The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Batac CITY—Rare collections of bonsai plants, high-quality furniture products, creative crafts and souvenir items including processed food products among others are on display on January 18, 2018 at the Garden show and trade fair held at the open grounds of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Batac City campus. With a theme, “Transforming Concepts into Products,” the month-long exhibit participated by public and private stakeholders of MMSU is one of the highlights of the university as it commemorates its 40 th foundation anniversary. As a premiere university in the country, MMSU president Shirley Agrupis took the lead in empowering the lives of Ilocanos through research innovations and knowledge-driven global economy. Over the years, residents of Ilocos Norte are grateful for having the university as it opened doors of opportunities for them not only in achieving quality education but also on research and exte

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Batac CITY—The Dept. of Energy (DOE) cited Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) here among the top 10 most energy-efficient in the whole country. The only university in this year’s Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Award, MMSU saved about PHP3.1 million in energy bills, equivalent to 412,243 kilowatt hours in 2016. Of the 213 private and public institutions recognized this year, MMSU ranks 6 th in the Top 10 most energy-efficient government agencies nationwide, Engr. Rigor Gabur, Chief of the Electrical and Electronics Division of MMSU said. In recognition of the university’s energy saving initiatives, MMSU president Shirley C. Agrupis, along with Engr. Romeo R. Duldulao, Physical Plant and General Services Division director and Mr. Gabur, chief of MMSU’s Electrical and Electronics Services received the award in Pasay City on December 7, 2017. Mr. Gabur said MMSU is continuously implementing energy saving measures. DO

Noel Rosales Argana, regional business manager of Allianz PNB Life, lectures on financial literacy during the lecture series of the Graduate School Supreme Student Council (GSSSC) of the Mariano Marcos State University. As part of its year-long lecture series, the Graduate School Supreme Student Council (GSSSC) of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) held a financial literacy seminar on November 26 at the MMSU Graduate School Audio–Visual Room. The main speaker for the seminar was Mr. Noel Rosales Argana, regional business manager of Allianz PNB Life, one of the major life insurers in the Philippines. Mr. Argana’s talk focused on personal finance management and giving very useful tips on saving and handling money, investing and insurance. “The richer people are those who took more risk,” he said. Students of MMSU Graduate School, student leaders of AMA Laoag, members of the Sirib Ilocano Kabataan Association (SIKA) and employees of the city government of L

  Dr. Shirley Agrupis, MMSU President leads the farmers' field day in Batac City. ( MMSU Research Directorate) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter BATAC CITY—The state-run Mariano Marcos State University is encouraging farmers to plant new climate resilient rice varieties to increase their productivity. This planting season, MMSU in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) set up a 1,600-square meter demo farm showcasing its 14 varieties that are resilient to prolonged drought or wet season. “But no matter how good the variety is or no matter how advance the technology to improve rice productivity in the country, it is nothing without your heart in managing the rice field. Like a person, you should talk to your plants,” MMSU president Dr. Shirley Agrupis said during a farmer’s field day held at the demonstration site. Dubbed as the “President’s farm”, the program featuring climate resilient crops hopes to inspire farmers to a