An exhibit themed “From the sea to our homes: The seaweed industry contributes to sustainable development and the Philippine economy” was recently held at the North Wing Lobby of the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
The event, spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), was co-sponsored by Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan (AGHAM) Representative Angelo B. Palmones.
The exhibit is part of the promotion of the Council’s Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plan (ISP) for seaweed. As such,
it showcased seaweed production to utilization. Some seaweed products featured were pickled seaweed, liquid plant food, animal growth boosters, and "Seamoy," a seaweed-based air freshener gel infused with essential oils from sampaguita and ylang-ylang.
In his welcome remarks, Palmones focused on how science can be built at the local level. He also emphasized the need to communicate science to the public and make it accessible to a wider audience.
PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Aquatic Resources Cesario R. Pagdilao, on the other hand, underscored the need to improve the quality of seaweed seedstock and to use improved cultivars to provide more seedlings for the expansion of farms and farm operations.
PCAARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon closed the program by keying in on the ISPs in general.
Bringing forth the good news of the increase in the budget for the Department of Science and Technology's projects, Faylon emphasized the incentives of doing more research and projects on the ISPs and stressed the importance of science and technology to the Filipinos.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially signify the opening of the exhibit followed, led by Palmones and Faylon, together with University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute’s (UP-MSI) Dr. Edna G. Fortes and Dr. Marco E. Montaño.
Other guests were Dr. Ronelie C. Salvador of the University of Eastern Philippines; Dr. Irvin C. Generalao, president of the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology; Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan, president of Davao del Norte State College; Nenita Setenta of MCPI Corp. members and students of UP-MSI, and the media.
Notable exhibit visitors included Cebu 4th District Rep Benhur L. Salimbangon, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep Mohammed Hussein P. Pangandaman, AKO BICOL Party List Rep Alfredo A. Garbin Jr., and AN WARAY Party List Rep Neil Benedict A. Montejo.