SEAFDEC/AQD Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center | Aquaculture Department
By Development Communication Section
Philippine Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol expressed support to SEAFDEC/AQD and advised officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to visit the research institution and more closely coordinate with its experts.
Piñol, accompanied by Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor and BFAR Regional Dir. Remia Aparri, visited SEAFDEC/AQD in Tigbauan last 9 August 2017.
During a meeting with the SEAFDEC/AQD Management Committee, Piñol directed BFAR to make use of SEAFDEC expertise in fisheries and establish “closer coordination.”
“There is a disconnect between research and actual implementation. Kapag hindi mo na-link yan, useless ang research. (If you don’t link both, the research will be useless),” the agriculture chief said.
Aparri, having been a former trainee of SEAFDEC/AQD, suggested to Piñol that the government make use of SEAFDEC/AQD’s regularly-conducted training courses on a range of aquaculture commodities.
“Before I was a trainee here, and talagang (indeed) if you were trained in SEAFDEC, after that you are confident na maka-negosyo ka na (that you will be able to do the business). You learn really about the business,” Aparri said.
Piñol further affirmed his support of SEAFDEC’s research thrusts, expressing his belief in research and development in the field of aquaculture. He likewise encouraged the SEAFDEC/AQD Management to coordinate with his office for funding needs.
“The name of the game now is fish farming because our fishing grounds are no longer absolutely fresh. Whatever support [SEAFDEC] may need or may require, you coordinate with us. We might have a few million hidden under the pillow somewhere. I believe in research. I’m a firm believer of research and development,” he said.
