Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), through the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension, the Research Development and Evaluation Center, and the Dissemination, Publication and Citation Monitoring Unit, conducted the 2026 Agency In-House Review (AIHR) on June 11, 2026, at the WMSU Social Hall and the College of Science and Mathematics Conference Room.
The annual activity served as an institutional platform for the presentation and evaluation of research outputs, reinforcing WMSUโs commitment to advancing scholarly productivity and evidence-based contributions to development. A total of 38 research papers were presented across various disciplines, reflecting the universityโs sustained efforts in strengthening its research culture.
The review was assessed by a panel of esteemed experts from the academe and government research institutions, whose collective expertise provided critical and constructive evaluation of the research presentations, ensuring alignment with academic standards and development priorities.
For the Science & Technology and Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (S&T and AANR) cluster, the evaluators included Director Noel A. Catibog of the DOST-PCAARRD; Assistant Regional Director Ricardo J. Apolinario III of the DOST Region IX; Dr. Maila V. Pan, OIC Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology; and Dr. Rolando P. Malalay, Vice President for Research Development and Extension of the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University.
For the Social Science cluster, the panel consisted of Dr. Ailyn Sabdilon-Absara, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Dr. Pilar S. Caparas of the Western Mindanao State University; and Dr. Robert V. Panaguiton, also from WMSU.
The following studies were recognized for their outstanding contributions:
Best Paper Award โ Social Science Undergraduate Category
1st Place: Riza Joy V. Malinas (ESU Malangas)โ โBangsamoro MNLF Women at the Frontlines of Peaceโ
2nd Place: Salvin M. Baid (ESU Ipil)โ โNarratives and Currents: Mapping Themes and Motifs on Sibugaynon Identity from the River Lores of Sibugay Riverโ
3rd Place: Mick Daniel G. Alitao (ESU Malangas) โ โCommunity-Based Security, Safety Protocols and Barangay Event Management in Zamboanga Sibugayโ
Best Paper Award โ Social Science Professional/Graduate Category
1st Place: Dr. Emerissa Jane L. Tendero (College of Public Administration and Development Studies) โ โStrengthening Public Health Financing Governance: Analyzing Catastrophic Health Expenditure for Policy Development in Zamboanga Cityโ
2nd Place: Dr. Rodel R. Marquez (College of Public Administration and Development Studies) โ โTransforming Entrepreneurship through E-Governance: Assessing Zamboanga Cityโs Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (E-BOSS)โ
3rd Place: Dr. Rica Rose Rubio (College of Nursing) โ โMental Health Status and Utilization of Mental Health Services among College Students: Towards a Comprehensive Support System for Future Generationsโ
Best Paper Award โ S&T and AANR Undergraduate Category
1st Place: John Christian S. Pulay (College of Science and Mathematics) โ โAngiogenesis and Wound Healing Potential of Begonia beringii Leaf Extract through CAM Assay and Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFn) Cell Lineโ
2nd Place: Shan Khyle D. Estrada (College of Computing Studies) โ โDeep Learning-Based Prediction of Refractive Errors in Human Eyes Using Photorefraction Imagesโ
3rd Place: Sunshine L. Arquiza (College of Science and Mathematics) โ โAntioxidant Activity and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Ophiorrhiza oblongifolia (de Candolle, 1830) Leaf Extract against HepG2 Liver Cancer Cell Linesโ
Best Paper Award โ S&T and AANR Research Cluster (Professional/Graduate Category)
1st Place: Mr. Aldison M. Asdain (College of Science and Mathematics) โ โTriclique Polynomials and Triqlique Neighborhood Polynomials of Graphs: Unveiling Structural Properties and Potential Applicationsโ
2nd Place: Mr. Dennis Marcelino (College of Science and Mathematics)โ โComprehensive Analysis on the Coconut and Coconut Product Sector in Zamboanga City and Isabela Cityโ
3rd Place: Blessy Shine Bucoy (College of Agriculture)โ โDevelopment of Cacao Pod Husk Briquette and Comparative Analysis with Coconut Husk and Bamboo Briquettes as Biomass Fuelโ
Best Paper Award โ S&T and AANR Development Cluster (Professional/Graduate Category)
1st Place: Ms. Dionne Lara Herwig (College of Science and Mathematics) โ โRegional Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) in Western Mindanao through the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Programโ
2nd Place: Mr. Arkin Garon Sarmiento (College of Science and Mathematics) โ โNICER Native Chicken R&D Center โ Phase IIโ
3rd Place: Engr. Janueber Garcia (College of Engineering) โ โDevelopment of a Sustainable Raised Bed Frame from Recycled PET Bottles: Enhancing Urban Agriculture and Mitigating Plastic Wasteโ
The 2026 AIHR highlighted WMSUโs continuing commitment to improving its research work through careful review and meaningful academic discussion. The studies presented reflected the universityโs steady effort to produce research that responds to local needs and key development concerns.
Through activities like the Agency In-House Review, WMSU continues to support quality research by ensuring that studies are properly evaluated, refined, and aligned with the universityโs goals and the needs of the community.
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