DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Leah J. Buendia, delivers the keynote message at the IFSS 2025 opening.
The International Forum on Sustainability Science (IFSS) 2025 officially opened on 17 September 2025 at the Negros Residences, Bacolod City. Organized by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Department of Science and Technology – Negros Island Region (DOST-NIR), the third of of the international forum brought together leaders from government, academe, industry, and civil society to advance pathways for food sustainability, energy resilience, and regenerative futures.
In her keynote message, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Leah J. Buendia affirmed the agency’s strong commitment to food sustainability, encouraging the audience that “the future of food is not written yet, it is ours to design.” Messages of support followed from Dr. Naomi Cosette Luis (OIC-ARD for Technical Operations, DOST–Negros Island Region), Dr. Eric A. Malo-oy (Campus Director, TUP Visayas, representing President Reynaldo Ramos), Dr. Ryan Mark S. Molina (President, STI West Negros University), Engr. Bernard Bailey R. Del Castillo (CTO and COO, Negros Power, representing President and CEO Roel Z. Castro), and Dr. Mae Ferrer-Llamas (Head, Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions, Bacolod City, representing Mayor Greg Gasataya).
UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano, also President of the Philippine Satoyama Landscapes and Satoumi Seascapes Network, formally declared the forum open, noting that “transforming our food systems is not just an academic concern—it is an urgent, lived reality that affects communities, economies, and cultures.” Engr. Bernard Bailey R. Del Castillo delivered the keynote address, sharing how Negros Power integrates sustainability into energy operations for cleaner and more resilient service.
Throughout the two days, the forum featured four plenary, four panel, and six parallel sessions. Plenary speakers included:
- Dr. Yong-Chao Su (Kaohsiung Medical University) on Regeneration as the New Norm;
- Ms. Katherine C. Viñegas (GIZ GmbH) on Food System Resilience in a BANI World;
- Ms. Abigail E. Marcos (Philippine Accreditation Bureau) on Manufacturing Challenges and Pathways for Sustainable Food Systems; and
- Dr. Naomi Cosette R. Luis (DOST–NIR) on Sustainability Science: Urgent Global and Local Challenges.
Panel and parallel sessions covered themes such as nutrition and food systems, agri-food landscapes, digital tools, bio-innovation, natural products for wellness, sustainable food forests, and local food policy. Moderators included students of the UPOU Doctor of Sustainability program, Mr. Ariestelo Asilo, Dr. Jake Lauren Mercado, Prof. May Olorga, Mr. Rolando Lazo, Dr. Renith Guanzon, Dr. Melinda Sisles, Ms. Shallel Galope-Billones, Dr. Cherry Mae P. Epacta, Dr. Ferdinand Maquito, and Dr. Salvador Sigaya, Jr..
The forum concluded with recognition of outstanding research and sustainability efforts:
Ms. Arwen Jover accepts the certificate and cash prize for the Best Paper Award won by her team.
- Best Paper Award: “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development” by Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles.
- 2nd Best Paper Award: “Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries” by Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford.
- 3rd Best Paper Award: “Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros” by Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz.
- Best Poster Award: “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers” by Gregorio Crisostomo.
- Best Sustainable Showcase Award (SDG Fair): Subay Marketing.
In delivering the synthesis, Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan (Chair, IFSS 2025 Program Committee) emphasized the call to act together for justice, regeneration, and a sustainable future. Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug (Provincial Director, DOST–NIR) closed the event with the hope that the seeds of collaboration planted at IFSS 2025 will “grow, flourish, and bear fruit for generations to come.”
Representatives from UPOU, DOST–NIR and TUP Visayas sign a Memorandum of Agreement during IFSS 2025.
IFSS 2025 also served as an opportunity to ceremonially seal the partnerships among institutions that worked together to advocate for sustainability. Memoranda of agreements signed were between: (1) UPOU and Negros Power; (2) UPOU, DOST–NIR and STI West Negros University, and (3)UPOU, DOST–NIR and TUP Visayas. These partnerships aim to enhance academe-industry-government collaboration in food systems transformation and energy sector innovation.
The SDG Fair and Exhibit opens at the Ayala Malls Capitol Area, adjacent Negros Residences, the IFSS 2025 venue.
IFSS 2025 included the SDG Fair and Exhibit, which ran from 17-19 September 2025 at the Ayala Mall Capitol Area, Bacolod City. The SDG Fair and Exhibit, officially opened by UPOU, Negros Power, Bacolod City LGU, and DOST–NIR, showcased programs, technologies, and services aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The 3ZERO Club Philippine Network launched a symbolic “Sustainable Tree” to encourage collective sustainability commitments.
Written by Marinela Hernandez and Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by Primo G. Garcia | Photos by Anthea Fay Peredo
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