DOST Balik Scientist drives R&D in biocontrol solutions vs. crop pests in PH

A Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist is strengthening local R&D capacity in insect science by equipping Philippine universities to develop biological approaches for managing agricultural pests.

Hosted by the Visayas State University (VSU) and the University of Mindanao (UM), DOST Balik Scientist Dr. Terence Al L. Abaquita shared his entomology expertise to undergraduate and university researchers in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as the entomology industry in the country.

“Balik Scientist engagements demonstrate how expertise honed from advanced nations can be translated into tangible gains for Philippine agriculture, especially in boosting the nation’s food security. Dr. Abaquita’s yearlong engagement with VSU and UM has been extremely productive, especially in managing insect pests such as fruit flies, coconut scale insects, Asiatic palm weevil, and coffee berry borer. This is exactly what we need– science that is responsive, collaborative, and aimed to address local needs,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. in a statement.

During his engagement with the Uniwersytet Jagielloński in Poland, Dr. Abaquita had significant contributions to the research on fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and published in three Q1 to Q3 ranked international journals. He brought this knowledge to Biology, Pharmacy, and Medical Technology students of UM through a training on fruit fly culture maintenance. Bringing his expertise on fruit flies, Dr. Abaquita contributed to the development of the proposal on NANOSAFE with Drosophila, wherein the project team is targeting to standardize fruit fly-based nanosafety screening pipeline and open-access Philippine Nanomaterial Toxicity Database.

Dr. Abaquita has gained substantial experience in insect science over his seven years of his prolific research work across universities in Germany, Sweden, Poland, and Spain. He was tapped by the DOST-Balik Scientist Program (BSP) from October 18, 2024 to September 9, 2025. This is his second engagement as a Balik Scientist, the first one of which, being in July 2023 to January 2024.

Dr. Abaquita was also instrumental in some projects under Coconut Hybridization Program of the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), which uses the 5% allocation from the Trust Fund for the funding of R&D programs and projects on coconut hybridization, hybrid coconut seed farms, nurseries, and related activities. He mentored 17 Undergraduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (uGREAT) scholars from Entomology and Chemistry courses of VSU on the project, “Biological and Ecological Approaches for Coconut Pest Management (BEACON) of the Asiatic Palm Weevil and Spike Moth Infesting Hybrids and Parentals.” In addition, he mentored grantees for poster presentations during the 2025 Pest Management Council of the Philippines and the 2025 National Coconut R&D Congress.

Moreover, Dr. Abaquita helped in the development of the proposal to combat cocolisap or the coconut scale insect (Aspidiotus rigidus) with Dr. Justine Bennette H. Millado and Dr. Jay Darryl Ermio. The said project proposal, “Up-scaled strategic mass rearing of biological control agent, Comperiella calauanica against coconut scale insect (Aspidiotus rigidus)” was approved for funding by DOST-PCAARRD under the Coconut Hybridization Program.

Coffee is another commodity that Dr. Abaquita looked into during his yearlong Balik Scientist Program engagement. He helped in the development of the proposal of the project, “Precision management of coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) utilizing methanol-ethanol mixture and encapsulated Beauveria bassiana in a lure-and-kill strategy.” This project, which will be led by Dr. Jonathan R. Digma of Cavite State University, will explore biological control strategies to control coffee berry borer, which is a major threat to Philippine coffee production.

“We are affirming a partnership that strengthens our research capabilities and reinforces our commitment to translating science into real outcomes. We have been truly fortunate to host Dr. Abaquita here since we welcomed him to UM for his short term engagement in July 2023. While his initial lectures and mentoring had set a high bar, his return as a medium-term Balik Scientist truly solidified his impact on UM. His second engagement has allowed his expertise to take root creating a lasting legacy, especially within our research department,” said UM President Guillermo P. Torres, Jr. on his impressions of Dr. Abaquita’s engagement.

Representing VSU  President Prose Ivy G. Yepes, Dr. Jay Darryl L. Ermio of the VSU Department of Pest Management, also gave his impressions on Dr. Abaquita, “He didn’t just work behind the scenes actually, through a series of hosted talks and seminars on pest management, he provided our community with fresh perspective on global entomological challenges, bridging the gap between high-level research and local applications, particularly in insect-molecular morphology and Drosophila studies.” Dr. Ermio also highlighted Dr. Abaquita’s role in bridging expertise across UM and VSU. “He was instrumental in forging the strategic partnership between VSU and UM, a collaboration that we know will yield great results for years to come. Thus, we would also like to extend a very special thanks to the University of Mindanao for co-hosting Dr. Terrence with us. Your partnership made this engagement, though short, seamless, and far more impactful.”  (Rose Anne M. Aya, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services)