Western Visayas spotlights agri-aqua research for commercialization

ILOILO CITY — Researchers, innovators, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, government agencies, and technology advocates gathered at SM City Iloilo for the Western Visayas Agri-Aqua Innovation and Venture Summit 2026, a regional platform showcasing research-based technologies with commercialization potential.

The University of the Philippines Visayas and the RAISE Program Western Visayas organized and sponsored the summit in collaboration with SM City Iloilo.

The summit carried the theme, “Ani, Alon, at Likas Yaman: Advancing Western Visayas Industries through R&D and Innovation.”

The event aimed to strengthen partnerships among academia, industry, and government while accelerating the commercialization of research and innovation across Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region.

The summit featured technology pitching sessions, poster and booth exhibits, industry and investor networking, and technology-matching activities.

These activities gave participants opportunities to explore technologies for licensing, adoption, investment, and collaborative development.

Capiz State University President Efren L. Linan formally opened the program through a message delivered by French A. Dampog, director of the university’s Intellectual Property Management Office.

University of the Philippines Visayas Chancellor Clement C. Camposano gave a welcome message delivered by Reynold D. Tan, acting vice chancellor for planning and development and director of the UPV Technology Transfer and Business Development Office.

Mark Glenn Villamor, project leader of the RAISE Western Visayas Regional Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator, delivered the closing remarks.

The summit also featured keynote addresses from Department of Science and Technology Region VI Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga and Healthy Bite Food Processing owner Reynro T. Herrera.

Gelonga and Herrera shared insights on innovation-driven regional development, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.

A panel discussion brought together Noel Catibog of the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Division; Gelonga; Monalyn L. Oloroso of the Machinery and Agricultural Technology Engineering Center; Tan; and Fulbert C. Woo, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Visayas.

The discussion focused on strengthening innovation ecosystems, collaboration among industry, academia, and government, and strategies to accelerate technology transfer and commercialization.

Research innovations were evaluated by panels of judges from the government, industry, business, and technology sectors.

The Technology Poster Exhibit was assessed by Florenda Octoberiana C. Abian of the Department of Trade and Industry Iloilo, Iloilo Business Club Inc. President Ma. Luisa C. Segovia, and Midway Fresh Market and Restaurant proprietor Ricardo Palmares III, PFT.

The Technology Pitching Competition and Booth Exhibits were evaluated by Catibog, Rex Marlo Varona, Woo, Flerida A. Demamay, and Jessraf Palmares.

The judges brought expertise in technology transfer, agriculture, business, innovation, and information technology to the evaluation of participating technologies.

Industry partners and stakeholders at the event included the Leonking Organic Farmers Producers Cooperative and entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs from the Migrants Coordinating Group–Western Visayas.

Representatives also came from the Dumangas OFW Federation, Federation of OFWs–Banate, Federation of OFW Family Circle Sibalom Inc., Millan OFW Association, OFW Negros Occidental Federation Inc. and its chapters in Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Pontevedra, Roma Chapter OFWs and Families Association, San Joaquin Federation OFW, and Victorias City OFW Federation.

Government and business support organizations also participated, including Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Offices from municipalities and the province of Iloilo, as well as representatives from the Office of the Vice Governor of Iloilo.

Their participation underscored efforts to connect regional innovation initiatives with enterprise development and local economic programs.

The RAISE Program, or Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement Program, is a Department of Science and Technology initiative that seeks to strengthen technology transfer, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors.

The program supports regional intellectual property and technology business management, agri-aqua technology business incubation, knowledge management, and agribusiness development.

DOST-PCAARRD reported in 2025 that the RAISE Program had mentored 407 incubatees, supported the incubation of 115 technologies, and helped commercialize 56 technologies nationwide.

The agency also reported 25 operational agri-aqua technology business incubators that had generated PHP 122 million in incubatee revenue, trained 11,509 participants, and created 1,711 jobs.

By bringing together innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry partners, the Western Visayas Agri-Aqua Innovation and Venture Summit 2026 sought to help transform research outputs into market-ready technologies, foster strategic partnerships, and support sustainable economic growth through science, technology, and innovation. (Ferelyn F. Oliva/RAISE Program Western Visayas assistant program leader)