The Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIP Lab) of the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) concluded its Mentoring Program on Policy Analysis and Research Proposal Development for Region V with a graduation ceremony held at the CPAf Multi-Purpose Hall on May 23, 2025. The event marked the culmination of a five-month journey, where eight mentee groups from state universities and research institutions presented their policy research proposals. The program was conducted in collaboration with the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) and the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD).
Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan, the CPAf Dean, welcomed the participants by highlighting the importance of policy research and leadership for social impact, especially in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sector.
Dr. Ramona Isabel Ramirez, the Vice President for Research and Innovation at CBSUA, affirmed CBSUA’s commitment to collaborative research with BCAARRD and DIP Lab.
Dr. Lester Narvaez, the BCAARRD Consortium Director, delivered an inspirational message emphasizing policy research’s role in the DIP Lab program, with a quote, “research generates ideas; policy brings them to life.”
The eight mentee groups were paired with seasoned mentors in crafting policy research proposals to address challenges in the AANR sector. Their mentors include CPAf-UPLB researchers Dr. Hadji C. Jalotjot and Dr. Nico Jayson C. Anastacio, former faculty member Prof. Nelson Jose Vincent B. Querijero, and professorial lecturer Dr. V. Bruce J. Tolentino, joined by UPLB experts Dr. Hildie Maria E. Nacorda (School of Environmental Science and Management), Dr. Arvin B. Vista (College of Economics and Management), Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña (College of Forestry and Natural Resources), and Dr. Emely Dicolen (UP Manila’s National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions).
At the event, each mentee group presented a 10-minute policy research output, covering priority areas: Philippine abaca industry mechanization, pili nut industry strategies, indigenous peoples in agriculture, coconut industry mechanization, seaweed farming policies, mangrove ecosystem resilience, youth engagement in agriculture, and queen pineapple production protocols. Mentors, DOST-PCAARRD, and BCAARRD provided feedback, followed by a graduation ceremony honoring the mentees’ months of dedicated research and collaboration.
Dr. Maria Luz L. Malabayabas, DIP Lab Project Leader, formally concluded the program by expressing gratitude to all collaborators, mentors, and partner institutions for their support and contributions. She also announced that preparations are already underway for the launch of the DIP Lab Mentoring Program’s second batch in the coming months.
DIP Lab is a sub-unit under the Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS) of CPAf-UPLB, formally institutionalized last September 26, 2024. For more information, visit DIP Lab’s official website at: https://diplab.uplb.edu.ph/.
