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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Agriculture Secretary Leads Launch of Animal Vaccine Dev’t Program at CenTrAD

Apr. 09, 2025

StratCom | SCO

Department of Agriculture - Philippines (DA) Secretary Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel led the inauguration of the Animal Vaccine Development Program on April 8, 2025, at the Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD) located at Central Luzon State University (CLSU). The inauguration formed part of the University’s 118th Founding Anniversary celebration, which commenced with a ribbon cutting and was followed by a facility tour led by CenTrAD Director Dr. Virginia M. Venturina to showcase the facility and the laboratories dedicated to vaccine development. During the program proper, University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella reaffirmed CLSU’s strong commitment to advancing agriculture and animal health, emphasizing its unwavering support and shared dedication to serving its stakeholders. “In response to these pressing needs, we at CLSU, in partnership with our key stakeholders, affirm our commitment to advancing research and innovation in Veterinary Science through the establishment of a Vaccine Development Facility,” President Abella expressed. Meanwhile, in his keynote address, Secretary Laurel emphasized the importance of the National Animal Vaccination Program and its unwavering commitment to progress, resilience, and hope that protect the livestock and poultry, especially the people. He further advocated for honoring the strength of farmers by providing them with protection against economic challenges and disease outbreaks. Dr. Constante J. Palabrica, Undersecretary of DA Livestock, on the other hand, shared how he came to the idea of putting up an Animal Vaccine Development Program as it sparked when he first came to CenTrAD. His observations of vaccine production in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand fueled his belief in the capability of Filipino Scientists to produce vaccines, reducing reliance on imports. As such, the said program intends to enhance disease prevention strategies and promote sustainable livestock production through innovative research and development. CLSU, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, particularly the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center, and DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), played a key role in bringing the program to fruition. Other key people who graced the event were Dr. Claro N. Mingala, Director of DA National Livestock Program, Dr. Liza G. Battad, DA-PCC Executive Director, Mr. Joseph Rudolph Lo, President of Food Terminal Inc., Dr. Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jr., DA Region III Director and faculty and staff from the College of Veterinary Science and Medicine.

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CLSU Continually Demonstrates Commitment to Quality Education through Accreditation

With CLSU’s continuous pursuit of excellence, six of its academic programs underwent accreditation evaluation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) from October 20 to 22, 2025. The following programs - BS Development Communication, BS Statistics, and MS Biology aimed for level IV accreditation. At the same time, the BS Psychology, BS Hospitality Management, and PhD Aquaculture, were evaluated for Level III status. Dr. Elsie M. Pacho, the Coordinator for Level IV Accreditation, lauded CLSU’s performance where she stated that as a state institution, the University’s role in shaping the region's intellectual and socioeconomic landscape is evident and commendable. "Your programs demonstrated a robust academic foundation complemented by innovative teaching methods and a sustained culture of research, community engagements, as well as international networking and linkages,” she stressed. On the other hand, Dr. Ronald M. Ramirez, represented by Dr. Eva Marie C. Avila, assured the task force that as external partners of the university, they are also committed to fostering excellence for the university to achieve its goal. “We will make a very objective assessment and make recommendations for the benefit of your programs, your colleagues, and your institution. To achieve world-class service and excellence,” Dr. Avila said. University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella acknowledged the value of the external review, stating, "With your guidance from an outside perspective, we now know our strength and the areas that we need to improve." He also affirmed the institution's unwavering commitment to implementing the recommendations where he expressed the University’s commitment to abide by the observations of accreditors, uphold quality and integrity in the curricular offerings, strengthen systems, and maintain the standards that define CLSU. CLSU's proactive engagement with the AACCUP process underscores its dedication to maintaining high standards and evolving into a globally competitive educational institution. #SievingForExcellence

