What a good way to start the love month with Cavite State University (CvSU) as host to the 2019 Caravan of the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST), last February 1, 2019.

The caravan, aimed at introducing and encouraging membership to the organization started with a program at SM Rolle Hall, this university, with members of the administrative council, headed by university president, Dr. Hernando D. Robles, who welcomed the participants and expressed his support to the vision and mission of the Association. “We are deeply honored for choosing our university as your venue for this noteworthy undertaking”, he said.

Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, PhilAAST president and executive director of PCHRD gave a brief orientation of PhilAAST to the participants composed of faculty and staff, officials from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Indang, different stakeholders and private individuals.

Meanwhile, Hon. Fortunato T. de la Peña, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and adviser of PhilAAST also graced the event with his inspirational message and presented the DOST’s major programs.

Dr. Teddy F. Tepora, project leader, talked on the Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) Project. Highlight of the morning program was the induction of new PhilAAST recruits. The Association recruited a number of faculty and staff from the colleges and satellite campuses of CvSU to become members.

PhilAAST is a non-stock and non-profit scholarly organization aimed to promote and broaden the base of scientific advancement in the country.  It operates using funds from membership fees, annual dues, sponsorships, and donations. Its members are researchers from different fields of science aiming to share their findings with fellow scientists, and the Filipino community.

The one-day activity wrapped up with field tours on the following sites: Coffee Quality Processing Center and Agriculture and Food Technology Business Incubator (AFTBI) Production Area and Coffee Gene bank in CvSU; Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT) at Silan Farm; and three sites in Bacoor City, namely: L.A. Machineries Corporation; Bacoor Food Processing Center; and Bacoor Mussel Depuration Facility. Drs. Ruel M. Mojica, VP for Research and Extension and Alexander R. Madrigal, Regional Director of DOST 4A facilitated the tour.