Bioethanol paper, 3 others win in regl confab The paper MMSU hydrous bioethanol I: production, characterization and testing

bagged the first place award in the best research paper category during the ILARRDECs 23rd Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights held August 15-16, 2011 at the Regional Education and Learning Center, City of San Fernando, La Union. Three MMSU papers, likewise, landed in the top 3 spots in the different categories during the symposium. The hydrous bioethanol paper authored by Dr. Shirley Agrupis, Dr. Roque Ulep, Engr. Nathaniel Mateo, Engr. Romaric Ascao, Ms. Ma. Concepcion Birginias, Ms. Magdalena Valencia, Mr. Mario Remolacio, Dr. Fiorello Abenes, Dr. Marilou Lucas, and Dr. Heraldo Layaoen bested 16 others that were presented in the research category. Placing second was another MMSU paper, Agro-morphological profile of traditional upland rices in Ilocos Norte by Ms. Menisa Antonio, Ms. Araceli Badar, For. Dionisio Jamias, Ms. Illuminada Dumaoal, Dr. Dionisio Bucao, Dr. Epifania Agustin, and Ms. Mary Anne Gorospe. Meanwhile, the paper MMSU FoodSend Program: A model for women empowerment through entrepreneurial development by Dr. Marivic Alimbuyuguen, Ms. Fausta Gao, and Ms. Bella Gervacio placed second in the development category. The undergraduate thesis entitled Bioremediation performance of mani-mani (Arachis pintoi) under greenhouse condition by Cheryll Joy Villanueva, a BS Biology graduate, with Prof. Flordeliz Estira as adviser won third place in the undergraduate thesis competition. This year, MMSUs entries to the symposium totaled to 15, 13 of which were orally presented including the two undergraduate theses while only two were presented in poster. It can be noted that MMSUs entries for paper presentation increased this year. This was because papers qualified for the regional symposium which were evaluated during the commodity reviews were mostly recommended for oral presentation.

Biogas and water treatment plant soon to operate The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) will soon be operating its own Biogas and Water Treatment Plant after construction is completed by mid October this year according to Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, R&D Director, who leads the implementation of the project. This project is part of MMSUs initiatives to attain its goal for energy self-sufficiency. The Plant, said Dr. Alibuyog, was constructed to convert animal wastes generated at the MMSU Piggery into biogas. It was composed of a 3-unit 50 m3 biogas digesters connected in series and is projected to produce a 30 m3 biogas daily. Once it is functional, the generated biogas will be used to fuel a 10 kVA generator set that will supply lighting system at the piggery project. This is also projected to power the needed aerator of the water treatment plant. Alibuyog also added that any excess of the converted biogas can be tanked and transported to the cafeteria for cooking. Aside from energy self-sufficiency, this project also seeks to solve the waste disposal problem of the piggery project which causes air pollution. Dr. Alibuyog also added that the presence of the Plant will help reduce risks of groundwater contamination and green house gasses emissions.

CHED confirms 2 MMSU research programs as regl winners The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through its National Evaluation Committee (NEC) recently confirmed two research programs of the Mariano Marcos State University as best higher education institution (HEI) research program regional winners for region 1. In a memorandum issued by Atty. Julito D. Vitriolo, CHED executive director, the two programs were among the 12 regional winners in the country unanimously endorsed by NEC. The National Integrated Research, Development and Commercialization Program of Sweet Sorghum for Food, Feed and Bioethanol by a group of researchers led by Dr. Heraldo L. Layaoen, VP for Planning, Development and External Linkages and national program leader for sweet sorghum, was named regional winner for region I. Moreover, the program Biomass charcoal and briquetting as source of bioenergy and strategy for environmental mitigation led by Dr. Stanley C. Malab, ILARRDEC Director, was 2nd runner-up. Among the regional entries, only two programs met the eligibility criteria set for best HEI research program regional winner. The other regional winner was The UPLB BEE Research Program of the University of the Philippnes,-Los Baos. Likewise, 12 other eligible entries that were not confirmed regional winners will be given PhP75,000 as research incentive. CHED, on the other hand, did not disclosed yet the prizes for the confirmed regional winners. The regional winners will be formally recognized in an awarding ceremony, the date and venue of which will still to be announced by CHED.