University of the Philippines Los Baos

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension

ANNUAL
REPORT
Nov 2014 - Oct 2015

O
ce of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension
3F UPLB Main Library Building
UPLB, College, Laguna, Philippines, 4031
Telefax: + 63 (49) 536-2354 (Main)

+ 63 (49) 536-5326 (Annex)
Local VOIP: 1500, 1502, 1510, 1515, 1520
Website: http://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph
E-mail: ovcreuplb@gmail.com; ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph
UPLBRandE

@UPLBResearch UPLBResearch

UPLBRandE

OVCREUPLB

All rights reserved.

2015.
Citation: University of the Philippine Los Baos. Annual Report Nov 2014-Oct 2015.
Oce of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension. College, Los Baos, Laguna.

TABLE of
CONTENTS
List of Tables


List of Figures

List of Annexes

ii

Executive Summary

Towards a globally competitive

graduate and research university

ii

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards

inclusive growth

A. Enhancing research culture

B. Increasing resource base

C. Expanding research output utilization
D. Public Service

11

15

20

Sustaining academic leadership and excellence

21

Creation of an enabling environment for creativity

and innovation

25

Way Forward

28

LIST OF TABLES
1

Distribution of approved Basic Research Program

proposals for 2015

Distribution of new proposals for funding for the 2016 Basic

Research Program

New proposals endorsed

Number of projects by College/Unit and Fund Administrator

Number of projects by College/Unit and Project Status

Number of Publications by UPLB Faculty and REPS

10

Combined Total R&E Funds from 2010-2015 (in Php 000)

of UPLB and UPLBFI

11

UPLB Research Funds (CY 2015)

12

UPLBFI Research Funds (CY 2015)

13

10

RDE Portal Google Analytics

15

11

Number of REPS by Designation, Rank, and Appointment

Status as of Oct 2015

22

12

Number of REPS by College/Unit, Designation, and Appointment

Status as of Oct 2015

23

LIST OF FIGURES
1

Total R&E Funds from 2010-2015 (in Php 000)

11

IRIMS User Interface

19

Total Number of REPS by REPS Sector and Appointment

Status as of Oct 2015

21

Distribution of REPS by age group

23

LIST OF ANNEXES
1

2

OVCRE Strategic Planning Framework

OVCRE Operational Plan

30

31

ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For the past year, the OVCRE has
concentrated all its efforts in being instrumental
in the attainment of the Chancellors vision for
UPLB to be a globally competitive graduate
and research university contributing to national
development.
Mandated as the UPLB unit in charge with
the universitys research and extension
programs, the OVCRE is tasked to oversee
the development and implementation of R
and E programs of the university; initiate
innovative techniques for efficient planning,
implementation, performance evaluation,
and reporting of R and E activities in the
university; effect increased output of technical
and popular publications and implement an
extensive and efficient distribution system;
coordinate staff development of personnel
research, extension, and professional staff
categories; and assist in resource generation
and in the establishment of inter-institutional
linkages in R and E.

With four (4) sections under its wings, the

OVCRE focused on meeting the three
Strategic Objectives set out by the Office of
the Chancellor (OC): sustaining academic
leadership and excellence; utilization of
knowledge and technologies towards
inclusive growth; and creation of an enabling
environment for creativity and innovation.
Spearheaded by the Project Development and
Monitoring and Evaluation Section (PDMES),
the OVCRE has pushed for enhancing research
culture and increasing the universitys resource
base. Aside from approving implementation of
41 new and promising Basic Research projects
in 2015, 222 new project proposals and MOA
were endorsed to the OC for funding by the UP
System or by national agencies.
PDMES formulated new programs and
activities to supplement research culture
like the Basic Research Mentoring Program,
Pagtuklas: a Research Symposium, and

Executive Summary
is seeking commitment for publication of
completed researches.
As a continuing initiative to promote effective
research implementation, PDMES conducted
the 10th Orientation Seminar on R&D Project
Implementation and Management. Likewise,
to further increase scientific productivity, the
PDMES also crafted the Scientific Paper
Writing Workshop Series and Journal Matching
Service. In the pipeline is the Publication
Assistance Program, which will provide editorial
and monetary assistance to high impact
researches for publication to ISI-indexed
journals.
PDMES also endorsed project proposals
to various research grants offered by the
System (i.e. ECWRG, EIDR, Balik PhD), and
established new linkages with local (i.e. Sugar
Regulatory Administration) and international
(i.e. USAID STRIDE) funding agencies.
The Information Management and Technology
Utilization Section (IMTUS) manages, packages
and reports R and E related data from all units
for use by the university administration and
other agencies. Development of the OVCRE

Integrated R&E Information Management

System (OVCRE IRIMS) started this January
2015. OVCRE IRIMS aims to integrate all
R and E related data including data on the
Research, Extension and Professional Services
Sector (REPS), research project monitoring,
scholarly outputs of UPLB faculty and REPS,
and UPLB public service activities.
IMTUS also develops and maintains
various modalities to provide information,
popularize the scientific outputs of university
R and E activities, and promote the various
technologies and services of the university.
IMTUS publishes the RDE Digest (feature RDE
stories) and the RDE Chronicle (RDE News)
which comes alternately every quarter. It also
updates and maintains various social media
accounts to increase the reach of UPLB
researches and technologies.
The OVCRE Information Officers Network
(ION) was formed as an initiative of the IMTUS
to assist in the promotion and popularization
of UPLBs R and E programs. The ION is
composed of selected OVCRE staff and
representatives from OVCRE supervised units.

Executive Summary

IMTUS also took the lead in UPLBs

participation in various exhibitions to showcase
UPLB products, programs and technologies.

Service Records (RSR), tenure, workload,

promotion, and REPS policy review and
outputs.

The Extension Section (ES) coordinates

all extension activities and public service
engagements of the university. With the call
of the UP System to intensify the universitys
public service function, the ES conducted the
1st UPLB Public Service Forum and the 2015
ConExtS (Conference on Extension Services).
The Forum defined and created the framework
of UPLBs extension and public service while
ConExtS featured papers which highlight
UPLBs unique brand of extension service.

To facilitate its mandates and functions, the

OVCRE is currently being manned by the
Administrative Section which serves as the
clearinghouse of all UPLB RDE documents.
OVCRE has also been proactive in providing
support to various adhoc and steering
committes of the university.

Under this section is the REPS HR in charge

of the professional development of the REPS.
The section spearheaded a conference, series
of dialogues and mini-workshops on the REPS

Indeed, OVCRE has moved one step forward

to meet the Chancellors vision of a globally
competitive graduate and research university.
To be faithful to our mandate as the countrys
National University, and to be true to the UP
tradition of honor and excellence, the OVCRE
fully commits, in every capacity it can offer, to
contribute to the development of our nation.

Towards a globally competitive

graduate and research university
As articulated by Chancellor Fernando C.
Sanchez, Jr. during his Investiture Speech, the
University is enjoined to be proactive towards
attaining global competitiveness as a graduate
and research university contributing to national
development. President Alfredo E. Pascual
likewise urged for granting esh and fruition to
Chancellor Sanchezs vision.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
and Extension (OVCRE) is in its best position
to respond to this challenge. Guided by the
Chancellors Vision and Strategic Plan, the
OVCRE crafted its own Operational Plan for
the next three years. Based on the Three
Strategic Objectives, Key Result Areas and Key
Performance Indicators, various programs and
activities were formulated.
The following report highlights what the
OVCRE has achieved in the attainment of
this vision in the first year of the current
administration. It also includes updates of
OVCREs regular mandates and functions.

Utilization of knowledge and

technologies towards inclusive growth
A. Enhancing research culture
The UPLB Basic Research Program
From fifty-six (56) Basic Research proposals
submitted by various units for 2015, forty-one

(41) have been approved for implementation.

Twenty-five (25) are from the faculty and
sixteen (16) are from the REPS (Table 1). To
date, forty-two (42) new proposals have
already been submitted for evaluation for 2016
(Table 2).

Table 1. Distribution of approved Basic Research Program proposals for 2015

College/Unit

Number

CAS

13

CEAT

CEM

CHE

CFNR

CPAf

BIOTECH

Total

41

CA

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

The PhP 5M Basic Research Program provides
financial assistance for basic studies in the
natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences,
and the humanities.
The program also supports the universitys
instruction function and is responsive to
national development needs.

(faculty or REPS) will partner with a junior

researcher. The partnership will not only help
develop the junior researchers technical and
project management skills but also establish
new networks and linkages.
10th Orientation Seminar on R&D Project
Implementation and Management

College/Unit

Number

CAS

Aimed at addressing researchers concerns

on project management, particularly in
financial and procurement concerns, the
10th Orientation Seminar on R&D Project
Implementation and Management was
conducted last 5 and 6 May 2015. It was
attended by 36 project leaders and staff of
ongoing and newly-approved projects.

CDC

CEAT

Pagtuklas: UPLB Research Symposium

CEM

CHE

CFNR

CPAf

OVCRE

ILC

Total

42

Table 2. Distribution of new proposals

for funding for the 2016 Basic Research
Program

CA

14

The UPLB Mentoring Program

To further strengthen the Basic Research
Program and to nurture UPLBs human
resources, OVCRE is implementing a
mentoring scheme wherein a senior researcher

Dubbed as Pagtuklas, the UPLB Research

Symposium aimed to present the quality,
diversity, and novelty of outputs or research
projects funded by the Basic Research
Program to the UPLB community and its
valued partners. Selected research projects
presented to partner government agencies for
potential future collaborations.
Evaluation and Endorsement of new
proposals and MOA
A total of 222 proposals were initially screened
and endorsed to the Chancellors Office from
01 November 2014 to 31 October 2015. Upon
evaluation with CTTE, these proposals are
expected to deliver not only significant but also
patentable outputs (Table 3).

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Table 3. New proposals endorsed
Number of
Proposals

Funding Agency
DA and attached agencies

51

DOST and attached agencies - 11

71

PCAARRD - 53
PCIEERD - 7
UPLB

UPLB Basic Research

41

UP System
Enhanced Creative Work and Research Grant (ECWRG) - 19
Emerging Interdisciplinary Research Program (EIDR)

- 11

34

Balik PhD Program - 4

International Organizations/Agencies

CHED

Total

222

Projects per College/Unit

There is a total of 844 projects in 2015: 317
UPLB-monitored projects, 169 UPLBFImonitored projects, 298 core-funded projects,
and 60 externally-funded projects (Table 4.)
The College of Agriculture (CA) implemented
the most number of research projects

(339 projects: 110 UPLB-monitored,

73 UPLBFI-monitored, 135 core-funded
projects, and 21 externally-funded projects).
There is a total of 257 new projects in 2015
while a total of 313 projects are completed in
2015 (Table 5).

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Table 4. Number of projects by College/Unit and Fund Administrator
College/Unit

UPLB

UPLBFI

Core

External

TOTAL

CAS

54

15

24

102

CDC

17

CEAT

31

10

49

CEM

24

41

CFNR

27

20

19

11

77

CHE

18

30

CPAf

17

16

36

CVM

SESAM

GS

OPR

OSA

OVCRE - Main

ISC

MNH

23

26

BIOTECH

33

11

48

95

Ugnayan ng Pahinungod

UPLB Gender Center

TOTAL

317

169

298

60

844

CA

110

73

135

21

339

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

There is a total of 257 new projects in 2015 while a total of 313 projects were completed in 2015
(Table 5).
Table 5. Number of projects by College/Unit and Project Status
College/Unit

New

Ongoing

Completed

TOTAL

CAS

33

28

41

102

CDC

10

17

CEAT

17

21

11

49

CEM

26

12

41

CFNR

22

18

37

77

CHE

18

30

CPAf

24

10

36

CVM

SESAM

GS

OPR

OSA

OVCRE - Main

ISC

MNH

17

26

BIOTECH

12

41

42

95

Ugnayan ng Pahinungod

UPLB Gender Center

TOTAL

257

274

313

844

CA

97

118

124

339

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Publications
For the period of 2014 - 2015, there were 49
international publication awardees, 408 papers
presented in local conferences and 97
presented in international conferences. About
24 articles published in international refereed

journals and 50 articles published in local

refereed journals were recorded as of October
2015.
For book, book chapter/section we have
recorded 30 publications (Table 6).

Table 6. Number of Publications by UPLB Faculty and REPS

Articles/Books
Published/Papers
Presented

2014

2015*

TOTAL

International Publication Awardees

40**

49

International Refereed journal

24

24

Local Refereed journal

22

28

50

Book, Book Chapter/Section

16

14

30

Papers presented in International Conferences

63

34

97

Papers presented in Local Conferences

176

232

408

*FRS/RSR 2015 Source: UPLB Faculty and REPS Form 67a reports from colleges/units
**UP-OVPAA Source: OPVAA-Administered Awards >> International Publication Awards

Publication Commitment of Completed

Research

batches of workshops with publishable writeups as expected output.

Our UPLB researchers are well known for

technological breakthroughs and other
innovative contributions in addressing different
problems. However, important findings still
needs to be published in scientific publications.
The OVCRE recently reiterated the
commitment of aiming for scientific
publications from completed research.

Publication Assistance Program

Scientific Paper Writing Workshop Series

Funded by the DA-BIOTECH, the SPWWS
aims to produce publishable articles from
theses and dissertations of faculty and REPS
in temporary status. OVCRE will conduct 5

This DA-BAR funded project aims to assist the

researchers in the publication of their theses/
dissertations with editorial and monetary
provisions. The MOA is currently being
finalized.
Journal Matching Service
Taking advantage of the Manuscript Matcher
feature of Thomson Reuters EndNote
product line, researchers are assisted in the
recommendation of the most appropriate
journal publication for their journal articles.

10

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

B. Increasing Resource Base
Research and Development Funds
There is a steady increase of funds from
government agencies from 2010-2015 as
shown in Figure 1. R&D funds from
government funding agencies is Php 63M
higher this year than in the previous year while
funds from local/private agencies is
almost the same as that with the previous year.

The total UPLB research and development

funds generated in 2015 is PhP 563M for 416
projects: PhP 358M for 317 UPLBmonitored projects and PhP 205M for 99
UPLBFI-monitored projects (Table 8 and 9).
This is PhP 26M (5%) higher than the total
funds generated in 2014 (PhP 438M) (Table 7).

Table 7. Combined Total R&E Funds from 2010-2015 (in Php '000) of UPLB and UPLBFI
SOURCES OF
FUNDS

CY 2010 CY 2011 CY 2012 CY 2013

CY 2014 CY 2015 TOTAL

Gov't Funding
Agencies

135,960

194,122

269,252

391,198

436,096

499,054 1,925,681

International
Funding Agencies

76,903

20,469

70,134

57,904

54,282

16,718

296,410

Local/Private
Agencies

20,608

1,560

11,320

16,554

46,641

47,385

144,068

TOTAL

233,471

216,151

350,706

465,656

537,019

563,157 2,366,159

Govt funding agencies

International funding agencies

Local/private funding agencies

499,054
436,096

391,198

269,252

194,122
135,960
76,903
20,608

20,469
1,560

70,134
11,320

57,904
16,554

54,282
46,641

Fig. 1. Total R&E Funds from 2010-2015 (in Php 000)

11

47,385
16,718

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Table 8. UPLB Research Funds (CY 2015)
SOURCES OF FUNDS

BUDGET (in PhP

000)

NUMBER OF
PROJECTS

344,123

214

4,583

71,168

38

FIDA

PhilRice

11

DAR

820

13

DBP

DENR

5,828

DILG

DOH

328

7,760

DOST-PCAARRD

190,931

104

DOST-PCIEERD

61,837

35

FMB

NNC

450

PTTC-DTI

VSU

1,380

Gov't Funding Agencies

CHED
DA and attached Agencies
DA-ATI
DA-BAR

DOST and attached agencies

Local/Private Funding Agencies

416

Procter & Gamble, Phils.

1,380

UPLB

12,736

Interdisciplinary Studies Center

3,648

90

UPLB Basic Research

4,450

75

248

10

4,390

358,238

317

ECOPEACE Asia

UPLB Research Trust Fund

UPLB-BIOTECH (BIO-N Income)
Grand Total

*no budget released for CY 2015

12

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Table 9. UPLBFI Research Funds (CY 2015).
BUDGET
(in PhP 000)

NUMBER OF
PROJECTS

DA

4,500

DA-BAR

85,293

24

DAR

4,178

DENR-ERDB

1,500

DENR-FMB

334

DENR-PENRO

1,904

DOST

13,252

FAO

244

FDA

248

LGU Batangas

500

National Dairy Authority

275

National Nutrition Council

824

National Opinion Research Center (NORC)

533

NCCA

400

NEDA

13,642

NRCP

4,536

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute - DOST

1,314

Philippine Sugar Research Institute (PHILSURIN)

400

Philippine Tropical Forest Cnservation Foundation Inc.

575

UPLBFI

7,743

International Funding Agencies

16,718

13

Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh

4,224

308

4,643

Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

368

International Foundation for Science (IFS)

59

International Pharmaceuticals Inc.

240

SUMERNET

3,000

Universite Libre de Bruxelles

1,491

SOURCES OF FUNDS
Gov't Funding Agencies

ASEAN-India
German Development Cooperation (GIZ)

13

142,196

55

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Table 9 continued...
BUDGET
(in PhP 000)

University of Tokyo

615

NUMBER OF
PROJECTS

UP Alumni Association of Greater Chicago

430

WorldFish-EEPSEA

1,339

Local/Private Funding Agencies

46,005

31

Agri Specialist Inc.

138

Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A, DA

197

AgriSpecialist Inc.

148

Alter Trade

61

ASEAN Plant Health Cooperation Network of ASEANET

836

Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines

13,420

Bioversity International

1,060

DICONEX Philippines Inc.

