Japan funds P60-M aquaculture center in Cam Sur

Source | GMANews.TV

The food production capability of Bicol will receive a major boost with the establishment of a new P60-million regional aquaculture center in Camarines Sur province.

Philippine and Japanese officials will attend the inauguration of the facility on Thursday, the Japanese Embassy said.

“The project hopes to provide better alternatives and direction for the development of freshwater resources in the Bicol Region, in order to contribute to the upliftment of the economic status of the Bicolanos and ultimately help in attaining food security targets of
the Filipino people,” the Japanese Embasy said in its website.

According to the Japanese Embassy, a mini-laboratory, mini-feedmill building, fish processing plant, and training hall-cum-dormitory were constructed to upgrade the facilities of the Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center (RFFC).

The project, which began in 2007, is a joint project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) of the Department of Agriculture.

Japan has been assisting the RFFC for almost two decades under the KR 2 Program.

Japanese Embassy minister for economic affairs Akio Isomata, Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala will lead the inauguration of the four major facilities under the “RFFC Continuing Capacity Building for Integrated Development of Bicol Freshwater Fisheries Project,” the embassy said.

The facility, located in Bula town, is a component of the Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program (formerly known as 2KR or Japan’s Increased Food Production Program).

Through the years, the Center has been at the forefront of aquaculture production and served as a training hub on the dissemination of aquaculture technologies in the Bicol Region.

“These newly constructed facilities will hopefully address the shortage in aquaculture production, elevate the functions of the RFFC from a mere production based aquaculture service center to a modernized one-stop-shop of freshwater fisheries technologies, thus
boosting the overall aquaculture system in the region,” the Japanese embassy said.

For the past 30 years, the Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program has made a positive impact on the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

Japan remains as the top donor of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines, supporting the government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve food self-sufficiency. –VVP, GMANews.TV

Tourist Spots in Bicol 1

Source: http://www.philippinesboard.com

Bicol is a peninsula located at the southeastern part of Luzon. It is about 9 hours by land or 45 minutes by air. Because of its geographic characteristics, Bicol can offer the best nature experience. One can enjoy white sand beaches, explore mysterious caves, hike thru mountains and volcanoes and visit cultural sites. If you are looking for a place to go with a variety of activities to enjoy, then Bicol is the place for you. To help you begin your trip, we have listed below the Top 5 Tourist Spots in Bicol-Philippines to visit.

Mt. Mayon: Natures Masterpiece

If Mt. Fuji is to Japan, then Mt. Mayon is to Bicol. Mt. Mayon with its perfectly shaped cone can be considered one of the Top 5 Tourist Spots in Bicol-Philippines. This still active volcano rises a majestic 2,421 meters and lords over the Bicol horizon. Mt. Mayon is located in northern part of Legazpi City. If you are up for the challenge to climb Mt. Mayon, you may get in touch with the Mayon Mountaineers through the Department of Tourism Office. Or alternatively, one can climb third of the way up to the Mayon Resthouse and the PHILVOCS Observatory and Museum.

Cagsawa Ruins: A Memorial for A Tragic Past

A lone church bell tower rises in the landscape with Mt. Mayon dominating the horizon behind it. This scene is famously depicted in many postcards throughout the Philippines. The bell tower is what remains of the Cagsawa town, about a few minutes ride from Legazpi City. When Mt. Mayon erupted in 1814 it engulfed the whole town in fiery lava. The people fled to the church but were unable to escape the lava flows. Only the church tower remains from this 19th century town to serve as a memorial for a tragic past.

Tiwi Hot Springs National Park: Harnessing Nature for Energy

Tiwi is a highly active thermal zone, with Tiwi Hot Springs in the Top 5 Tourist Spots in Bicol-Philippines. Its hot waters are believed to have medicinal properties. Naglagbong Lake offers the hottest waters. The Geothermal Electric Power Plant is also located in Tiwi. It uses steam from the natural hot springs to generate electricity.

Hoyop-Hoyopan Caves: The Cave that Whistles

In the local dialect hoyop-hoyopan means blow-blow. The name is descriptive to the sound of the wind whistling through the cave entrance. The Hoyop-Hoyopan cave is located 15 km from Legazpi, in the town of Camalig. Franciscan priests had excavated archeological artifacts dating from 50 BC from this cave. Some of the artifacts can be viewed at the nearby Camalig Church while some are located at the National Museum in Manila.

Busay Falls: A Cascading Wonder

The Busay Falls is in our Top 5 Tourist Spots in Bicol-Philippines. It is one of the highest waterfalls in the Philippines. Its luminescent waters cascades down in seven tiers from a height of 800 ft into two catch basins. The falls is located in Malilipot, Albay and is accessible through a foot trail.