Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. met with representatives from the University of the Philippines Visayas Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension headed by Vice Chancellor Harold Monteclaro to discuss possible areas of collaboration in terms of research and development.
They presented their research programs on food security, health, and social services, among others.
The meeting is just among the series of consultations of the provincial government with academic institutions in Iloilo as part of the province’s plan to develop a localized research and development program.
Governor Defensor said he wants “to maximize the potential of Ilonggo minds from our academic institutions so that we can disperse their creation for the practical needs of our people.”
The governor is looking at partnering with universities in terms of crafting food packaging for local products and developing food varieties to create a value chain for local produce.
One of Defensor’s agenda under his MoRProGRes Iloilo campaign is to create a value chain for agricultural products to generate employment and business for the agricultural-tourism industry.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and other Capitol employees also joined the meeting.