267

Dr. Eulalo R. Baltazar, Jr. and Family

543

DSM Singapore Industrial Pte.

400

Ecopeace Asia

594

EVONIK Industries

255

KEMIN

457

Monsanto Philippines, Inc.

1,098

OceanaGold (Phils.), Inc.

2,038

101

Philippine Geothermal Production Company

5,037

Research Triangle Institute - USAID Stride Program

3,993

Research Triangle Institute (RTI)

12,891

106

Roxol Bioenergy Corporation

1,175

Team Energy Foundation Inc.

27

Team Energy Foundation Inc. (TEFI)

250

TOPI Employees Credit Cooperative

90

World Health Organization (WHO)

824

204,919

99

SOURCES OF FUNDS

Paci c Paint Boysen Philippines, Inc.

Restored Energy Development Corporation (REDCorp)

GRAND TOTAL

14

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

C. Expanding research output utilization

RDE Digest and Chronicle
Widest promotion and branding of UPLB as a
research university is currently being done by
OVCRE through print and online media.
The OVCRE has published the last RDE Digest
using the old format and launched the RDE
Chronicle as Offical RDE News of UPLB. The
New RDE Digest will focus on feature stories
of RDE initiatives of the university. The Digest
will be be published July and January while the
Chronicle every March and October.
RDE Portal
www.ovcre.uplb.edu.ph
To continuously provide RDE information, updates, and announcements, the OVCRE manages the UPLB RDE Portal. News, seminars
and events, memos, downloadable forms, and

15

other resources can be found in the Portal. It

also contains videos of events, seminars and
talks covered by OVCRE Staff. From 01 November 2014 to 30 October 2015, 14 videos
have been shared through the Portal.
Below is the data provided by Google
Analytics:
Table 10. RDE Portal Google Analytics
Users
Page views
Sessions

52,602
161, 739
61,154

In addition, the Portals Google PageRank is

PR 6/10. The PageRank is an estimate of how
important a website is by measuring the
number and quality of websites that link to
your website. To put this into perspective, the

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

UP System, UPLB, and UPD websites has a
PageRank of PR 7/10.
Incidentally, a new RDE Portal is
currently under construction which will be
hosted on OVCREs own server.
It will contain everything that is in the current
RDE Portal along with the addition of photo
and video galleries and archives of RDE Digest
and RDE Chronicle issues.
The new RDE Portals design aims to be more
appealing to younger audiences to
further increase website traffic as well as to
further engage other people beyond the
current scope of clientele.
Journals Online
journals.uplb.edu.ph
Operating side by side with the UPLB RDE
Portal is the UPLB Journals Online website,
aimed to increase the use and eventual
citation of scientific articles authored by our

faculty and researchers. From 01 November

2014 to 30 October 2015, there is a total of
128,167 abstract downloads from the site.
New issues were uploaded for the Journal of
Environmental Science and Management, The
Philippine Entomologist, Museum Publications
in Natural History, and the Journal of Public
Affairs and Development (back issue). The
College of Economics and Management has
also released the first issue of their own journal
called the Journal of Economics, Management
and Agricultural Development.

16

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

4,475 likes
764.90% increase in
people reached
266,613 consumptions

Facebook Insights
The UPLB Research and Extension Facebook
page has been a great avenue to share RDE
news, announcements, and information on
UPLBs technologies and projects. This year,
OVCRE utilized the FB page by posting videos
as well as infographs (Feature Technology of
the Week).
OVCREs Facebook page has reached 4,475
likes as of 31 October 2015 (an additional
1,369 likes since October 2014). From January
to October 2015 alone, it has reached 633,016
people. This is a 764.90% increase compared
to the whole of 2014, when the reach was only
73,190 people. Reach pertains to the number
of people who have seen any content
associated with our page.
There are 266,613 consumptions from
November 2014 to October 2015.
Consumptions pertain to the number of clicks
on any content. There are 41,108 unique
consumers that pertain to the users who
clicked on the content.
Engagement is also an important factor when it
comes to social media. Engagement
includes people who liked the page, posted
on the pages timeline, commented on a post
or shared a post, tagged the page, or even
mentioned the page. A total of 19,913 people
engaged with the page from November 2014
to October 2015.

17

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Twitter Analytics
@UPLBResearch
Since November 2014, there were 613 new
followers making the total number of followers
4,466.
The profile has been visited 6,150 times and
has been mentioned 121 times. We have
tweeted a total of 595 times. This includes
announcements, posters, and live tweets
during events. Events that were live tweeted
were the Biomass Conference, Pagtuklas, and
ConExtS among others. Impressions of tweets
totaled 388.9K.

