission of agency annual reports and guidelines on RSRDH hosting and eligibility for paper submission also formed part of the deliberations.

The assembly highlighted the introduction of SciComusthan: Kwentong TechTrans sa SciComunidad ng Mindanao, a communication initiative designed as a telecommunication talk show to feature technologies from the various Mindanao consortia. The program will showcase innovations and success stories from NOMCAARRD, SMAARRDEC, SOXAARRDEC, WESMAARRDEC, and CCAARRD, creating a shared platform for disseminating research breakthroughs and strengthening the public’s understanding of science-based technologies. Organizers emphasized that SciComusthan aims to bridge gaps between research institutions and the communities they serve.

Further discussions focused on R&D and Technology Transfer Project Proposal Packaging, the region’s participation in the 6th RDE Management Congress in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, and updates on the CMIS membership fees. These sessions underscored the consortium’s intention to elevate Western Mindanao’s visibility in the international research arena while ensuring that local initiatives remain aligned with national and global development goals.

In the second part of the program, participating institutions presented their ongoing and completed research studies. Each presentation detailed the rationale behind the projects, the issues they aimed to address, and the motivations that drove their implementation. These discussions provided a platform for knowledge exchange and potential collaborative projects among consortium member agencies, reinforcing WESMAARRDEC’s mission of harmonized research initiatives across the region.

The day concluded with a commemorative celebration of WESMAARRDEC’s 38th anniversary, honoring nearly four decades of advancing science-driven development in Western Mindanao. Consortium leaders recognized the collective achievements of member institutions and reaffirmed their commitment to championing research, innovation, and community empowerment.

In sum, WESMAARRDEC officials emphasized that the consortium’s continued progress depends on strong partnerships, a steadfast commitment to research excellence, and a shared goal of ensuring that science-driven innovations directly benefit farmers, fisherfolk, and communities across Western Mindanao. As the consortium moves into its 39th year, it reaffirms its mission to bridge science and society—advancing research, strengthening collaboration, and driving transformative development throughout the region.