Mayor Gretchen Stephanie M. Espina has pledged ₱1 million to support research and innovation at Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), committing the funds to be included in next year's budget. The announcement was made during the opening of the 2025 Researchlympics (Research, Innovation, and Extension Exhibit) at the BiPSU Students Center on September 23, 2025.

Mayor Espina, along with BiPSU President Prof. Victor C. Cañezo Jr.,EdD, CHRP, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the event.

In her message, Mayor Espina highlighted that the commitment aligns with the local government's Isaliksik Inobasyon program, part of the wider DASIG initiatives. She congratulated the faculty, students, and researchers for their successful projects, and urged them to apply their work to the local community.

"BiPSU believes in Weaving of Worthiness and, true to that fact, you have reached international recognition, but I am bringing you home also by asking you to implement your researches here, to the community where it matters greatly," she said.

The ₱1 million funding is intended as a startup capital for BiPSU's researchers, faculty, and students whose exemplary projects can be commercialized or implemented within the community.

Following the ceremony, Mayor Espina and Prof. Cañezo toured the exhibits, listening to presentations from various schools about their innovative products.

Prof. Cañezo expressed his gratitude for the mayor's support, stating that the funding is "a big boost in turning ideas into real solutions that can impact our communities, especially LGU Naval." He also thanked the university's Research, Extension, and Innovation Offices, along with the students and faculty, for their passion and creativity.

#WoWBiPSU