Researchers, innovators, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, government agencies, and technology advocates converged at SM City Iloilo for the Western Visayas Agri-Aqua Innovation and Venture Summit 2026, a regional innovation platform that highlighted research-based technologies with strong commercialization potential.
Organized and sponsored by University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and the RAISE Program Western Visayas, in collaboration with SM City Iloilo, the summit carried the theme, “Ani, Alon, at Likas Yaman: Advancing Western Visayas Industries through R&D and Innovation.” The event aimed to strengthen partnerships among academia, industry, and government while accelerating the commercialization of research and innovation across Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region.
The summit featured technology pitching sessions, technology poster and booth exhibits, industry and investor networking, and technology matching activities, providing participants with opportunities to explore technologies for licensing, adoption, investment, and collaborative development.
The program formally opened with an opening message from Capiz State University (CapSU) President Dr. Efren L. Linan, delivered by Mr. French A. Dampog, Director of the Intellectual Property Management Office. This was followed by a welcome message from University of the Philippines Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano, delivered by Prof. Reynold D. Tan, Acting Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development and Director of the UPV Technology Transfer and Business Development Office. The event concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Mark Glenn Villamor, Project Leader of the RAISE Western Visayas Regional Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI).
The summit also featured keynote addresses from Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI, and Mr. Reynro T. Herrera, owner of Healthy Bite Food Processing, who shared insights on innovation-driven regional development, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.
A panel discussion brought together experts from government, academia, and industry, including Mr. Noel Catibog of DOST-PCAARRD’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD), Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, Engr. Monalyn L. Oloroso of the Machinery and Agricultural Technology Engineering Center (MATEC), Prof. Reynold D. Tan, and Engr. Fulbert C. Woo, Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Western Visayas. The discussion focused on strengthening innovation ecosystems, industry-academe-government collaboration, and strategies for accelerating technology transfer and commercialization.
Research innovations were evaluated by distinguished panels of judges from government, industry, business, and technology sectors. The Technology Poster Exhibit was assessed by Ms. Florenda Octoberiana C. Abian of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo, Ms. Ma. Luisa C. Segovia, President of the Iloilo Business Club, Inc., and Mr. Ricardo Palmares III, PFT, proprietor of Midway Fresh Market and Restaurant. Meanwhile, the Technology Pitching Competition and Booth Exhibits were evaluated by Mr. Noel Catibog, Mr. Rex Marlo Varona, Engr. Fulbert C. Woo, Engr. Flerida A. Demamay, and Mr. Jessraf Palmares, whose expertise in technology transfer, agriculture, business, innovation, and information technology ensured a comprehensive evaluation of the participating technologies.
The event was attended by industry partners and stakeholders, including the Leonking Organic Farmers Producers Cooperative; entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs from the Migrants Coordinating Group–Western Visayas; the Dumangas OFW Federation; the Federation of OFWs–Banate; the Federation of OFW Family Circle Sibalom Inc.; the Millan OFW Association; the OFW Negros Occidental Federation Inc. (ONOFI) and its chapters in Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Pontevedra; the Roma Chapter OFWs and Families Association; the San Joaquin Federation OFW; and the Victorias City OFW Federation.
Government and business support organizations also participated in the event, particularly the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Offices (LEDIPOs) of the municipalities and the Province of Iloilo, together with representatives from the Office of the Vice Governor of Iloilo, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening regional innovation and enterprise development.
By bringing together innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry partners under one platform, the Western Visayas Agri-Aqua Innovation and Venture Summit 2026 reinforced the region’s commitment to transforming research outputs into market-ready technologies, fostering strategic collaborations, and advancing sustainable economic growth through science, technology, and innovation.
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