THE SECRETARIAT of the 21st National Tuna Congress is now in the thick of preparations to ensure the successful mounting of the 21st National Tuna Congress slated on Sept. 4-6, 2019 at the 3rd Floor, SM Trade Halls, SM City General Santos, General Santos City.
To kick off the 3-day event, a 21st Tuna Congress Caravan will make the rounds in city streets beginning at the General Santos Fish Port in Tambler, in the early morning of Sept. 4, 2019, and finishing at SM City General Santos for the 21st Tuna Congress Mass. Thereafter, the 21st Tuna Congress Trade Exhibit will be opened to the public.
In the afternoon, the 2nd All About Handline Summit will happen at the 3rd floor area opposite the Trade Halls. The summit will serve as the 1st Public Consultation of the proposed Amendments to the Handline Fishing Law Implementing Rules and Regulations. It will also tackle Updates of Tuna Conservation Management Zone Program and Fisheries Improvement Initiatives. Fellowship Dinner will follow by evening.
The Plenary Sessions will commence on Sept. 5, 2019 with eight topics. For the final day on Sept. 6, 2019, eight plenary topics will also be discussed by expert speakers. Among the pre-selected main topics in consonance with the 21st National Tuna Congress Theme – “The Tuna Industry: Embracing Technologies and Sustainable Strategies” are Electronic Monitoring, Surveillance, and Control; Catch Documentation and Traceability; Emerging Technologies for Processors; and Commodity, Market and Stock Assessment, and Other Updates.
The Closing Ceremonies will highlight the updates of the 20th National Tuna Congress Resolutions and ceremonial turnover of the 21st National Tuna Congress Resolutions. The three-day event will be capped by a Farewell Dinner.
In a related story, as of to date, out of 192 booths to comprise the 21st National Tuna Congress Trade Exhibit, only 76 booths are left available for lease. For interested sponsors, please contact the Congress Secretariat at tunacongress@yahoo.com or sffaii1999@yahoo.com. You may also call them at Telephone Nos. (083) 826-1042 and 826-1047.
Meanwhile, students are encouraged to participate in the 21st National Tuna Congress. The exposure will certainly facilitate the student-participants’ growth and development. 300 slots are available for students. The initial 150 students will be seated at the Plenary Area while the remaining 150 will be seated at the Extension Room adjacent to the Plenary Area. The Extension Room will be provided with a LED screen to enable the students to view the entire proceedings on real time. A pre-registration process will be observed to suit this change in student accommodation. This scheme is on a first-come, first-served basis so we encourage students to register as early as possible. Registration Fee for students is P500.00.
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Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) held its 15th Year Anniversary Programme on July 4, 2019 at the sprawling Panay Energy Development Corporation grounds. GBP President Jaime T. Azurin was present to personally distribute the Awards to deserving management and personnel.
I want to congratulate my friends Mary Grace B. Solis, Nevah Jean Divina, Daisy Butiong, and Myra Riza Montelijao for receiving their 15th year service awards! They serve Panay Power Corporation, a GBP subsidiary. Grace is from General Santos City who studied at the University of the Philippines-Visayas, settled in Iloilo City, and got married to Bong. They have three kids. She’s an adopted daughter of Iloilo as I am an adopted daughter of General Santos City. How’s that! I spent my Christmas with Grace’s family last year and ate with gusto everything set on the table, plus the Christmas day lunch at Tychie in Dumangas, Iloilo! Like I always say, the food in Iloilo is super yummy. I can never have enough of them.
Congratulations also to Alex and Daphne (Bopeep as her friends affectionately call her) Ong! The couple’s son Dale Aldrich passed the Architectural Board Examinations given on June 28 and 30, 2019. Results were out on July 4th, right away! I share in your joy Alex and Bopeep! Kudos to Architect Dale Ong!
One of these days, I am visiting Iloilo again and be hosted by Grace and family (again!) and of course, Alex and Bopeep.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust
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