KCAST - Research, Development and Extension Office

28/10/2026

27/10/2026

𝐊𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST), under the development agenda of Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol, strengthened its commitment to accessible and inclusive education through the turnover of the Project BOOKS Reading Center and the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Kapatagan Integrated School on October 26, 2026, at Kapatagan Integrated School, Sitio Kapatagan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. The activity formalized the partnership between KCAST and the school to support learners by providing a conducive reading space and access to learning resources that nurture literacy, knowledge, and educational development.

The program was attended by key officials and representatives, including Dr. Rodrigo C. Licayan, Jr., DBA, KCAST College President; Dr. Ronel Geraldizo Dagohoy, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jandy D. Daga-as, Project Leader; Ms. Carolyn T. Collado, Head Teacher IV of Kapatagan Integrated School; Former Kapalong Mayor Maria Theresa R. Timbol, Ms. Sandra J. Elizaga, KULEA President and other community and LGU officials, whose continued support for community development and education has helped strengthen initiatives that bring learning opportunities closer to underserved communities.

KCAST also extends its heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors and stakeholders whose contributions helped make the reading center possible, particularly Ms. Ethel Jane P. Labud, LPT, MBA; Ms. Irish B. Malnegro; the Kapalong United Local Employees Association (KULEA); Ms. Sandra J. Elizaga; former Mayor Maria Theresa R. Timbol; and Mrs. Artenita P. Dante. Their generosity and commitment to education demonstrate the power of collective action in expanding opportunities for learners. Special recognition is extended to the donors who supported the provision of essential furniture and learning resources, helping transform the reading center into a more welcoming and functional space for children.

Further enhancing the center’s learning resources is DOST STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station), which provides access to science and technology information and educational references. Its availability in the reading center opens additional opportunities for learners and teachers to explore scientific knowledge, strengthen information literacy, and develop a greater appreciation for science, technology, and innovation.

More than a physical facility, the Project BOOKS Reading Center represents a shared investment in children's future. Through the partnership of KCAST, Kapatagan Integrated School, government and community stakeholders, and generous individuals, the initiative seeks to cultivate a lasting culture of reading, improve access to knowledge, and empower learners through education. Together, we continue to build not only a place for reading, but also a foundation for lifelong learning and brighter possibilities for the children of Kapalong.

13/10/2026

13/10/2026

08/10/2026

𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐎 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 | 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Under the development agenda of Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol, the Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST) continued the implementation of Project BOOKS at Kapatagan Integrated School, Sitio Kapatagan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. As part of the ongoing development of the school’s reading center, librarians from the Learning and Information Resource Center (LIRC) of KCAST assisted in the proper classification, organization, and preparation of learning resources to ensure that the books and other materials are accessible and appropriately arranged for learners and teachers.

Project BOOKS seeks to establish a conducive and learner-centered reading space equipped with appropriate learning materials and essential facilities that can support reading, learning, and educational development. The project is made possible through the generosity of individuals and partners who have donated books and other learning resources. KCAST likewise extends its sincere appreciation to Ms. Ethel Jane Labud, MBA, and Ms. Irish B. Malnegro for their generous support through the provision of chairs and tables for the reading center. More than creating a physical space, Project BOOKS seeks to nurture a culture of reading, expand access to knowledge, and empower children through education—one book, one learner, and one opportunity at a time.

07/10/2026

𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 | 𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐄 𝟐, 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 𝟏 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)

𝙋𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙣: 𝗞𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 proudly presents 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟮, 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝟭 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲), featuring ten scholarly studies that demonstrate the breadth, relevance, and multidisciplinary character of research in the natural and cultural sciences. As the official peer-reviewed annual journal of the Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology (KCAST), 𝘗𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯—an Ata-Manobo term meaning “𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻”—continues its commitment to advancing research that informs practice, supports innovation, strengthens communities, and contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.

This issue brings together research on sustainable agriculture and plant growth, disaster risk reduction and community resilience, youth electoral participation, work readiness, livestock production, entrepreneurship, virtual work, cacao production, youth engagement in local governance, and gender and social attitudes. These contributions reflect the value of contextualized and evidence-based scholarship in responding to contemporary challenges faced by communities and institutions.

The contributing institutions represented in this issue include:
- 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗕𝗮ñ𝗼𝘀 (𝗨𝗣𝗟𝗕)
- 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗣𝗦𝗔𝗨)
- 𝗞𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗞𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧)
- 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 (𝗗𝗡𝗦𝗖)
- 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗-𝗠𝗥𝗜 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗜𝗻𝗰. (𝗖𝗠𝗗𝗜)

The issue reflects a growing culture of research collaboration across institutions and disciplines, bringing together scholars and practitioners whose work contributes to knowledge generation and meaningful transformation.

