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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

CLSU, DOST-PCAARRD Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Tilapia Breeding Facility

Aug. 17, 2026

stratcom | SCO

Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through its Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC), holds a groundbreaking ceremony for a 20-million-peso Tilapia Breeding Nucleus Facility funded by the Department of Science and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) today, August 17, at the FAC Grounds. CLSU President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, along with DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, and Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, led the ceremonial groundbreaking. They were joined by Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena, Director of the Institutional Development Division of DOST-PCAARRD; Dr. Cynthia V. Almazan, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST-PCAARRD; Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension; Dr. Karl Marx Quiazon, Director of FAC, and other guests. During the program, President Abella emphasized the importance of the new facility for advancing agricultural research and enhancing regional food security. “Today, we are marking the beginning of another important milestone in strengthening the university's contribution to research, innovation, and the development of technologies in the field of aquaculture that can make a difference in the lives of our fisherfolks and partner communities. It should impact the major stakeholders—not merely for publication or generation of technology that will be shelved in the laboratory, but providing an impact in terms of economic standing and the standard of living for our families." Additionally, as part of the project, Dr. Jonathan V. Fabula, Director of the Precision and Digital Agriculture Center, launched and showcased in a technology demonstration the project dubbed “Infusing Smart Farming Technologies in CLSU Tilapia Breeding Nucleus towards Precision and Digital Aquaculture (ISDA),”which features three technologies: Predicount, an AI-assisted Fish Fry Counter; Aquaafeedr, an Autonomous Precision Feeding System; and Predirover, an Autonomous Fry Collection & Harvesting USV. These facility upgrades stand as a clear testament to CLSU’s commitment to improving food sustainability and sufficiency through R&D in the aquatic industry.

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CLSU Kickstarts SIBOL 2026 to Empower Student Incubatees

Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through the Agriculture and Food Technology Business Incubator (AFTBI) formally commenced the SIBOL 2026: Nurturing Ideas, Growing Innovations, Creating Impact: Empowering Student Incubatees to Build Sustainable and Innovative Ventures, today, September 14, through a Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing, marking a significant step toward strengthening student innovation and entrepreneurship within the University. Organized in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), the program equips student incubatees with startup mentorship, financial modeling, intellectual property guidance, and technical evaluation. The ceremonial signing was led by University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, with Dr. Celyrah B. Castillo, Dean of the College of Home Science and Industry (CHSI); Dr. Pablo J. Rafael, Jr., CHED CLSU-SIBOL Project Leader; Dr. Dana G. Vera Cruz, CHED CLSU-SIBOL Project Staff; Dr. Joel G. Juvinal, Assoc. Prof. Geraldine G. Tayag, and Asst. Prof. Jennylyne L. Joaquin, CHED CLSU-SIBOL Mentors and Resource Speakers; Dr. Jessica M. Rustia and Instructor Kim Aron Velasco, CHED CLSU-SIBOL Mentors; and Assoc. Prof. Celeste D. Dela Cruz, Head of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management (DTHM), together with the thirteen student incubatees and their parents and guardians. In his message, President Abella encouraged the student incubatees to make the most of the experience. “Your ideas may still be at their beginning stages, but with proper guidance and your willingness to learn, these ideas can grow into innovations that will definitely create impact in our community,” he stated. Following the ceremonial signing, the 13 student incubatees from the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) and Bachelor of Science in Food Technology (BSFT) began a three-day training workshop featuring a series of learning sessions designed to strengthen their competencies and equip them for the further development and commercialization of their innovative ideas. Through this collaboration, CLSU, CHED, and DOST-PCAARRD continue to empower the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to identify opportunities, address challenges, and develop solutions responsive to the needs of communities and industries.

Sep. 14, 2026

CLSU Reaps 2 Awards for Sustainable Tourism at 2026 CL Star Awards

Central Luzon State University (CLSU) earned two recognitions during the 2026 Central Luzon Star Awards held on September 10, 2026, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. CLSU was recognized as the winner for Sustainable Tourism Education Leadership under the State Universities and Colleges Category, affirming the university’s commitment to promoting quality and sustainable tourism education and its continued contribution to the development of the tourism industry. Moreover, CLSU was also declared the Overall Destination Stewardship Champion, highlighting its continued commitment to responsible tourism and destination stewardship. The awards were received by Dr. Celyrah B. Castillo, Dean of the College of Home Science and Industry (CHSI), and Assoc. Prof. Celeste D. Dela Cruz, Chair of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (DHTM), together with other faculty members from the CHSI – DHTM, who represented the university during the ceremony. These recognitions reflect the dedication of CLSU to excellence in tourism education and its efforts to contribute to the advancement of sustainable tourism in Central Luzon and beyond. #SievingForExcellence

Sep. 11, 2026

CLSU Graduate Programs Eye Approval for Level IV Accreditation

The graduate programs under the Institute of Graduate Studies (IGS) underwent a comprehensive three-day Level IV, 2nd Cycle accreditation survey visit conducted by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) from September 2 to 4, 2026. The rigorous evaluation covered eight advanced degree programs: Master in Agribusiness, Master of Science in Agricultural Economics, Master of Science in Crop Protection, Master of Science in Animal Science, Master of Science in Crop Science, Master of Science in Soil Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Science. During the closing program, Dr. Edgardo P. Lillo delivered the overall impression on behalf of the accrediting team, commending the college for sustaining high standards while maintaining the unique identity of each academic program. Dr. Lillo further highlighted key strengths including high-quality international research publications, strong alumni employability, active community engagement, highly qualified faculty roster, growing portfolio of patents and copyrights, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust local and international partnerships. In response, University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, represented by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, delivered the Pledge of Commitment, expressing deep gratitude to the AACCUP accreditors and the internal task force for their thorough evaluation. “We shall listen, learn, evaluate, innovate, and improve. As the CLSU community, we pledge to commit to quality, to lead with integrity and excellence, to serve with purpose and compassion, and to continuously pursue an unending journey of excellence,”

Sep. 04, 2026

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