The Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Abaca Technology Innovation Center (ATIC), in collaboration with the Research and Development Services (R&DS), organized a stakeholders' consultative forum and planning workshop for Calendar Year 2024, with the theme 'Sustainable RD & E Activities and Technologies for a Resilient Future of the Abaca Industry' held on December 11, 2023, at the E-Crown Hotel and Resort in San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes.CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza graced the event, along with Governor Joseph C. Cua represented by Provincial Agriculturist Ace William R. Tria, Department of Science and Technology-Provincial Science and Technology (DOST-PSTO) Director Engr. Marie Grace T. Molina, PhilFIDA Provincial Fiber Officer Roberto B. Lusuegro, Career Scientist I and RD Leader Dr. Leny C. Galvez, and other key officials. Displayed inside the venue were abaca-inspired artworks and abaca-based research outputs.
The CatSU Abaca Technology and Innovation Center (ATIC), under the leadership of its Director, Prof. Abelisa D. Evangelista, conducted a seminar cum-writeshop on the application of Collective Mark of Abaca Fiber in the university accreditation room on March 22, 2023, to increase support for the province's abaca industry.The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Provincial Local Government of Catanduanes, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) collaborated to organize the workshop.The event served as an information drive and a writeshop for the stakeholders of the abaca industry in Catanduanes, particularly the members of Catanduanes Abaca Industry Development Council (CAIDC), where CatSU is an active member.Prof. Evangelista stressed that the Origin-Based Branding of Catanduanes Goods and Services was critical in strengthening the support to the province's abaca industry."We are here to encourage and enhance the competitiveness of our abaca farmers, traders, processors, government and non-government agencies, researchers, the academe, and other stakeholders," Prof. Evangelista said.The workshop began with an introduction to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines by Mr. Rolan O. Leaño. Succeeding topics included the Importance and Benefits of Protecting Geographical Indications and Collective marks, and Developing a Geographical Indication & Collective Mark: Next Steps, presented by Atty. Joan Janneth M. Estremadura and Ms. Danica M. Muyargas, respectively, of the Bureau of Trademarks.The Director hopes that this significant progress will attract more investors to provide more employment opportunities and sustain the demand and productivity of the province's abaca industry. The workshop also covered salient features of Geographical Indications and Regulations.A day prior to this event, the group visited an abaca farm in San Roque, Bato, to observe the unique farming management and practices of abaca in the island, in relation to the application of the Collective Mark of Abaca Fiber. IPOPHL Consultant Engr. Nino Angelo Torre facilitated the initiatives of the CatSU-ATIC, led by CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, through the Catanduanes Abaca Industry Development Council (CAIDC) headed by Gov. Joseph C. Cua.The preliminary activities of the farm visit were supported by CatSU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs (REPA), Dr. Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento, Assistant Vice President REPA, Dr. Kristian Q. Aldea, and CatSU-ATIC Faculty-in-Charge Engr. Jhomann U. Socito. #CVecilles
The CatSU Abaca Technology and Innovation Center (ATIC) conducted its 2022 Stakeholders’ Forum in collaboration with the PhilFIDA-Catanduanes and DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Catanduanes at the CatSU Auditorium. The forum focused on the lecture-demonstration of the CatSU ATIC research developments and current progress of the center and aims to provide information dissemination on the importance of sustaining the abaca industry in the province, as well as the need of technology and innovation application in support to the province’ recognition as the abaca capital of the Philippines (Republic Act 11700). The forum included a showcase of the comprehensive profile of CatSU ATIC via an Audio-video presentation, along with the university Techno Hubs, and the various programs, activities and projects of both the PhilFIDA-Catanduanes and DOST PSTC Catanduanes. Representatives of the participating agencies also joined the Lightning Talks with an open forum thereafter. Workshop on the needs assessment of abaca farmers and the abaca industry, with presentation of outputs that was participated in by traders, farmers, Local government units, and STUDENTS was conducted, which was immediately followed by a consultative meeting. Furthermore, the forum serves as a preliminary meeting for the proposed Abaca Summit to be held in May 2023 on the occasion of Abaca Festival. #CVecilles
