DOST-PCAARRD, CLSU Hold Inception Meeting for a Newly Approved 52M Project

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through its Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC) and the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) held an inception meeting on March 24, 2025, for the newly approved project amounting to 52.15 million pesos, set to run for two years. Under the leadership of Dr. Karl Marx A. Quiazon, FAC Director, the project entitled National Tilapia R&D Program: Program A - Ensuring Accessibility of FaST Strain for Productive, Profitable, and Sustainable Grow-Out Operations aims to improve the accessibility of FaST Strain fingerlings nationwide, transforming CLSU into a breeding nucleus for high-quality tilapia. Initially focused on the Luzon Area, the program is set to expand to the Visayas and Mindanao through partnerships with breeders and private enterprises. The initiative encompasses five projects, with CLSU leading the first, second, and fourth projects, while Isabela State University (ISU) will implement the third and fifth projects. Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, University President, expressed his support for the program, emphasizing its significance in strengthening the country?s aquaculture industry. He highlighted the program?s role in enhancing food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. ?This initiative was made possible by the strategic vision of our dedicated university researchers, reflecting CLSU?s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable technologies specifically for future production and services, aligning with the government?s goals for food sustainability,? said President Abella. The discussion included the DOST guidelines for implementing R&D programs, as well as monitoring and evaluation plans and timelines, followed by an open forum addressing key concerns such as budget release, certification requirements, procurement processes by the implementing agency, utilization rates, and coordination with accounting offices. Other DOST-PCAARRD officials who joined the meeting were Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, Deputy Executive Director; Dr. Adelaida T. Calpe, Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) Director; Dr. Cynthia V. Almazan, Senior Science Research Specialist; along with Ms. Maria Teresa Vasquez and other representatives from DOST. Dr. Batalon concluded the inception meeting with a confident endorsement of the project and extended his congratulations to both state universities. ?Today marks the beginning of another promising R&D program. This initiative is the first step toward developing more efficient, innovative, and sustainable approaches that will significantly advance the tilapia industry,? Dr. Batalon expressed. #LifeBelowWater #SievingForExcellence