By Cyrus A. Natividad

Dr. Mario Lamberte, the plenary speaker is a team leader of the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. (UPPAF), Regulatory Support Program for National Development (RESPOND).

The 18th Research and Development Week is hosted by the CPU Research Center from May 18 to 22, 2021 It is held online for the first time. It includes the 22nd Faculty Research Symposium and the 19th Student Research Symposium. This year’s theme is “Advancing Responsive Research Towards Social Responsibility.’ The College of Computer Studies is in- charge of the opening program. Prof. Rea P. Balontong chairs the R&D Technical Support Committee.
The Opening Program started at 9:00 in the morning with an invocation led by Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director, Office of Communications. The National Anthem video was played and was followed by the CPU Symphonic Band’s Alma Mater Song, “Central, My Central”.

Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Florence P. Bogacia made her welcome remarks. She reminded everyone about problems which can only be solved by seeking the answer, through research; citing the proverbial advice from the Bible in Matthew 7:7. It says, “Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened, ask and it shall be given unto you”.

University President Dr. Teodoro C, Robles thanked the participants for their valuable time in the Research Week. He acknowledged the efforts of the Research Committee led by University Research Center Director, Dr. Mary ‘O. Penetrante. He emphasized the need of teachers who teaches research. He pointed out the need to focus on research that are specific to each course. The objective he said is to improve the social responsibility that will impact on economic possibilities.

Engr. Bernie C. Cangrejo, Chair, Packaging Department- College of Engineering acted as the moderator during the Q&A.

University Research Center Director, Dr. Mary ‘O T. Penetrante, presented an overview of the 18th Research and Development Week. She said that the event also serves as an evaluation of what we have achieved this year”.

The keynote speaker Dr. Mario Lamberte was introduced by Engr. Bernie C. Cangrejo, Chair, Packaging Department- College of Engineering. The speaker holds a PhD in Economics degree from the University of the Philippines, and a Post – doctoral Studies from Stanford University in California. He currently works as a team leader of the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. (UPPAF), Regulatory Support Program for National Development (RESPOND). Lamberte underlined the need to consider social responsibility as essential in research. He encouraged researchers not to be despaired of their research works ending up in bookshelves. “I have research works 20 years ago that are still being used by government in policy making .” Lamberte added.

Engr. Cangrejo was moderator for the Q & A. Portion. The first Plenary Speaker, Dr. Iris Ann Gorriceta Borlongan, is a Scientist at the University of the Philippines Visayas. She earned her PhD degree in Fisheries Science from Kagoshima University, in Kagoshima, Japan. Borlongan talked on “The importance of seaweeds in the coastal ecosystem”.

The two other Plenary Speakers Ms. Hayacynth Magat(Master of Arts in Political Economy ,University of Asia and the Pacific), and Mr. Pascal Renaud (Deutsche Gesellschaft for Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), are both advisors on ‘Rethinking Plastics-Circular Economy talked on solutions to Global Marine Litters of Plastics.
The week -long celebration will culminate with a closing program on Saturday, May 22, 2021.