Other Digital Media Strategies

OVCRE also uploads videos of seminars and
conferences covered so as to provide the
public access to educational information.
Some videos uploaded were those during the
CSC Special Seminars, the Philippine
International Biomass Conference, and the
#HowISeeIt episode which encouraged the
public to share how they see UPLB Research.
Past issues of the RDE Digest are also made
available in the Scribd account.

Information Officers Network

In order to strengthen and complement
information sharing and dissemination between
and among the OVCREs sections and
supervised units, the OVCRE has organized
the Information Officers Network (ION).
Composed of reperesentatives from OVCRE
and its supervised units, they are expected to
write about current events/research

breakthroughs of their respective units in news

and feature formats for print and online
platforms.
The ION has already completed a Training
Series aimed to capacitate members to be
effective information officers. Trainings included
writing news and features, basic photography,
and content management using Joomla!

18

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

Exhibits
To further promote UPLBs products and
technologies, OVCRE took the lead in the
participation to exhibitions and trade fairs.
For this year, UPLB has participated in the
DOSTs National Science and Technology
Week at the SMX, DA-BARs Agriculture and
Fisheries Technology Forum and Product
Exhibition at the SM Mega Trade Hall, LBSCFIs
Wonderama Exhibit at the EB Copeland
Gymnasium, and the exhibit at the Institute of
Plant Breeding for APEC delegates.
OVCRE Integrated R&E Information
Management System (OVCRE IRIMS)
Development of the OVCRE Integrated R&E
Information Management System (OVCRE
IRIMS) started this January 2015. OVCRE

IRIMS aims to integrate all R&E related data

including data on REPS, research project
monitoring, scholarly outputs of UPLB faculty
and REPS, and UPLB public service activities.
The system is envisioned to include four
modules: the REPS Information Management
System (RIMS), the UPLB Publications
Management System (PUBS), the OVCRE
Project Monitoring System (PROMS), and the
Extension Activities Information Management
System (EIMS).
Currently, version 1 of RIMS and PUBS have
been deployed and is now in use. Migration
and clean-up of 2011-2015 data has been
completed in PROMS and deployment to
users for testing is scheduled on the third week
of November 2015. Development of EIMS will
start on January 2016.

Figure 2. IRIMS User Interface

19

Utilization of knowledge and technologies towards inclusive growth

D. Public Service
Conference on Extension Services
(ConExts)

The 2015 UPLB ConExtS was held last 09
October with the theme Nurturing the Tradition
of Distinctive Excellence Through Extension:
UPLBs Contribution for a Globally Competitive
Philippines. This event aimed to present and
honor extension endeavors of the different
colleges and units of the University. The
conference showcased different extension
services and modalities provided by UPLB.
Eight papers were presented in this
Conference.
Public Service Forum

initiated the creation of the UPLB Sugar

Industry Development Program Committee
tasked to lead in extending assistance to the
Philippine Sugar Industry. The interdisciplinary
Committee has presented 17 proposals to the
SRA for funding under and/or outside of SIDA.
Needs Assessment of Surrounding
Communities of UPLB
Initial needs assessments were done in the
municipalities of Calauan, Bay, Alaminos and
Los Baos through key informant interviews,
focused group discussions (FGDs) and survey
questionnaires regarding the current issues
and concerns of the communities. Based on
these needs, capacity-building activities will be
proposed.

Parts I and II of the Public Service Forum laid

out the definition and function for UPLB public
service. Attended by eminent extension
experts, the forum focused on the discussion
of UPLBs brand of public service in the
context of extension initiatives. To continue to
put focus on public service, the forum will be
held annually.

Public Service Monitoring System

The UPLB Sugar Industry Development

Program

UPLB, through the OVCRE, has been identified

by the World Food Programme to be partners
in the facilitation of the Seasonal Livelihood
Programming tool designed for LGUs as a
planning tool for resilience building and
multisectoral interventions. A MOU is currently
being prepared to finalize the partnership.

In response to the request of the Sugar

Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the
implementation of RA 10659 or the Sugarcane
Industry Development Act (SIDA), the OVCRE

In coordination with Pahinungod and Padayon,

the OVCRE will attempt to consolidate
public service and extension works done by
the University.
Seasonal Livelihood Programming

20

Sustaining academic leadership

and excellence
Recognizing REPS welfare and output

temporary status (Figure 3). CA has the most

number of researchers (144) while CFNR has
the most number of extension personnel (11)
(Table 12).

