Inst. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, academic staff of the Department of Tourism Management and researcher of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, is one of the Gabay Awardees of the National Research Council of the Philippines, which conferred the recognitions on December 5, 2022 at Intramuros, Manila.
Mercado, who conducts studies on Philippine culture and heritage, was the awardee for the Social Sciences Division (Division VIII). He joined four other researchers who were recognized by the government for their studies that have been instrumental in the adoption of policies, programs, and/or initiatives in various localities.
Three policies were borne out of Mercado鈥檚 studies: the Ormoc City Sustainable Tourism Development Plan by the Leyte and Ormoc Festival and Cultural Foundation, Inc; the Food Mapping Project for the Provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga by the Department of Tourism – Region III; and the San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte Sustainable Tourism and Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025.
The five awardees are the inaugural recipients of the award, 鈥淣RCP鈥檚 newest recognition system given to active members whose research works have resulted or translated to adopted technologies and policies or have informed policy decisions鈥�.鈥�
