On July 1, 2020, Dr. Antonio E. Madrid, Executive Director of the DMMMSU-National Apiculture Research Training and Development Institute (NARTDI) and Forester Merlito T. Antolin, Division Head for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, will wind up their more than three decades of government service.

Dr. Madrid and For. Antolin selflessly shared their expertise in agricultural engineering and natural resources management with the University and the Institute for 39 and 33 years, respectively. They have both immense contributions that extended beyond the corners of DMMMSU-NARTDI.

The predecessor of Dr. Orlando P. Almoite, former NARTDI Executive Director and prior to becoming NARTDI’s new leaders, Dr. Madrid served DMMMSU as Professor of the Institute of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering (IABE) of the North La Union Campus (NLUC), Bacnotan, La Union and as University Extension Director. On the other hand, For. Antolin served in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and was stationed in the beautiful island of Batanes.

Both shared their passion in helping others and supported the realization of the vision, mission, and goals of DMMMSU.  Together, they worked closely with the DMMMSU management to efficiently implement NARTDI’s research, extension, and administrative functions and helped provide assistance to beekeepers and other industry stakeholders in all parts of the country. (RMPajarillo)