Tigbauan, Iloilo – SEAFDEC/AQD Chief Dan Baliao signed a document this morning acknowledging receipt of P460 million in the form of equipment and other experimental facilities from DA/BFAR.
Chief Baliao expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan through JICA (Japan International Cooperating Agency) for entrusting SEAFDEC this state-of-the-art equipment to enhance its productivity in generating fishery and aquaculture technologies.
Before the signing, Chief Baliao recalled how Biotech Laboratory was realized starting with cornerstone laying in December 2001 followed by the improvement of the 2nd floor of Nutrition Bldg. that became the home to the sensitive equipment and diagnostic laboratories.
Significant people who were instrumental in the realization of Biotech Laboratory were also mentioned by Chief Baliao. Among them were Sen. Franklin Drilon and Cong. G. Maranon, Jr., who was then Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
Hon Osamu Nakagaki was JICA Representative in the Philippines and Sec. Luis Lorenzo was the DA secretary at the time the project was on its planning stage . USec Cesar Drilon, Dir. Malcolm Sarmiento and Dr. Rolando Platon, were also among the important figures behind this immense project.
“Let this facility now stand as a symbol of our continued effort in our fisheries and aquaculture R&D activities which official turn-over I accept today from DA/BFAR with heartfelt appreciation”, Baliao said.
Dr. Leobert dela Pena, Research Division Head who welcomed the guests said that SEAFDEC/AQD have been working hand in hand for the longest time. The collaboration, he said resulted to numerous successful innovations and aquaculture technologies.
“This partnership has reached another milestone…. rest assured that the partnership between these two research institutions will be made even stronger and will continue to work hard to attain a sustainable aquaculture here in the Philippines.”
Da-BFAR was represented by Ms. Drusila Bayate, Executive Director, BFAR-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute while Deputy Chief Dr. Koh-ichiro Mori represented Government of Japan
Witnesses to the turn-over ceremony were officers of SEAFDEC/AQD and NFRDI./PN
