The Research Symposium is a joint assembly of member institutions under the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Program (ViCAARP) and the Regional Research, Development, and Extension Network (RRDEN).

Doing research should also mean enterprise development, USec Montejo emphasized, to encourage economic activity in a community and generate jobs.

Quoting data on the average age of Filipino farmers, USec Montejo pointed out that farmers are getting old. This situation, he said, is due to the growing disinterest of the youth in farming.

“Education is tailored for employment,” said USec Montejo as he described that young adults do not often entrust their future to farming business.  

The BS Forestry alumnus of VSU also said there is a need for robust collaborations between government agencies and research academies.  Quoting Executive Order No. 26 or the declaration of an interdepartmental convergence initiative for a National Greening Program (NGP), USec Montejo said he recognizes VSU as a partner in this DENR initiative.

After the opening ceremonies of the Symposium, a memorandum of agreement between DENR and VSU was signed by VSU President Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, USec Montejo, and VSU Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Othello B. Capuno.

The agreement stipulated the funding of the livelihood systems project of VSU in Eastern Visayas in support to NGP.

The Research Symposium is an annual joint conference of ViCAARP and RRDEN to provide opportunities to share research outputs and recognize outstanding research and development projects among member institutions. Some 25 government agencies, research, and academic institutions in Region VIII are members of ViCAARP. 

USec Montejo and DENR-8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca study the displayed research posters.