2 additional feathers to EVIARC's cap

Rufino B. Ayaso III
Manager DA-EVIARC Babatngon, Leyte

Most Outstanding Research Manager for 2003

and

Carlos S dela Cruz Superintendent, RIARC Abuyog, Leyte

Outstanding DOST-PCARRD Scholar for 2002

Two young managers of the Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (EVIARC) have made the Department of Agriculture-VIII proud by the prestigious national awards they received, hence, adding another two feathers to EVIARC's cap.

Mr. Rufino B. Ayaso III, DA-EVIARC manager, is the 2003 Most Outstanding Research Manager awarded by PHILARM or Philippine Association of Research Managers during the Awarding Ceremony of its 13th National Convention held recently at the Prominence Inn, Singcang, Bacolod City.

The award is given to men and women in recognition of their significant achievements in managing research and development programs/projects of their respective institution/agency. It also encourages research managers to unselfishly dedicate their time and effort and use their expertise in the furtherance of research management and operations.

PHILARM, Inc. is a private, non-stock, non-profit, professional organization, dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the role of managers in improving and sustaining productivity in research. The award was given by PHILARM President, Dr. Teotimo Agamon and ttje Chair of the Awards and Selection Committee, Dr. Semeon S. Crucido. A plque and a cash prize of P10,000 went with the award.

The Most Outstanding Research Manager Award is one of the two highest awards earned by the EVIARC manager, the other being the PANTAS Award as Outstanding Research Administrator given by DOST-PCARRD in 1999.

As Ms. Natividad Andulte, EVIARC's liaison officer, said of Manager Ayaso, "As a research manager, Mr. Ayaso is organized and systematic. He has an inquisitive mind critically needed by a research manager like him. Also, he is responsible for the physical upliftment of the Center as well as the RIARC satellites and the different Technologically Advanced Agribusiness Demonstration Stations (TAADS) Despite limited funds he managed to import these facilities, one of which is the improvement of the main RIARC's administration building and concreting of the perimeter fence. As our supervisor, he is frank and open to suggestions. And he does not hesitate to correct and given us advice too.

Dr. Carlos S. de la Cruz, the RIARC-Abuyog superintendent, was commended by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for his outstanding performance as a Ph.D. in Agriculture student at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna. He was given a Plaque of Recognition for being one of the country's 12 Outstanding DOST_PCARRD Scholar for 2002.

This was given during the Awarding Ceremony recently held at the Manila Hotel. The awarding was part of the activities of DOST's National Science Week celebration (of DOST), the annual activity is held in recognition of the country's youth having high aptitude in science and mathematics as provided for under the Science and Technology Act of 1994 (Republic Act. No. 7687).

Dr. de la Cruz obtained his Ph.D. in Agriculture major in Plant Pathology and minor in Entomology from UPLB, Lagjuna under the DOST-PCARRD Schoolarship Program.

This is what Engineer Jimmy Palma, agriculturist and Ms. Salvacion Arandia, liaison officer of RIARC-Abuyog, said of Superintendent de la Cruz: "As a scientist and a person, he is definitely okey. Besides, he is openminded, a plus factor for a scientist. In so short a time 9ths) he has been our boss, he already has improved our tissue culture laboratory and provided new equipment.