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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

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CLSU, DA Inaugurate Center for Precision and Digital Agriculture

May. 06, 2022

Stratcom | SCO

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through the leadership of President Edgar A. Orden and Dr. Armando N. Espino Jr, Vice President for Research and Extension, inaugurated today the Precision and Digital Agriculture Center (PreDiCt).   The Center, funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), was established to harness the different smart-farming technologies developed by the CLSU researchers. President Orden, in his welcome remarks, recognized the support of the DA in the establishment of PreDiCt which provides CLSU another avenue to further its leadership in the field of agricultural technology. “CLSU has been put in the forefront in contributing to a better and more sustainable future under the Sustainable Development Goals 2, Zero Hunger as our goal is towards food sufficiency. I am proud to say that our university stays true to its commitment of generating new technologies to help the lives of the community,” said President Orden. Dr. William D. Dar, DA Secretary along with other DA officials from the different attached agencies/ bureaus graced the event.  In his keynote speech, Secretary Dar thanked and congratulated the leadership of CLSU for accepting, responding, and delivering the PreDiCt project to its current state today. “I am happy because whenever CLSU is given with responsibility to implement programs like this, they always deliver,” said Secretary Dar. In addition, Dr. Dar challenged CLSU as a leader in the Science City Community, to facilitate the synergies between and among the R&D agencies in agriculture, and for CLSU to make use of its resources such as utilizing PreDiCt as the central repository of all the technologies being generated that are related to smart agriculture. “We are partnering with higher education institutions like CLSU not only to achieve excellence but also to stay relevant and provide impact in the community with innovations and technologies, and eventually raise the agriculture productivity of the whole country,” Secretary Dar added. During the program, Dr. Espino also presented the different DA-funded programs and projects implemented at CLSU from 2018-present with a total grant amounting to 436 million pesos. As project proponent of PreDiCt, Dr. Espino emphasized the role of the Center in addressing the problem of the growing population, and limited land and water supply through precision and digital agriculture which promises more productive and more efficient use of time and resources.  The event was culminated with a field demonstration and facility tour at the PreDiCt greenhouse featuring the vertical tower garden and Dutch bucket hydroponics system with automated irrigation.

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CLSU Mushroom Center Spawns 35 Years of Excellence

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through the Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development (CTMRD), kicked off the 4-day celebration of its 35th Founding Anniversary with the theme “Honoring 35 Years of Pioneering Excellence: Cultivating Legacy, Advancing Innovations, and Sustaining Service for Generations” on July 20, 2026, at the RIE Amphitheater. Prominent individuals in the mushroom industry delivered an inspirational message, including Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Director and Board of Regents member, Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, CTMRD founder and Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) President, Dr. Renato G. Reyes, and Science City of Muñoz City Agriculturist Mr. Lionel Parugrug, representing Hon. Baby Armi L. Alvarez. They reminded the audience of this milestone's significance and honored the achievements of those who have contributed to the growth of both the mushroom initiative and the CTMRD. Meanwhile, Mr. Carl Vincent D. Gapasin, a CLSU alumnus and the current Program Head Coordinator of the Department of Agriculture's National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program, highlighted the center's critical role in agricultural development. “This is precisely why institutions like CTMRD are indispensable; you serve as a bridge between scientific discovery and practical application," Gapasin stated. "Every technology developed creates new opportunities for agencies like the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Department of Agriculture to bring these innovations closer to our communities,” he added. Furthermore, one of the highlights of the event was the launching of Mush. PH: Mushroom Philippines Innovation Network and the oath-taking of its elected officials, and the book launching of CTMRD’s Mykollet: A compendium of Tropical Mushrooms of the Philippines. Among those in attendance were representatives from ASCOT, Bulacan State University, Visayas State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Golden State College, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Pangasinan State University, Adamson University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, and the Muñoz Local Government Unit.