𝟭. 𝗦𝗬𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗧 (𝗦𝗪𝗔) 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗨𝗬𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗢 (𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗻.) 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
NORGEE B. PARREÑO and MENRADO T. GATAN
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/1

𝟮. 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘
MA. THERESA D. BABALCON, LYKKA JANE F. PROCURATO,
and ARIEL A. ALAMBAN
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/2

𝟯. 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗚𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
FLORDELEZ M. SUERTE, HERTELYN M. ARROSAS, TESSA LONIKA S. INOJALES, KEANNE VIEALY C. HARO and LIBH ANTHONY L. LIMAMA
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/3

𝟰. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗙𝗧 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦
RODELINE J. VISTAL, MARY GRACE C. COLITA and CHRISTINE JOY E. ECHAVEZ
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/4

𝟱. 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗠𝗞 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
BERTHYLYN B. EDRADA and RUEL B. TOREDEZ
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/5

𝟲. 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗦 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗠𝗗𝗜
LOVELY JANE FERNANDEZ, ANNIE GLECE V. DELA TORRE, ERICA JOY N. ESMO-AN, KATHY LEEN M. NEVAL, RICARDO R. ONGOB, JR. and MARK GIL SABAY
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/6

𝟳. 𝗔 𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬 𝗢𝗡 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘
KLINE MARIE T. DUSAL, EUNIZ MICHAILA B. DAPITON and GRACE P. GANIERA
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/7

𝟴. 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢 𝗞𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗡, 𝗚𝗨𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗡, 𝗞𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚
MILTON JOHN O. PUPA and RUEL B. TOREDEZ
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/8

𝟵. 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗢 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬
MIRRIAM U. PETUA, IAN DAVE T. REMILLA, REINA R. SAMBALOD, JENEVA D. SESNORIO and LIBH ANTHONY L. LIMAMA
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/9

𝟭𝟬. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘, 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗦𝗠, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗘-𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗠 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦: 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗦
DARLENE DARAUG, BRITNEY GLYCINNE YSSABELLE C. EGOT, JOHN CLIFORD L. LAMOSTE and JOANAROS P. FAHIT
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/article/view/10

Full Issue:
https://journal.kcast.edu.ph/index.php/PKJNCS/issue/view/2

Congratulations to all authors, reviewers, editorial board members, and contributors who made Volume 2, Issue 1 possible. May 𝘗𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯 continue to serve as a platform where research becomes knowledge, knowledge becomes action, and action becomes transformation.

𝙋𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙣: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲.

28/09/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐰, 𝐊𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!

We proudly congratulate 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘆𝗻 𝗚. 𝗖𝘂𝗯𝗶𝗼, 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗟, BSEd English Coordinator/Lead Author; 𝗥𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗠. 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲, 𝗠𝗣𝗔, CSODC Director/Co-author; 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗠. 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮, 𝗝𝗿., KCAST DRRMU Head/Co-author; and 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗵𝗼𝗻 𝗖. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗼, 𝗠𝗣𝗔, Former Instructor/Co-author, for their successful publication in the Gender Research and Policy Journal, Volume 1, Issue 2, 2025, pp. 58–68. Their article, “𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧-𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙡 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨,” examines the accommodation preferences of higher education students from a gender-responsive perspective. The study provides evidence that may support the development of inclusive, responsive, and gender-sensitive accommodation policies and practices in higher education institutions.

The Gender Research and Policy Journal is indexed and abstracted in the Asian Science Citation Index (ASCI) and Philippine E-Journals (PEJ), and is registered through Crossref, further providing scholarly visibility and discoverability for published research.

This publication reflects KCAST's continuing commitment to research excellence, gender-responsive scholarship, and evidence-based development. It also highlights the contribution of KCAST researchers to broader conversations on gender equality, inclusive education, and student welfare.

May this achievement inspire more faculty and researchers to pursue meaningful scholarship that contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.

To access the article, click this link:
https://doi.org/10.63346/RGANXI/ZOUB7057

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

𝐊𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐖

The Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST) participated in the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Davao del Norte, held from September 22–24, 2026, at the Tagum City Hall Atrium, in conjunction with the Tagum Startup Week. The three-day celebration, organized by the Department of Science and Technology–Davao del Norte Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST-PSTO), carried the national theme, “Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” with the sub-theme “Science, Technology, and Digital Innovation Driving Food Security, Sustainable Energy, and National Resilience.” The event brought together government institutions, academic organizations, researchers, innovators, and other stakeholders to showcase science, technology, and innovation initiatives.

As one of the participating exhibitors, KCAST featured its research, publication, and extension initiatives through an interactive booth, highlighting the College’s work on the exploration of the Pantaron Mountain Range, the Dabaonon Research and Development Regional Congress, Pamulingan KCAST Journal, and various community extension programs and development initiatives. The exhibit provided an avenue to communicate KCAST’s research outputs, local knowledge, community-based innovations, and development interventions to visitors and fellow STI stakeholders. The participation also underscored the role of higher education institutions in translating research and innovation into initiatives that respond to local and community needs.

A significant highlight of the celebration was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and turnover of computer sets for the establishment of STARBOOKS facilities under the Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) Program. Through the partnership between KCAST and DOST, six computer units were turned over for the installation of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS) in selected educational institutions in Davao del Norte. The identified beneficiary schools are Valentin D. Daquio Integrated School, Don Manuel A. Javellana Memorial National High School, Tagum City National High School, La Filipina National High School, Samal National High School, and Sawata National High School. The facilities are intended to provide learners and educators with greater access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) information and learning resources.

KCAST’s participation in the 2026 RSTW reflects its continuing commitment to research, innovation, knowledge accessibility, and community development. More than showcasing institutional accomplishments, the engagement demonstrates how partnerships among academe, government, and communities can create opportunities for knowledge sharing, digital access, scientific learning, and sustainable development. Through initiatives such as the KCAST research and extension programs and the STARBOOKS partnership, KCAST continues to bring science, technology, research, and innovation closer to the communities it serves.

24/09/2026