Speaking at a University of the Philippines campus in Mindanao, Elena Pernia stressed the need to combat malnutrition, which “impacts negatively on academic performance, in particular”.
The dean of studies pointed out that improvements in knowledge were “so necessary to lift the country to a medium, and hopefully high economy”, which would not happen if students lack sufficient access to food.
Speaking at a sustainable development forum in Davao, Pernia’s keynote preceded demonstrations of research projects being carried out by faculty members to boost food security.
One of these, by food scientist Juma Novie Alviola, looked into the use of sago as a substitute for rice and wheat flours through its enriched nutritional value.
Another paper, by Emma Ruth Bayogan, a plant scientist, considered inexpensive methods to preserve pummelo fruit’s quality under ambient conditions by using 1-Methylcyclopropene and Chitosan.
Marine biologist Cleto Nañola, meanwhile, described his research into how certain species of reef fishes collected from Pujada Bay, Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf in the Philippines exhibited “morphological differentiations” due to ecological adaptations, despite being separated only by 100km of seawater.
According to Pernia, these three research projects shared a common tread of setting out to “improve food security, eradicate hunger for the short-term, as well as well as in a sustainable manner for the longer term.”