USM College Entrance Examination (USMCEE) For A.Y. 2026–2027
November 20, 2025
USM BS Ag Econ Celebrates 42 Years, Charts Plans for 2026
November 21, 2025
Multiple entries from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) earned top awards during the SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC) 32nd Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) held on November 20, 2025, at the USMARDC Auditorium, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Dr. Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan and Prof. Bryan Lloyd P. Bretaña of the USM Biology Department won Best Paper and Best Poster in the Research Category for their study titled “Chemical Applications Alter Nematode Communities but Soil Food Webs Remain Resilient in Cacao AgroEcosystems.” Their work also received the Research Impact Award and the Outstanding Innovation Award. The study was funded by DOST XII under its initial project title “Biological Diagnostic Tool for Vulnerable Agroecosystem.”
Meanwhile, USM’s IPTTBDO Director, Dr. Jalaloden B. Marohom, and Dr. Ivy Mar Cabornida, a faculty member from College of Human Ecology and Food Sciences (CHEFS) won Best Paper and Best Poster in the Development Category for his research titled “Commercialization of Chevon Food Products and Standardization of Processing Center.”
All winning entries will represent Region XII at the national level during the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development organized by DOST-PCAARRD next year.
Further, Dr. Ma. Elena Tanabe won 2nd Best Poster in the Research Category for her poster titled “Indigenous Phosphorus and Potassium Solubilizing Microorganisms as Potential Enhancer of Phosphorus and Potassium Uptake of Corn.”
Also, Prof. Pia Amabelle Flores received 2nd Best Poster in the Development Category for her poster titled “Enhancement of the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) in University of Southern Mindanao (USM) through the RAISE Program.”
These papers were carefully evaluated by the following distinguished evaluators:
Dr. Naomi G. Tangonan
DOST Lifetime Scientist and Researcher
Professor Emeritus, University of Southern Mindanao
Dr. Juanito T. Batalon
Deputy Executive Director for R&D
DOST – PCAARRD
Dr. Emmanuel P. Leaño
Professor VI, Central Mindanao University (CMU)
SOXAARRDEC, composed of 23 consortium member institutions (CMIs), conducts the symposium annually to showcase outstanding Research and Development (R&D) outputs from its members and to keep stakeholders informed about the latest work and innovations in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors.
Winners received cash prizes for both the research and development paper and poster categories as follows:
Paper Category
- Best Paper – ₱8,000
- 2nd Best Paper – ₱6,000
- 3rd Best Paper – ₱4,000
Poster Category
- Best Poster – ₱4,000
- 2nd Best Poster – ₱3,000
- 3rd Best Poster – ₱2,000
Guided by the theme: “Empowering Communities through AANR Research and Development in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region,” the activity was spearheaded by Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele, the Consortium Director.