Oct. 24, 2025

CLSU, CLAARRDEC Lead Nat’l Tilapia FIESTA

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), as the seat of the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC), successfully led and hosted the National Cluster Tilapia Farms and Industry Encounters through S&T Agenda (FIESTA) from October 21-23, 2025, at San Fernando City, Pampanga. The Tilapia FIESTA unfolded under the theme “From Pond to Plate: Celebrating a Sustainable Tilapia Industry,” which highlighted the collaborative efforts of scientists, researchers, farmers, aquapreneurs, and stakeholders in sustaining and strengthening the country’s tilapia sector. The keynote speaker, Mr. Florendo ‘Jon’ G. Juico, Jr., PhilTilapia National President, shared that the theme beautifully captured the heart of what they do as tilapia growers. “It reminds us that sustainability is not a one-time act but a way of life – it begins in the pond in the hands of our hardworking farmers, and it ends on the plate where families share the fruits of our labor,” he said. Tilapia FIESTA serves as a convergence of great minds, institutions, and partners with one shared goal — to strengthen and sustain the tilapia industry in the Philippines. According to Assoc. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy, Tilapia FIESTA project leader and CLAARRDEC Science Communication Cluster Coordinator, “Tilapia FIESTA is more than just a showcase of technologies. It’s a celebration of collaboration and community. Each innovation presented here represents the hard work of our researchers and the resilience of our fisherfolk who bring tilapia from ponds to every Filipino plate.” CLSU President and CLAARRDEC RRDCC Chair Dr. Evaristo A. Abella highlighted that the event reinforces the united efforts to build a more competitive and inclusive aquaculture industry. “This historic gathering solidifies the collaboration of seven regional consortia creating a venue for researchers, aquaculture practitioners, fisherfolk, government agencies, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders who share a common goal to strengthen and sustain the tilapia industry in our country,” he said. Bringing together farmers, experts, investors, students, and industry stakeholders, the three-day celebration provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, business matching, and technology promotion, fostering partnerships that drive innovation and inclusivity in the tilapia value chain. Dr. Rafael Guerrero III, Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology and an aquaculture scientist known for his pioneering work on the development of sex reversal and hatchery techniques on tilapia, served as a plenary speaker where he shared that technologies are already there, however, to be successful in the tilapia venture, he encouraged the farmers and growers to embrace the Filipino core values – pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan, pagbibigayan, pagpupursige, at pagtitiwala. One of the event’s major highlights was the Tilapia Cook Festival, which showcased tilapia as the star ingredient in a friendly cook-off. Participants from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bohol, and Cebu proudly presented their regional delicacies, each reflecting their unique culinary flair. The festival also featured an exciting Cooking Show led by renowned chefs — Chef Jr Royol of GMA 7’s Farm to Table and Chef Hazel Anonuevo, popularly known as Hazel Cheffy, a celebrated content creator and influencer with over 3 million followers. On the final day, experts presented various tilapia technologies to the participants, showcasing innovations that advance sustainable aquaculture practices. To conclude the event, a recognition ceremony was held in honor of selected farmers and cooperatives from the seven participating regions. These awardees were acknowledged for their exemplary efforts in adopting and applying technologies developed and promoted by the different consortium member institutions, truly embodying the spirit of tilapia growers who feed the nation. Tilapia FIESTA was organized by seven regional consortia, led by CLAARRDEC with Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz as Director. Partner consortia include the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP), MIMAROPA Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (MAARRDEC), Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC), Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARDEC), Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (CVAARRD), and the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD). It was also assisted by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Region 3 and fully supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). As Tilapia FIESTA 2025 unfolded, it reaffirmed the country’s commitment to building a resilient, technology-driven, and sustainable aquaculture industry—one that connects science and society, from pond to plate. #TilapiaFIESTA #CLAARRDEC #DOSTPCAARRD

Oct. 24, 2025

CBA’s KaKaAni Ice Cream Scoops 1st Runner-Up in PCCI’s BIDA

A remarkable taste of innovation from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) has captured national attention as the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) Tropea’s KaKaAni Ice Cream, a student-led enterprise, has clinched 1st Runner-Up in the Food Category of the prestigious Business and Development Awards (BiDA), organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). Outshining hundreds of entries from across the Philippines, the KaKaAni team advanced through three rigorous stages of competition, culminating in a final judging held at the PCCI headquarters in Taguig City on September 29, 2025. The team formally received their award at the SMX Convention on October 21, 2025. This national recognition highlights the team's creativity, determination, and dedication to promoting Filipino culture and innovation through entrepreneurship. The KaKaAni team is composed of entrepreneurship students Mark Lester Quimpo, Francine Olar, Jensel Abuan, Pauline De Vera, and Jelomie Catabona, under the mentorship of Ms. Via Shane R. Santiago. More than a dessert, KaKaAni Ice Cream is a tribute to Filipino heritage—crafted with nostalgic flavors and locally sourced ingredients that embody comfort, culture, and community. Each scoop represents not only a delightful treat but also a symbol of success, tradition, and the sweet potential of homegrown innovation. The milestone reinforces CLSU’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of visionary and socially responsible Filipino entrepreneurs, equipped to bring pride and progress to their communities and the nation. #SievingForExcellence

Oct. 22, 2025

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