Bringing together four major research and development consortia in Region I, the Region I Health Research and Development Consortium R1HRDC successfully organized the 3rd Joint Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Symposium from November 26 to 28, 2025, at the Center for Flexible Learning, Mariano Marcos State University CFL MMSU in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
With the theme “Pioneering Smart, Sustainable, and Innovation-Inclusive Next-Generation Technologies for Health, Industry, Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources,” the symposium served as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the presentation of research outputs among researchers, professionals, and institutions across Region I.
The joint symposium brought together the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium ILAARRDEC, the Region 1 Health Research Development R1HRDC, the Ilocos Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development ICIEERD, and the Sustainability, Innovation, Leadership, Linkages, Access, and Growth SILLAG Consortium.
The opening program featured messages of support from Dr. Maria Lourdes Otayza, Project Leader of R1HRDC, and Dir. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, DOST PCHRD. The symposium was formally opened in the presence of MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., represented by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog; DOST Region I Director Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog; and Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, represented by Provincial Board Member Medel Gaoat, along with other key officials from government and private institutions.
A keynote message was delivered via recorded video by Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education CHED, while Dr. Napoleon Juanillo, Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communication, and Commercialization of DOST, served as guest speaker.
On the first day, R1HRDC funded research papers were presented, highlighting health-related innovations in the region. Dr. Joy Alvarez, Project Leader from Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center MMMH&MC, presented “Implementation of a Hearing Screening Protocol for School Aged Children Enrolled in Special Education in Selected Public Schools in Ilocos Norte.” Meanwhile, Ms. Jessica Assuncion, Co-Project Leader from MMSU, presented “Tissue Repair Progression in Liver and Stomach of Alcohol-Fed Male ICR Mice Using Freeze-Dried Pomacea canaliculata Slime and Bovine Milk.”
Participants also engaged in plenary sessions, beginning with Ethics in Research, delivered by Mr. Ryan Dean Sucgang, Chair of the Regional Ethics Monitoring Board I Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy (REMB I-CIDTA), emphasizing the importance of ethical standards in research practice. Other plenary sessions included “Driving Transformative Change: Turning Science into Action for Food Security and Nutrition” by Dr. Glenn Gregorio; “GATES: Connecting Data, Empowering Decisions, Supporting Industries” by Ms. Ashemir Velasco; and “Advancing Innovation in Region I: How University-Based Incubators Propel SILLAG Regional Initiatives” by Prof. Armie Sabugo of MMSU.
The first day concluded with a Fellowship Night themed “Brilliance Unplugged: A Relaxed Night with Remarkable Minds,” aimed at strengthening camaraderie among participants. The program opened with an invocation led by the Northwestern University–Saguday Chorale, followed by a message from R1HRDC Chairman Mr. Leo Solis. Cultural performances were showcased, and participants from different consortia joined the “Talent Sparks: Share Your Shine” friendly competition. Outstanding performances were recognized with awards for Best Talent, Best Filipiniana Attire, and Best Barong Tagalog Attire, celebrating Filipino creativity and culture.
On the second day, the four consortia conducted parallel breakout sessions, featuring paper competitions, oral and poster research presentations, reverse pitching competitions, and undergraduate thesis presentations, providing opportunities for both professional and student researchers to showcase their work.
The symposium concluded with a turnover ceremony, formally designating the SILLAG Consortium as the next host of the Joint Regional RDI Symposium, followed by an awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding research presentations and achievements across the participating consortia.
Organized by R1HRDC, the 3rd Joint Regional RDI Symposium was attended by over 300 professional and student researchers from higher education institutions, government agencies, private organizations, hospitals, non-government organizations, and local government units across Region I. The activity strengthened inter-consortium collaboration and underscored the importance of collective efforts in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven technologies responsive to regional development needs.
