First Gen VP Shirley Cruz and DOST-PCAARRD executive director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora (2nd and 3rd from right) with First Gen CSR senior manager Janice Dugan and DOSTPCAARRD deputy executive director Dr. Melvin CarlosFirst Gen Corporation and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have agreed to collaborate on projects and activities related to agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) through a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center in Los Baños, Laguna on Feb. 3, 2023.

First Gen vice president Shirley Cruz and DOSTPCAARRD executive director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora signed the agreement. Also in attendance were First Gen CSR senior manager Janice Dugan and DOSTPCAARRD deputy executive director Dr. Melvin Carlos.
The partnership will focus on developing and utilizing technologies related to the AANR sector that will benefit First Gen’s host communities and other mutually identified communities.
Cruz said First Gen is taking urgent action towards a decarbonized world and regenerative future where e v e r y o n e can thrive and prosper, thus the partnership with DOSTPCAARRD.
“We are fortunate to have this opportunity to collaborate with the DOST-PCAARRD. We know that through this partnership, we will be able to provide opportunities for the farmers and fisherfolk in First Gen’s host communities. The technologies and innovation from your [DOST-PCAARRD] team will be instrumental for our communities to achieve productivity and economic growth,” she stressed.
Ebora said the public-private partnership is promising: “[This] is just the start of DOST-PCAARRD and First Gen’s collaborative initiative to enhance, develop and utilize technologies related to agriaqua harvest and postharvest systems in First Gen’s host communities.
We recognize the vast potential of the public-private partnership to unlock more benefits for communities and the AANR sector.”
(Story/Photos by:Dianne Datu)