There are 421 REPS which are regular by

employment status, as of October 2015. Out
of the 421 REPS, 326 are researchers, 52 are
extension personnel, and 43 are professional
staff (Table 11).

More than 40% of REPS are aged 50 years old

and above, while 20% fall under 20-30 years of
age. REPS from the age group 31-40 and
41-50 comprise the remaining 34% (Figure 4).

In terms of appointment status, 229 REPS

have permanent status, while 192 have
177

Permanent

149

Temporary

28

24

24

19

Figure 3. Total Number of REPS by REPS Sector and Appointment Status as of Oct 2015

21

Sustaining academic leadership and excellence

Table 11. Number of REPS by Designation, Rank, and Appointment Status as of

Oct 2015
DESIGNATION

Research Sector

University Research
Associate

University Researcher

Scientist

RANK

SG

PERMANENT TEMPORARY

TOTAL

12

48

49

II

14

27

28

55

16

26

61

87

II

18

66

12

78

III

20

34

34

IV

22

24

26

15

15

II

27

12

II

14

Extension Sector
University Extension
Associate

University Extension
Specialist

16

13

II

18

12

20

III

20

IV

22

24

11

II

15

III

18

IV

22

13

13

17

II

15

III

18

IV

22

24

16

II

18

III

20

IV

22

24

Professional Services Sector

Development Management
Officer

College Librarian

Guidance Services
Specialist

TOTAL

1
2

3
0

0
1

0
229

192

421

22

Sustaining academic leadership and excellence

Table 12. Number of REPS by College/Unit, Designation, and Appointment Status
as of Oct 2015.
COLLEGE/
UNIT
CA
CAS
CDC
CEAT
CEM
CFNR
CHE
CPAf
CVM
SESAM
OC
OC Main
OAR
OIL
OPR
OVCAA
OVCAA Main
ILC
LRC
OSA
Univ Lib
OVCCA
OVCCA Main
BAO
GENDER
OVCPD
OVPCD Main
LGMO
OVCRE
OVCRE Main
BIOTECH
CTTE
MNH
Pahinungod
TOTAL

DESIGNATION

RESEARCH
URA

UR

29
9
1
12
8
7
3
2

EXTENSION
SUBTOTAL

SCI

13
1
6

144
14
1
6
3
32
8
20
4
8

0
0
0
5

2
0
1
0
2

104
5
1
5
3
19

11

2
1

1
0
3

1
1

1
1

8
8
1
1
2
104

8
33

5
206

16

16
45
1
6
2
326

UEA

SUBTOTAL

UES

1
1
2

2
3

7
1
3
1
9
1

1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1

8
1
3
3
1
11
4
0
0
1

DMO

CL

GSS

1
14

GRAND
SUBTOTAL
TOTAL

1
0
0
2
1
9
0
1
3
0

153
15
4
11
5
52
12
21
7
9

1
2
1
2

0
0
0
0

1
2
1
7

1
1
1
1
0

0
0
0
7
15

3
1
2
8
17

0
1
0

2
1
3

0
0

1
1

1
1
1
0
0
43

20
48
3
8
3
421

1
0
0

2
1
8
1
3

15

0
0
3
2
1
1
1
38

APPT STATUS

PROF SERVICES

3
2
1
2
1
52

1
1

32

Figure 4. Distribution of REPS by Age Group

23

PERM

102
1
5
3
29
6
13
5
7

1
1
2
1
6
12

1
2
29
2
1
229

TEMP

GRAND
TOTAL

51
14
4
6
2
23
6
8
2
2

153
15
4
11
5
52
12
21
7
9

1
1
1
6

1
2
1
7

1
2
2
5

3
1
2
8
17

2
1
3

2
1
3

1
1

18
19
3
6
2
192

20
48
3
8
3
421

Sustaining academic leadership and excellence

Dialogues on Tenure and Workload and
Policy Review and Outputs
A series of dialogues and mini-writeshops were
held on the discussion of tenure, workload and
workload preparation, and review of policies
and outputs applicable to REPS. Consultations
were also conducted for the REPS Guidelines
on Promotion.
In addition, a proposed Interim Guideline for
tenure was prepared for the endorsement by
the OC to the Office of the President. Also, an
AdHoc Committee will be tasked to review the
functions of UREC and the establishment of
UP REPS Council.

Suspension of the Up or Out Policy

UPLB, through OVCRE, submitted a letter to
the BOR requesting for the continued
suspension of the UPLB Up or Out Policy for
REPS dated 14 November 2014. It was approved by the Board of Regents on their 1303rd
Meeting last 26 November 2014.
Stated in the summary is the Approval of the
Board of Regents of the Continued
Suspension of the Implementation of the UPLB
Policy on the Renewal of Appointment and
Tenure of Research, Extension and
Professional Staff (REPS) until such Policy is
revised.

