𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗧 𝗨 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁

Researchers from Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) earned top honors at the POLARIS 2026: Policy, Action, Research, and Impact Summit, held on October 8–9, 2026, at the Research and Extension Building of West Visayas State University in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Dr. Heinz B. Gumaquil and Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca emerged as winners in both the Best Policy Brief and Best Oral Policy Presentation categories for their respective research works addressing local governance and community-based development.

Gumaquil was recognized for his study, “Bridging the Gap Between Downloaded and Delivered: A Participatory Diagnosis of LGSF Implementation Barriers in Western Visayas,” under Track 1 on Governance, which examines challenges in implementing the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

Meanwhile, Darroca earned recognition for “BE HOME (Balay Palahuwayan): A Community-Based Accommodation Model for the Municipality of Tubungan,” under Track 3 on Tourism, which presents a community-based approach to accommodation and local development.

Adding to the accolades, Mr. Rajyand T. Gellamucho received the Most Impactful Policy Brief award for his research, “Institutionalizing IDEAMS for Sustainable Development: A Data-Driven Governance Strategy for Guimaras Province.”

Organized by the Research Managers Council of Region VI, POLARIS 2026 seeks to bridge the gap between research evidence and policy implementation in agriculture, health, education, and governance. Anchored on the theme “Translating Research into Action: Advancing Evidence-Based Policies for Regional Development,” the summit highlights the role of research in developing practical, evidence-based solutions to regional challenges.

The recognition underscores the value of research that goes beyond academic inquiry—translating evidence into actionable policies and strategies that support responsive governance and sustainable regional development. The Summit was also participated by other state universities in Western Visayas.

Congratulations to our ISAT U researchers for bringing their research from evidence to action and making a meaningful contribution to regional development