Research teams from the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) College of Applied Economics (CAEc) and the Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Center (SERDAC) Mindanao secured 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 and 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 in the 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 for Cluster 1 (Divisions I, II, and XI) at the 2026 Annual Scientific Conference and the 93rd General Membership Assembly of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) on March 13, 2026 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The first-place entry,𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗗𝘂𝗰𝗸 (𝗣𝗠𝗗) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 focused on strengthening sustainable duck production. Its authors include Roperto S. Deluna, Jr., Nerisa N. Paladan, Ronald D. Estrada, Christopher D. Balubayan, Christine R. Varquez-Abines, Francis Ignatius Nieva, Michael Vale, Menchi Del Castillo-Crispina, Rain Cesar B. Arana, Dave S. Roblis, and Cynthia V. Osario.

The second-place study,𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥&𝗗 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗥&𝗗 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, evaluated the effectiveness of seaweeds research and development initiatives. Its authors are Roperto S. Deluna, Jr., Michael L. Ayala, Karlo Martin C. Caramugan, Rizamae S. Palen, Christine R. Varquez-Abines, Jesus A. Villardo III, Cloydessa S. Matilac, and Keturah Sue E. Mascariñas.

Supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), these projects highlight USeP’s commitment to advancing research with integrity, relevance, and impact. Dr. Roperto S. Deluna, Jr., project leader of both initiatives, received the awards on behalf of the teams.

Both findings of these studies serve as valuable guides for ensuring that interventions are innovative, effective in improving the welfare of Filipino farmers and industry stakeholders and aligned with the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This recognition reflects the dedication and collaborative effort of the entire research team in striving for excellence. USeP proudly celebrates this achievement as a meaningful contribution to national development.

NRCP, Dr. Sonico and Dr. Besing