UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho Jr. (2nd from left, seated) and First Gen vice president Shirley Cruz (3rd from left, seated) sign the MOA establishing the landmark partnership. UPLB Technology Transfer and Business Development Office director Emil John Cabrera (leftmost, seated) and First Gen senior manager Janice Dugan (rightmost, seated) serve as witnesses to the MOA signing. Also in photo are other officials and employees of both UPLB and First GenFirst Gen Corporation and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have reached a landmark partnership designed to drive innovation and regeneration through a collaboration promoting research, technology and community resilience projects.

Top officials of First Gen and UPLB established the framework of their commitment by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the UPLB campus in Laguna on Jan. 15, 2025.

Under the MOA, both parties have agreed to collaborate and support the planning and implementation of a wide range of initiatives, which will include research and development projects, knowledge sharing and technology transfer activities, training and educational programs and other mutually agreed-upon activities.

The MOA combines UPLB’s expertise in agriculture and research with First Gen’s leadership in clean energy to benefit local communities and contribute to global sustainability.

The MOA was signed by UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho Jr. and First Gen vice president Shirley Cruz, with First Gen senior manager Janice Dugan and UPLB Technology Transfer and Business Development Office director Emil John Cabrera serving as witnesses.

“This partnership is important because it opens a lot of doors of opportunity. It’s a platform for us to work together. We are looking forward to partnering with First Gen to help us achieve the vision of a future-proof and future-ready UPLB,” Camacho said.

A key initiative under this partnership focuses on advancing seaweed farming in the coastal communities of Camarines Sur. In this area, FP Island Energy Corporation, a subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings Corporation and a sister company of First Gen, operates a microgrid system on the islands of Caramoan and Garchitorena.

Through the MOA, this initiative integrates UPLB’s cutting-edge technology with First Gen’s innovative energy solutions, aiming to empower these communities and strengthen their resilience.

“At First Gen, corporate social responsibility is not just an aspect of what we do—it is central to who we are. This collaboration with UPLB reflects our commitment to delivering responsive and impactful initiatives that address local needs while supporting global sustainability goals,” Cruz emphasized.

(Story by:Joel Gaborni)