Jul. 21, 2026

CLSU, LGU Muñoz Advance Proposed S&T Park Development Through Strategic Engagements with PEZA and PPP Center

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs (OVPBA), continues to strengthen the development of the proposed CLSU Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Park through strategic engagements with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines. On July 7, CLSU met with officials from the PPP Center including Assistant Secretary and PPP Center Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Eleazar E. Ricote and the Local Capacity Building Division Assistant Chief, Mr. Ysrael Camacho to explore Public-Private Partnership opportunities that could support the University's infrastructure and innovation priorities. The discussions highlighted the PPP Center's technical and advisory services, as well as potential partnership models that can help accelerate the realization of the KIST Park and other strategic development initiatives. Building on this initiative, Dr. Karenina B. Romualdo, Vice President for Business Affairs and Chair of the Special Economic Zone Act (SEZA), CLSU KIST Park and PPP Committee, joined the delegation from the Science City of Muñoz led by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO), headed by Engr. Jose A. Ruiz, Jr., in a high-level consultation with PEZA on July 16, to discuss the proposed registration of specialized economic zones in the city. The PEZA officials were led by Ecozone Development Department Manager, Mr. Ludwig O. Daza and Project Development Officer, Ms. Kyle Paula N. Espinoza, who discussed the establishment of PEZA-registered economic zones that will boost investments and strengthen the city's competitiveness. During the consultation, the Science City of Muñoz presented its investment profile and proposed economic zones for the agro-industrial, commercial, and information technology sectors. CLSU, meanwhile, presented its vision for innovation- and research-driven economic zones that will promote technology commercialization, industry collaboration, and investments in pharmaceutical manufacturing and research. Both meetings marked the culmination of a series of consultations and technical discussions between CLSU and the Science City of Muñoz to align development strategies, identify priority investment areas, and refine the proposed ecozone for PEZA registration. These engagements demonstrate CLSU's commitment to transforming research and innovation into drivers of economic growth through strategic partnerships, sustainable investments, and industry collaboration. The University remains dedicated to working closely with government agencies and local stakeholders in advancing the KIST Park as a catalyst for science, technology, innovation, and inclusive regional development in Central Luzon. #SievingForExcellence

Jul. 20, 2026

CLSU Spearheads Tree-Planting Activity of CLAARRDEC to Kick-off its Golden Anniversary

Early this morning, July 3, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), serving as the base agency of the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC), spearheaded a tree-planting activity to officially kick off the Consortium’s pre-celebration of its 50th Founding Anniversary. Held in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, the activity was graced by Hon. Ricardo Manucdoc, Vice Mayor of Carranglan, who joined and led the volunteers in planting more than a thousand robusta coffee seedlings. In his message, Vice Mayor Manucdoc shared that the municipality has been conducting similar initiatives since 2022 as part of its efforts to rehabilitate mountain areas devastated by forest fires. “Nagpapasalamat kami dahil ang CLSU ay laging tumutugon sa ating mga pangangailangan at adbokasiya,” said Vice Mayor Manucdoc. “Kami po ay aasahan ninyong maging kapartner sa mga ganitong adhikain,” he added, reaffirming the municipality’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable partnerships. Around 50 participants from CLSU and CLAARRDEC took part in the activity, led by Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, University President and Chair of the CLAARRDEC Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council, together with Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension and Consortium Director; Mr. Neal A. Del Rosario, Director of the Small Ruminant Center and Consortium Deputy Director; and Assoc. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy, Presidential Assistant for Strategic Communication and Regional Science Communication Cluster Coordinator. In his message, President Abella expressed his gratitude to the LGU of Carranglan for warmly welcoming CLSU and CLAARRDEC, emphasizing that the activity gave greater significance to the Consortium’s golden anniversary celebration. “Natutuwa po kami sa patuloy ninyong pagbahagi sa aming gawain. We continue to be partners for development,” he stressed. Anchored on the theme, “CLAARRDEC at 50: Connecting Science, Society, and Sustainability,” the tree-planting initiative symbolizes the Consortium’s enduring commitment to advancing sustainable development in agriculture, fisheries, environment, and natural resources. The planting of more than five hundred robusta coffee seedlings reflects CLAARRDEC’s continuing efforts to promote environmental conservation while strengthening partnerships with local communities. The activity was further supported by various civic organizations and vloggers/influencers and was made possible through the assistance of the CLSU Center for Climate Change and Environmental Management. In solidarity with the celebration, other CLAARRDEC member institutions will likewise conduct a tree-planting activity in their respective areas, demonstrating the Consortium’s shared commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation as it marks five decades of service to the region.

Jul. 03, 2026

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