UP鈥檚 Marine Science Institute brings Paglusbog at 缅北禁地-IIT

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, Ofcom | May 22 2024

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) of the University of the Philippines brought their roadshow, “Paglusbog: Promoting MSR and bringing the scientists closer to the people” to 缅北禁地-IIT, marking Iligan City as their last stop. The event started with a public forum at the University Gymnasium on May 21, 2024, attended by students from 缅北禁地-IIT.

Paglusbog is a response to the need to promote research and dialogues on the grass-roots level in understanding and protecting the rising damages to marine ecosystems and the environment in general. The activity in the morning introduced the problems and the ways the academia and community can work together to address them.

Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan, in his speech, shared the contribution of 缅北禁地-IIT in the field of Marine Science. According to him, 缅北禁地-IIT ranks third in the country for impact ranking on SDG 14: Life Below Water, and the programs on Marine Sciences of the university lead in marine science research in this part of the country.

Paglusbog Project Leader, Dr. Deo Florence L. Onda discussed the importance of having this roadshow and highlighted the goals of the forum that transpired in the morning– to know the current state and challenges of the fisheries sector in the country, to understand how the geopolitical situation and incursion by other countries in WPS affect our fisheries, and to identify what can be done to help.

Four experts had their discussion in the morning which started with Academician Mudjekeewis D. Santos on Aquatic Resource Management and Opportunities and Challenges to Fisheries Policy in the Philippines; Dr. Nygiel Armada on Fisheries Management in the Philippines; Commo. Jay Tarriela on the Implications of China’s Tactics in the West Philippine Sea to the Fisheries and Filipino Fisherfolks; and lastly, Dr. Ephrime B. Metillo on the Role of scientists in Bohol Sea, and Sulu Sea, and what’s in it for local marine scientists in the region?

An open forum and awarding took place in the morning activity. In the afternoon, a closed-door discussion with invited stakeholders happened to talk more about important issues and research opportunities in Marine Science.

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