By Mikee Natinga Norico
From left to right: Prof. Lesley Joy L. Dignadice, Acting Director of the Local and International Linkages and Affiliation Center (LILAC); Pastor Alfred C. Morales, Director of the Office of Student Development Programs; Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr., Director of the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center; Mr. John Erland C. Pudadera, Service Administrator and Marketing Coordinator; Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension; Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President; Ms. Susanita T. Aurelio, President of the Iloilo New Agri Group of Companies (INAGC); Engr. John Patrick E. Casipe, General Manager of INAFLAI; and Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, Board Member of the Iloilo New Agri Foundation Inc., pose for a photo after the successful signing of the MoU.
Central Philippine University (CPU) and the Iloilo New Agri Group of Companies (INAGC) officially solidified their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing held on October 3, 2025, at the CPUGAD TBI Co-Working Space. The event marked a significant milestone in advancing collaborative initiatives in research, innovation, and community engagement between the academe and the agricultural industry.
The ceremony opened with a prayer led by Pastor Alfred C. Morales, Director of the Office of Student Development Programs, followed by a welcome message from Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President. In his message, Rev. Dr. Dagohoy expressed heartfelt appreciation for the generosity and continued support of the Iloilo New Agri Group of Companies to CPU, emphasizing how industry partnerships strengthen the University’s commitment to innovation and service.
Delivering the rationale of partnership, Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (AVPRDE), highlighted the longstanding collaboration between CPU and INAGC. She noted that the partnership extends beyond joint projects—it represents a collective effort to bridge education and industry through shared initiatives in research, extension, and technological development. Dr. Romallosa emphasized that this alliance will provide students and faculty with hands-on learning, training, and opportunities to develop technologies that benefit both the agricultural and ICT sectors.
“This partnership allows our students to gain hands-on experience in operating equipment such as the rice combine harvester and other agricultural technologies. It also enables us to complement each other’s strengths, share resources and facilities, and conduct training, research, and development activities—something we have already been doing in previous engagements. Through this joint effort, we also aim to provide venues for experiential learning where our students, faculty researchers, and supported startups can learn and grow. We aspire to promote co-ownership of programs, where both CPU and Iloilo New Agri can proudly display their partnership logos in future projects and activities,” Dr. Romallosa said.
The Memorandum of Understanding was read by Prof. Lesley Joy C. Larroza-Dignadice, Director of the Local and International Linkages and Affiliation Center, followed by the official signing of the document led by Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President, Ms. Susanita T. Aurelio, President of the Iloilo New Agri Group of Companies (INAGC), Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, AVPRDE and Mr. John Erland C. Pudadera, INAGC Service Administrator and Marketing Coordinator. The signing was witnessed by Prof. Lesley Joy L. Dignadice, Pastor Alfred C. Morales, Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol Jr., CPU Director of the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center; Engr. John Patrick E. Casipe, General Manager and Board of Director of Ina Farmers Learning Site and Agri-Farm, Inc. and Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, Board Member of the Iloilo New Agri Foundation Inc.
During the messages of commitment, Ms. Susanita T. Aurelio, Mr. John Erland C. Pudadera, Dr. Joyce S. Wendam and Engr. John Patrick E. Casipe each reaffirmed their dedication to nurturing a productive and meaningful collaboration with CPU.
The event concluded with a meeting and discussions on how both parties can move forward as new partners by reaffirming their shared vision of fostering sustainable innovation and empowering communities—bridging the gap between academic expertise and real-world industry practices.