24

Creation of an enabling environment

for creativity and innovation
Interdisciplinary Studies Centers

UPLB Technology Hub

Program initiatives, organizational structures,

plans and programs of the 18 Interdisciplinary
Studies Centers were consolidated and
assessed as we continue to make our current
RDE Program more holistic, more inclusive and
more responsive to the needs of society.

In order to increase the number of researches

of UPLB, it is vital to create a suitable
environment to stimulate the minds of the
researcherss through the acquisition of a new
infrastructure that will serve as a Technology
and Products Display Center and Science and
Technology Hub.

To date, UPLB seeks the BORs approval for

four of the IdSCs to become virtual centers.
These Centers are Interdisciplinary Studies
Center on Food Security (ISCFS), Climate Risk
Studies Center (CRSC), Integrated Natural
Resources and Environment Management
Center (INREM), and the Interdisciplinary
Biofuels Research Studies Center (IBRSC).
These Centers have conducted national and
international conferences on food security,
climate change adaptation, natural resource
management, and biofuels and are currently
developing and packaging programs for
internal and external funding in support of the
attainment of Philippine development goals.

25

The Hub, a project proposed under the

Institutional Development Grant (IDG) of the
DA-BAR, will serve as repository of UPLB
products and technologies and a venue for the
meeting of the minds, which will give birth to
new and emerging concepts, innovations, and
technologies.
Research Grants
The OVCRE extends support to the
endorsement of project proposals to various
research grants offered by the System (i.e.
ECWRG, EIDR, Balik PhD). OVCRE also
established new linkages with local (i.e. Sugar

Creation of an enabling environment for creativity and innovation

Regulatory Administration) and international
(i.e. USAID STRIDE) funding agencies.
Under the Enhance Creative Work and
Research Grant (ECWRG), OVCRE facilitated
the processing of submitted proposals. To
date, fourteen (14) proposals were evaluated,
endorsed and submitted to the UP System.
Committee involvement
In support to the current initiatives of the
Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development (PCHRD), the national
coordinating body for health research, the
OVCRE proposed the establishment of
standing committees that will address the
health, animal and human ethics research and
development issues.
1. Health Research and Development
Committee (HRDC)
The HRDC will spearhead research and
extension activities pertaining to improvement
of health status, productivity and the quality
of life of the Filipinos. It will also engage in
national and international partnerships and
networks for health research development and

represent UPLB in the Regional HRDC

meetings and forum in support to the National
Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA)
under the Philippine National Health Systems
(PNHS).
2. Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC)
The UPLB IEC shall work on the application to
the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board
(PHREB) to be accredited as an Academic
Institution-based Research Ethics Review
Committee (AI-RERCs). Ultimately, this
AI-RERC that will be established shall ensure
that all biomedical researches in UPLB shall
conform to the protocols of PHREB.
3. Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (IACUC)
In support of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998,
the IACUC will help safeguard the welfare of
animals in UPLB used in scientific procedures.
Further, it will ensure that research protocols
are consistent with sound research design
listed in the Rules and Regulations on the
Conduct of Scientific Procedures Using
Animals, DA AO No 40, 1999.

26

27

Way Forward
Much still needs to be desired for the
attainment of being a globally competitive
graduate and research university. But the
OVCRE fully commits to take on the challenge
towards national development.
We are looking forward to the streamlining of
the various Interdisciplinary Studies Centers
as we identify and focus on UPLBs niches.
We are excited that the TechnoHub project will
commence within the year.
New proposals and programs are also in the
works including the Climate Forecasting
Laboratory and the Life Cycle Assessment
Center.
As OVCRE reiterated on the production of
publications from completed researches, we
are looking ahead to an increase in the number
of IPA Awardees among our faculty and staff.
Moreover, the REPS welfare will continuously
be prioritized as we seek approval of various
guidelines and policies from the BOR.
We are also looking into drafting the OVCRE
Manual of Operations which shall include the
revised Research Manual and Extension
Manual.
We believe that as UPLB comes closer to its
vision, our contributions to scientific
knowledge, research productivity and
technology generation becomes more and
more true to the UP tradition of honor and
excellence and to its mandate as a national
university - serving its country and its people.

28

29

30

31

32

REX B. DEMAFELIS
Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension
DR. SUSAN MAY F. CALUMPANG
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension
DR. JEWEL A. CAPUNITAN
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Institutional Research Linkages