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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

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CLSU Secures DOST funding for PEST D-TECH project under MECO-TECO JRP

Jun. 06, 2023

Ronel Runes, & Lea Caguiat | SCO

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) secured a new project funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) through the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) under the Manila Economic and Cultural Office – Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO-TECO) Cooperation Scheme launched last May 3, 2023, in a hybrid event.   The project titled "Monitoring and Management of Major Pests and Diseases of Corn and Onion through Robotics and Drone Technology (PEST D-TECH)", will be led by Dr. Gella Patria Abella, Head of the Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management (ICCEM).   PEST D-TECH has been approved for a total budget of PHP 10,000,000.00 which will run from April 2023 to March 2025.  It is a collaborative project with Dr. Ping-Lang Yen of the National Taiwan University (NTU) to employ sophisticated equipment such as drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) and robotics (unmanned ground vehicles), equipped with powerful multispectral cameras and sensors.   The event was attended by the project leader, project staff, stakeholders from CLSU and DLSU, and project monitoring officials from DOST-PCAARRD, who gathered to discuss the project’s goals, objectives, timelines, and resources required for successful implementation. Also, it was attended by New Hope Precision Agriculture Corporation, PEST D-TECH’s licensed drone service provider, to draft the service level agreement of the two collaborating parties. The attendees from CLSU convened at the Climate Change Center (CCC), ICCEM.   The project aims to collect the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) through remote sensing and hopes to produce crop monitoring systems that will help farmers avoid income losses caused by pests and diseases. The reflected intensities of visible and near-infrared lights will be used to determine crop health and assess crop condition, and photosynthetic activities. Moreover, it will also focus on identifying and addressing pests and diseases in onion and corn crops in selected sites in Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. 

Other Stories

CenTrAD, CVSM Hold VetALERT Training to Enhance Veterinary Capacity

In an effort to build stronger veterinary capacity, the Center for Transboundary Diseases (CenTrAD) and the College of Veterinary Science and Medicine (CVSM) held a training workshop entitled Advancing Livestock Enterprise and Resource Training Program for Veterinarians (VetALERT): Strengthening Diagnostic Competence in Pathology and Transferrable Veterinary Skills on August 26-29, 2025. In her Opening Remarks, Dr. Virginia M. Venturina, Director of CenTrAD, warmly welcomed the participants and underscored the significance of the activity in advancing veterinary practice, emphasizing its role in enhancing professional growth and ensuring quality service. Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, CLSU Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Corrie Brown, LifeStock International Executive Director; Dr. Christian P. Daquigan, DA-BAI OIC Director; Dr. Jerry V. Alcantara, PVMA President; and Dr. Noraine P. Medina, CVSM Professor, delivered messages of support. They also highlighted the significance of partnership and collaboration in advancing veterinary services. Also, Dr. Janice S. Garcia, Head of the DA-BAI National ASF Prevention and Control Program, presented a comprehensive presentation on the topic “Navigating the Landscape: Challenges in Field Detection of Emerging Animal Diseases.” The session started with a lecture on Introduction to Adult Learning facilitated by Dr. Brown, followed by scenario-based discussions on avian diseases jointly conducted by Dr. Brown, Dr. Nicholas Streitenberger, and Dr. Kelsey Fiddes of the Global Health Pathology Network. The program, facilitated by Dr. Mark Andrew N. Cuento, a member of the Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners and a recognized expert in poultry, concluded with an interactive hands-on training on chicken necropsy, sample collection, handling, storage, packaging, and report writing. The VetALERT training workshop drew participation from the academe and government veterinarians representing various regions nationwide. Photo by: The Speculum- CVSM

Aug. 29, 2025

CLSU Maestro-Singers Earn Gold in Musica Sacra at AOV Choral Festival

Representing Central Luzon State University with artistry and excellence, the CLSU Maestro-Singers proudly won the Gold Diploma Award in the Musica Sacra category at the recently concluded Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival 2025, held from August 20 to 24, 2025. The Musica Sacra competition happened at the Church of the Gesù at Ateneo de Manila University. The CLSU Maestro-Singers performed the following sacred masterpieces: - Christus Factus Est by Anton Bruckner - Tu es Petrus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Crux Fidelis arranged by Alejandro D. Consolacion II Competing against 18 of the country’s top choral ensembles, the CLSU Maestro – Singers showcased their unwavering passion and commitment to the choral arts, bringing pride and honor to the university and the nation.

Aug. 28, 2025

Former CLSU Student Pub EIC Named Outstanding Tertiary Campus Journalist in Central Luzon

CLSU Collegian Former Editor-in-Chief (EIC), Mr. Winchester Santos, has been selected as one of Central Luzon’s Top 10 Outstanding Tertiary Campus Journalists in the 4th Search for Outstanding Tertiary Campus Journalists (OTCJ) out of the 23 nominees across the region. He is the first-ever recipient of the said award hailing from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and its official student publication bestowed by the Association of Tertiary School Paper Advisers of Region III, Inc. (ATSPAR III) and Young Journalists Association of Region III (YJAR III). Mr. Santos will receive the award during the 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress (YJPFC) at the Tarlac State University (TSU) — Lucinda Campus on Friday, August 29, 2025. Indeed, this recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the University’s student publication to uphold the highest standards of campus journalism. View the full list of the Top 10 OTCJ: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CCvz2mQdy/?mibextid=wwXIfr #SievingForExcellence

Aug. 28, 2025

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