VP Morales wins 3rd Best Paper Award in Southern Luzon research forum

Dr. Minerva I. Morales, Vice President for Research, Extension and Production (REP) of the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) garnered the 3rd Best Paper Award in the 9th Southern Luzon Zonal Research and Development Review on October 24, 2005 at Multi-Media Center, Javier Hall, University of Batangas.

VP Morales’ study on the indigenous knowledge system of fishers in Parongpong Island, Catanduanes, bested 25 other researches in the zonal paper presentation sponsored by Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development, UP Los Baños and the Southern Luzon Zonal Center for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development.

The winning research underscores the fishers’ accumulated nuggets of wisdom from Catanduanes, specifically in the Parongpong Island. Fishing practices and indigenous knowledge gained from personal experiences of fishers were documented in this study that adopted descriptive ethnographic research design.

The study, which serves as a good anchorage of community-based development efforts on fisheries management, documented indigenous technique of determining a rich fishing ground which is the squala method. In the documentation, it was buttressed that stars serve as reliable guide in locating a rich fishing ground. The position of the crest of waves also served as dependable guide of the fishers for fishing venture. The study also ascertained that observation of fish behavior, atmospheric and sea condition, and the physical consequences to the fishers, influenced the schedule of fishing of the islanders.

A total of 27 researchers coming from fisheries/marine-based research institutes of UP Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau, Partido State University, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Bicol University, University of Batangas, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Fisheries Development Center, University of Sto. Tomas, UP Los Baños, Western Philippine University, and National Fisheries Biological Center, participated in the paper presentation.

Dr. Morales, who holds the academic rank of Professor I, was formerly the Director of Research and Development Services Center of the CSC. A zealous R & D specialist, she has authored numerous studies in her field of specialization. She has likewise obtained and spearheaded externally funded CSC research projects with socio-economic impacts.