“Research Administration is a profession, career and a mechanism for scientific and technological innovations. It’s a mean for us to serve the poor but not an end in itself. Research Administration done in excellence to help the poor can ensure that we have made a big difference and we have done our work far from the ordinary.” – Dr. Teotimo M. Aganon.
CLSU Vice President for Research, Extension and Training, and the Consortium Director of the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLARRDEC), Dr. Teotimo. Aganon once and again proved to the crowd, as well as himself, that nothing is impossible for the one who have knowledge, skills and dedication for their respective professions, after sheltering the prestigious and most sought-after PANTAS Award last November 7, 2008 at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Makati City during the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and National Resources research and Development (PCARRD) 36th founding anniversary. He received P100,000.00 cash prize, a plaque of recognition and a trophy.

NOT JUST AN ORDINARY AWARD
This prestigious award is given annually by PCAARD in partnership with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to the most outstanding research administrator.
The award was given by PCARRD Executive Director, Dr. Patricio F. Faylon and through DOST Secretary, Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro in recognition of Dr. Aganon’s “significant contributions to the advancement of agriculture and natural resources Research and Development (R & D) in Region 3.”
PCARRD also adduced him for his 15 years of dynamic leadership in research, which enabled CLSU to accomplish “significant outputs of far-reaching impact not only on individual beneficiaries but also on the communities of Region 3”.
Under his direction, the CLARRDEC was able established the most members of Farmer’s Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers in the country and enhanced the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the Techno Gabay Program’s partner implementers in Region 3.
Also established were the Ruminant Center, Seed and Research and Development Center for the Agricultural Resources and Environmental Studies. By forging numerous linkages locally and internationally, he has proved to be beneficial not only to R & D institutions in Central Luzon but to research agencies in other regions and countries as well.

QUALIFICATIONS
He conducted an independent work in rodent biology where he did manage assessment in different rice warehouses in Nueva Ecija. He formulated recommendations for warehouse owners to combat losses in palay at storage caused by rodents. He played a significant role in the development of pests management technologies for various important economic crops.
His research outputs were incorporated in a book entitled “Technoguide for Agriculture Production and Livelihood Projects” which was adjudged as the “1998 Most Outstanding Monograph Award” by the National Academy of Science and Technology. He was also instrumental in developing control measures for locust. His study provided information for timely applicant of control measures to suppress locust population and damage.
In collaborating with other scientists in vegetables, they developed environment friendly off-season technologies to overcome seasonal stresses such as cultivation of tomato grafted onto eggplant rootstock, use of net barrier and rainshelter and cultivation of heat tolerant leafy vegetables. Adoption of these technologies is now widespread in Central Luzon and nearby provinces.
Because of this scholarly work, the group was awarded the Gawad Lingkod Bayan by no other than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the 105th anniversary of the Civil Service Commission. The same scholarly work was awarded Likha Award as Most Outstanding Creative Research by the Department of Science and Technology.
He has authored and co-authored 7 books, monographs and manuals, 46 conference proceedings and technical papers. With these achievements, he was bestowed The Gawad Saka Outstanding Agricultural Scientist of Region III, then as finalist of the award at the national level.
He already served as Director of Research for 15 years and also serves as Regional Technical Adviser of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit II and III. He has been chair of the CLSU-LBP-Technology Promotion Center and co-chair of the Regional Integrated Research Development and Extension Agenda and Program for Central Luzon, Zonal Team Leader of the National Technical Team for Integrated R & D Agenda and Program for Crop Protection.
For three years, he served as member of the National Vegetable Technical Working Group of the National Seed Industry Council of the Department of Agriculture and Core Team Member of the National Technical Team for Integrated R & D Agenda and Program for Grain Legumes. Lately, he was designated as Senior Technical Adviser for Luzon of the Department of Agriculture and Project Steering Committee Member for the project, Support Program to Vegetables and Fruit Production Sector in Central Luzon. Now, he is the Vice President for RET and Director of the CLARRDEC in concurrent capacity.
As R & D Administrator, he was credited for pushing for the establishment of the Small Ruminant Center, Seed Research Development Center and the Center for Agricultural Resources and Environment Studies. His outstanding performance was left unnoticed as he was a recipient of the Crop Science Society of the Philippines Achievement Award in Research Management, the CLSU Outstanding Alumnus Award in Research Management, UPLB College of Agriculture Distinguish Award in Research Administration and Management and Outstanding Filipino Achiever in Agriculture by the Parangal ng Bayan Foundation, Inc. Recently, the Pest Management Council of the Philippines bestowed in him the Pest Management Award in Research and the 2007 CLSU Centennial Most Distinguished Alumnus Award in Science and Technology by CLSU during its centennial celebration.
He was conferred Scientist I by the Department of Science and Technology and Civil Service Commission. A dedicated teacher that creates a differencel, he has guided the academic careers of numerous BS, MS and PhD students.
In his speech, Dr. Aganon expressed his sincerest gratitude for the people behind this achievement. “I consider this award as a masterpiece par excellence and I feel honored to join the ranks of the finest R & D Administrators of this country,” he said. He added that it took him 33 years to win the said award.
“Lord Thomas Robert Dewar once said, “the road to success is filled with woman pushing their husbands along.’ This is what Claire did to me. She pushed me to the limit,” he added to show his deepest gratitude to Dr. Clarita P. Aganon, his beloved wife and to their children in spite of their distance served as his inspiration.
President Ruben C. Sevilleja together with some officials was present to congratulate him for the honor he brought to the University.
“This is a credit to the RET family and to the university in general,” President Sevilleja stated. “This is the thirds time that the award was won by a CLSU Official as Dr. Fortunato A. Battad and Dr. Rodolfo C. Undan, former CLSU presidents named PANTAS Awardees.” President Sevilleja added.