5-day 19th Nat’l Fruit Symposium set in Cebu City Oct. 24-28
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- The Phil Fruits Association (PFA) Incorporated in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will hold the five-day 19th National Fruit Symposium on October 24-28 in Cebu City under the theme “Harnessing Science and Technology Towards a Dynamic and Sustainable Fruit Production.”
The symposium aims to recognize the phenomenal contributions of science and technology (S &T) from the different concerned sectors in narrowing the current supply and demand gaps without compromising the ecological balance.
The five-day symposium features plenary and technical sessions, paper and oral presentations, posters/exhibits and educational field tours.
One of the significant highlights of the conference is the recognition and granting of awards to individuals who have shown stellar performances in their chosen field of work.
Among the awards to be given are the Leon G. Gonzales Award of Distinction (Individual Award), PFA Award of Distinction (Institutional Award), PFA Honorary Fellows, PFA Achievement Awards as well as Best Paper and Poster Exhibit Awards.
Scientific papers and posters for presentation and exhibit will include the following topics: Health and Nutrition, Updates and Advances in Fruit Production and Management, Crop Diversification, Fruit Diversity-Germplasm Collection, Breeding and Varietal Improvement, Organic Fruit Farming, and Post harvest Handling, Marketing and Product Utilization. (PIA-Cebu with DOST-7 PR)
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Gov’t warns illegal fishers anew as 18 boxes
of illegal fish seized in Cebu City
‘PHL celebrates 48th Fisheries Conservation Week Oct. 16-22”
CEBU CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- Government warns illegal fishers anew that the law will catch up with them as at least 18 boxes of fish worth P50,000 believed to have been caught through illegal means were seized from the Pasil Market in Cebu City yesterday dawn.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Bantay Dagat-Cebu City Commission made the confiscation at a time when the country celebrates the 48th Fisheries Conservation Week from October 16 to 22 under the theme “Karagatan Pagyamanin, Isda Paramihin, Buong Mundo Pasiglahin.”
With the seizure of the boxes containing illegal fish sends a strong message from government that it would continue to wage a sustained war against illegal fishing.
Early this month, the Cebu Provincial Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force confiscated 14 boxes that contained blasted fish worth P28,000 aboard a truck that came from northern Cebu. The cargo truck was allowed to proceed to Cebu City and no arrest was made since the other boxes contained fish that were not illegally caught.
The seizure was made based on a tip as a BFAR-7 examiner randomly checked the contents of the boxes which resulted to the confiscation of the 14 boxes but cleared the remaining 35 boxes.
In a previous interview, BFAR-7 Assistant Regional Director Allan Poquita bared that their office has revitalized its program against illegal fishing and that they continue to provide training in law enforcement and conduct patrol operations especially in the northern part of Cebu where most illegal fishing activities occur.
BFAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos meanwhile said, the celebration of the Fisheries Conservation Week is part of their earnest campaign towards development, management, conservation and protection of our fisheries and aquatic resources to ensure their sustainability.
This will also strengthen the linkages and cooperation of all agencies and others stakeholders involved in the development of the fisheries sector, according to Bojos.
The annual weeklong observance is celebrated every third week of October by virtue of Proclamation No. 176 by former President Diosdado Macapagal on October 21, 1963.
Bojos said the annual celebration is of great significance as it places emphasis on the importance of fishery and aquatic products to the country’s economy and the wise management of coastal and marine environment to sustain biodiversity and improve quality of life for the local communities.
This year’s theme is a call for the pursuance of sustainable and environmentally-sound economic fisheries development program geared towards food security, this is said. (PIA-Cebu)