Strengthening sustainable agriculture and community-based livelihoods, the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pili through the Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO) under the Organic Agriculture Banner Program, conducted an ocular visit and provided technical assistance to the Pili Union of Stingless Bee Owners (PUSO) on January 22–23, 2026.
The two-day activity covered several barangays in the municipality of Pili, including Caroyroyan, Tinagis, Palestina, San Antonio, Binanuaanan, Del Rosario, Bagong Sirang, Sagrada, and Curry, aiming to assess the actual conditions of stingless bee production sites, with particular focus on apiary locations, colony management practices, and the overall production setup of PUSO members.
CBSUA faculty members, together with LGU representatives, personally visited various apiary areas to closely observe hive management, colony maintenance, and honey production practices. The activity was spearheaded by Mr. Rodel M. Garbeles, AT/OAP Focal Person of the MOA–Pili.
Technical expertise was provided by Johanna S. M. Cordial, Director of the Regional Apiculture Center (RAC); Roberto Buenaagua, RAC Apiarist; and Dr. Amelia Nicolas, a stingless bee expert and faculty member of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Their assistance focused on monitoring apiary conditions, conducting re-hiving and colony splitting, testing honey quality, and guiding members on the proper addition of hive components to enhance colony health and productivity.
Adding another dimension to the initiative, agri-tourism experts Hanilyn A. Hidalgo and Mia Bella Fresnido from the College of Economics and Management (CEM) shared insights on the development of a Meliponi agri-tourism site in Tinagis, Pili, Camarines Sur. They emphasized the strong potential of stingless beekeeping not only as a sustainable livelihood but also as a promising agri-tourism attraction in the municipality.
Also present during the activity was Ms. Abigail V. Guinoo, Director of the Extension Division, who expressed her support for the initiative as part of CBSUA’s continuing commitment to community engagement, capacity-building, and extension services.
The team provided practical technical advice on improving colony health, proper hive placement, and sustainable stingless bee management practices. Open dialogues with PUSO members allowed the team to address common challenges in stingless beekeeping and explore appropriate interventions to ensure the continuity, growth, and long-term viability of their colonies.
Both institutions reaffirm their shared commitment to empowering local organizations, promoting sustainable agriculture, and advancing inclusive rural development. | 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘌𝘚𝘋
