Batanes State College (BSC), together with the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Batanes, held an inception meeting yesterday, August 19, 2025, at the BSC Conference Hall, to align objectives for new research and development projects.

In his welcome remarks, BSC College President Dr. Djovi R. Durante, represented by Director for Administrative and Finance Services Romina Katrina B. Bernardo, underscored the meeting’s significance as a platform to foster stronger partnerships and ensure compliance with all operational and budgetary requirements.

The mayors of Mahatao and Uyugan expressed strong support for the initiatives. Hon. Geronimo Carba of Mahatao praised the projects for making the future of local agriculture “resilient, locally driven, and science-based.” He expressed hope that these projects would not only benefit their municipality but serve as a model for the entire province.

Similarly, Hon. James Richard Cabugao of Uyugan lauded the projects, emphasizing their potential to address multiple challenges. These initiatives, he noted, could provide an alternative water source and create nutritional supplements for livestock.

Following the messages from the local chief executives, Dr. Synan S. Baguio of PCAARRD’s Livestock Research Division (LRD) affirmed PCAARRD’s commitment to the research activities.

After Ms. Josette San Luis (DOST-GIA) presented the project guidelines, the project leaders delivered their reports. Project Leader Mr. Warlito Tomas Jr. presented on “Developing Feed Formulations for ‘Bagu Ivatan’ using Locally-Available Feeds and Forages in Batanes.” Project Leader Mr. Romel Raterta provided a pre-terminal report on the “Establishment of Batanes Native Pig Breeding Herd.”

PSTO Batanes Provincial Director Nora T. Garcia also presented the “Optimized Utilization of Brine as a Nutritional Supplement for Cattle in Batan Island, Batanes” project. Ms. Christina Lapitan followed with the DOST-PCAARRD accounting guidelines.

The meeting concluded with a closing remark delivered by a representative of PD Garcia. Following the formal inception meeting, the teams from DOST-PCAARRD and BSC conducted a field visit to the native pig breeding project site in Mahatao to assess its progress.