“With the different Science and Technology (S&T) projects implemented by DOST in the city, we now see changes in our marine environment and opportunities for greater productivity in aquaculture, not only for the people of Alaminos, but for the whole first district of Pangasinan.”
Alaminos City Mayor Arthur F. Celeste shared this great appreciation for S&T during the opening program of the 2018 Regional S&T Week Caravan, organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office 1 and hosted by the City Government of Alaminos, Pangasinan.
One of the two projects he lauded was the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the DOST (DOST-PCAARRD) funded coral restoration project in Hundred Islands in 2016. The project, implemented by the Pangasinan State University and the City Government, transplanted 30,000 coral fragments to restore damaged reef areas in the famous tourist spot of the City.
Mayor Celeste proudly proclaimed, “Today, we now have more than 50,000 live corals in the Hundred Island Protected Area. Also, we observed greater number and varieties of fishes in the area providing a bright future for our people’s livelihood and the province’s ecotourism potentials.”
Another project he mentioned during the RSTW opening ceremony was the P5 million DOST-PCAARRD funded mud crab hatchery, the first of its kind managed by a local government unit. It serves the needs of grow out producers in the first district of Pangasinan.
For his part, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Pena also thanked Mayor Celeste for sharing the contributions of S&T in the city. He said, “that these successful stories of partnership and relevant contribution of S&T to the productivity of the local people inspire public servants to be more committed, most especially when current news are uninspiring and frustrating.”
Secretary dela Pena joined the RSTW celebration along with national and regional offices and agencies of DOST; state universities and colleges in the region; private sector; primary and secondary schools in the province; and local and national media partners.