The College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT) received a new cutaway four-wheel drive tractor from CL Follosco Group (CLFG) in a turnover ceremony held at the CL Follosco Innovationeering Room at the Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (IABE) on April 4, 2025.

UPLB and CLFG formalized the endowment by signing a deed of donation. UPLB was represented by Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Rossana Marie C. Amongo, and CEAT Dean Rex B. Demafelis. 

On the other hand, CLFG was represented by CEO Maria Ester Follosco-Bautista and Director Miguel Enrique C. Follosco.

According to CEAT Dean Demafelis, the new tractor will be used not only by students of IABE, but also by those from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Industrial Engineering.

Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Christopher V. Morales represented Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. at the program. On behalf of the DA secretary, Usec. Morales recognized the importance of providing quality educational resources to empower students to innovate and address the complex problems of the agriculture sector.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, represented by Chancellor Camacho, acknowledged how CLFG’s donation will contribute to the further education of engineering students at UPLB.

For his part, Chancellor Camacho highlighted that the donation demonstrates the importance of partnership and collaboration between higher education institutions and the private sector. He also mentioned the University’s recent achievements and initiatives to improve the global standing of UPLB’s engineering programs. 

Among these is the recognition of UPLB’s programs by the Commission on Higher Education, including BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering, BS Chemical Engineering, and BS Civil Engineering, and CEAT’s ongoing accreditation for the Washington Accord.

Raymond Seo, general manager of Daedong, a Korean agricultural machine company, and Rafael Jose Consing, Jr., CEO of the Maharlika Investment Corporation, attended the turnover ceremony. 

CLFG has been a long-time partner of CEAT and UPLB. In 2017, they signed a memorandum of understanding with CEAT for the establishment of the Dr. Ceferino Follosco Innovationeering Lab through the CEAT Adopt-a-Laboratory program. This was followed by a donation of an ultra-short throw interactive projector in 2023 and a split-type air conditioning unit in 2024. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)