On February 23, 2022 different regional officers of the Department of Trade and Industry Region 02 visited the Isabela State University Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator. The visit is part of the interventions of ISU-ATBI to promote the incubator an its services to different government agencies for the benefit of MSMEs in the region.

          During the visit, collaboration between the two agencies were also discussed. Collaboration will focus on promotion of ISU-ATBI across the region by providing IEC materials in different municipal business centers, promotion of the different products of the incubatees during trade fairs and assistance to qualified incubatees to DTI Kapatid-Mentoring Program. Furthermore, during the meeting, the proposal to include DTI-Region 02 as one of the members of ISU-ATBI advisory board was also discussed.

         Among the key officials DTI- Region 2 who visited the ISU-ATBI are Mr. Ramil Garcia, the Chief of SME Division together with the Assistant Division Chief, Mr. Michael Paggabao,              Mr. Randolf Caracho, the OIC-Division Chief of the Industry Development Division, Ms. Ragel Tacazon, The Head of the Product Development and Standard Unit and Ms. Desiree S. Angolluan, the Head of the Marketing Unit.

            On February 24, 2022 the City Government of Tarlac, Tarlac launched the Farmer Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management (FLS-GEM). It will be the 7th batch of goat raisers trained using FLS-GEM modality and the participants indigenous people of the Paquillo Aetas Native Abelling Cooperative.

           The training will be conducted for 31 weeks and to be managed by the City Veterinary Office and City Agriculture Office. It is hope that with the training, the cooperative will establish goat raising as one of the livestock-based production activities of its members.

            The launching of the training was attended by the City Cooperative Development Office and the City Council of Tarlac City as well as the Small Ruminant Center of Central Luzon State University.

       FLS-GEM is a modality developed by DOST-PCAARRD and implemented in 10 regions through the leadership of ISU-CVSRRC in 2018. The training launched by the City Government of Tarlac is a manifestation of its institutionalization and recognition as a competent training program on goat raising and enterprise development.

On April 1, 2022, the Isabela State University and the Department of Trade and Industry Isabela Provincial Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the promotion of Technology Business Incubation.

The project DOST-PCAARRD-ISU Agri Aqua Technology Business Incubation aims to serve as catalyst for the commercialization of different technologies under agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sector. To attain this goal, the ISU-ATBI project established collaboration with regional agencies that are aligned with the core objective of DOST-PCAARRD National Agri-Aqua TBI program on assisting entrepreneurs.

DTI is mandated to serve as main economic catalyst that enables innovative, competitive, job generating, inclusive business and empowers consumers. Having common goals, the two agencies agreed to promote ATBI to fast track promotion transfer and commercialization of AANR technologies. Furthermore, the partnership will also establish provide efficient services related to business and financial management, product promotion and marketing and access to different government aids for entrepreneurs.

The signing of partnership agreement was attended by Atty. Romano P. Cammayo (VP-Administration and Finance Services), Dr. Jose P. Gallena, Jr. (ISU-Echague Executive Officer) and Ms. Zenaida P. Quinto (OIC DC - Business Development Division of DTI Isabela Provincial Office). 

The Cagayan Valley Small Ruminant Research of Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela conducted a two-day training on goat production and management for a group of indigenous people (IP) in the Municipality of Sanchez Mira, Cagayan on April 6-7, 2022.

The training was conducted in support to the goat dispersal program of the municipality, in which breeder goats were distributed among IP to serve as additional source of income. The training was focused to housing design, health and breeding management, forage production and proper feeding for goats. Aside from production management, the participants were also trained on proper recording to gauge the improvement of the farm and on different allied enterprises that they can venture throughout the production. In support to the raisers, the center provided seeds and seedlings of different improved grasses and legumes for them to establish forage gardens.

The training was participated by 35 goat raisers and it was conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Veterinary Office of Cagayan. This activity is part of the DOST-PCAARRD project entitled, Enhancing the Agri-Aqua Food Value Chain through Smart Technologies and Partnerships towards Food Resiliency in the New Normal in Region 2.

Thirty food processors and incubatees from Region 2 took part in a two-day training and seminar organized by the DOST-PCAARRD-ISU-Agri Aqua Technology Business Incubator Project in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), held on February 7-8, 2024, at the ISU-Cagayan Valley Small Ruminants Research Center.

As part of the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement in Cagayan Valley (RAISE-CV) Program, the activity which joined across micro, small, and medium enterprises, aims to hasten the development of S&T-based agri-aqua enterprises.

On the first day, the Food and Drug Administration facilitated a training session focused on the Application of eLTO and Product Registration. Participants were equipped on the process of applying for product registration and the requisite requisite requirements for successful application.

Ms. Alegria Ong, Regional Supervisor of FDA-02, ans Ms. Rose Agatha Pagalilauan, the Licensing Officer, guided the participants technical exercises on the utilization of the eLTO portal.

On the following day, Engr. Janica Tacazon, an IP Field Operations Specialist, led the seminar, introducing participants to various inventions and innovations eligible for intellectual property application. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of intellectual property for MSMEs, highlighting its critical role in supporting new ventures and entrepreneurs.

Overall, the event provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing, skill development, and collaborating, creating an ideal environment for the growth and sustainability of agri-aqua enterprises in Cagayan Valley. The collaborative efforts of DOST-PCAARRD-ISU-ATBI and BFAR demonstrate the region's shared commitment to supporting technical advancement and economic growth.

With the goal to promote, support, strengthen, and encourage the growth and development of Micro, Small, and  Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Isabela State University has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Food and Drug Administration on March 20, 2024.

Under the esteemed leadership of Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, President of ISU, dignitaries graced the ceremonial signing, including university vice presidents, administrators of ISU campuses, deans representing various colleges and head of offices. The Food and Drug Administration on the other hand was led by Atty. Gomel C. Gabuna, Director II and Field Regulatory Operations Officer for North Luzon Cluster and Ms. Alegria Ong, Regional Supervisor of FDA- 02.

Under the theme “Bigyang-halaga, Bangon MSMEs," the collaborative efforts of both parties underscored the importance of strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), expanding their product lines, and facilitate their access to domestic as well as global markets. The partnership between ISU and FDA exemplifies a unified commitment toward bolstering the competitiveness and adaptability of MSMEs, thereby fostering inclusive economic advancement and sustainable growth. Under this partnership, MSMEs will be trained on various regulatory standards in compliance to RA 9501 including License to Operate (LTO), Certificate of Product Registration (CPR), Certificate of Product Notification (CPN) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certification.

The activities outlined in this partnership was spearheaded by DOST-PCAARRD-ISU Agri Aqua Technology Business Incubator. It is expected that this partnership will foster economic growth in the communities.