DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research OIC director Joell H. Lales led the inauguration of the Benguet State University Agricultural Processing Center (BSU-APC) on 13 December 2022, at La Trinidad, Cordillera Administrative Region. 

In his message, he emphasized that R4D facilities such as the APC must have the farmers as its number one beneficiaries. He also challenged the BSU officials and researchers to ensure that the utility and services of the center will be maximized. 

Aligned with the goal to optimize the productivity of farmers in the region, the BSU- APC shall house R&D activities for fresh farm produce traded at the Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC)—the country’s biggest vegetable trading facility. Among these is the refinement and training on vegetable processing and value-adding technologies towards providing farmers and consumers income and health benefits. The BSU-APC was funded by DA-BAR under its Research Facility Development Grant program. 

Also present during the inauguration were BSU Vice President for Research and Extension Johnny Guzman Dati, Sr., Vice President for Business Affairs Norma Banania, BSU-APC Project Leader Violeta Salda, BSU-Food Science Research and Innovation Center Director Lesley Dale Umayat, ORS Director Gretchen C. Ablaza, as well as DA-BAR and DA-CAR Regional Field Office officials and staff.