Cotabato Provincial Fishery Office OIC Visits USM President
November 4, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Pest Evaluation, Surveillance & Treatment Laboratory (PESTLab) gathered Bachelor of Science in Agriculture students majoring in Entomology from USM and the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), alongside entomology experts from various pest control companies across Mindanao and food industry practitioners, for PESTalk 2026. The event took place at the College of Agriculture (CA) Audio-Visual Room on October 29–31, 2026.
PESTalk 2026 aimed to equip future entomologists and food practitioners with practical knowledge and skills in urban pest management, food safety standards, and professional pest control practices through a series of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and field monitoring.
On the first day, Mr. Lauren Mark Sumaylo from ENTECH Philippines opened the event with a lecture titled “BEYOND THE LAB: Bridging Science and Standards.” Mr. Sumaylo detailed the fundamental role of rigorous food safety compliance from an industrial pest management perspective, emphasizing real-world applications and regulatory frameworks.
The second day transitioned into two core technical discussions led by experts from Rentokil Initial:
- “Urban Pest Identification and Assessment: From Biology and Behavior to Inspection and Monitoring” – led by Ms. Karen Queen Wrencyll Loredo
- “Integrated Urban Pest Management: Protecting Structures and Public Health” – led by Mr. Christopher Catalan
To complement the lectures with hands-on application, Mr. John Bryan Coloma, Senior Field Biologist at Rentokil Initial, conducted a practical workshop on professional pest control practices.
Concluding the three-day event, Dr. Joseph Quisado, Head of USM PESTLab, presented the current context of termite and rodent infestations in USM’s Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) facilities. Following the lecture, participants engaged in live facility monitoring and field assessment exercises across the campus.
PESTalk 2026 was organized in partnership with the USM Extension Services Office (ESO) and the Philippine Association of Agriculturists (PAA) SOCCSKSARGEN Robusta Chapter, with an official representative from the Philippine Association of Entomologists (PAE), Inc. in attendance.
By serving as a specialized training and collaborative platform, PESTalk 2026 provided agriculture students across Mindanao and food practitioners with invaluable industry exposure and direct mentorship from seasoned experts. Ultimately, this initiative reinforces USM’s commitment to strengthening academic-industry linkages, elevating student competence, and advancing public health protection.
