23/06/2026
IN PHOTOS| ๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐น๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐บ๐, ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ง ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ต๐ผ๐
BALER, Aurora โ Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) joined experts, government agencies, Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, in discussions on blue economy, ocean science, maritime security, and opportunities linked to the Philippine Rise during the Waypoints Project's Blue Economy, Security, Science and Technology (BESST) Roadshow held on June 19 at Bulwagang Sen. Edgardo Angara, ASCOT Zabali (Main) Campus.
Organized by the Waypoints Project under the leadership of Dr. Julio S. Amador III and hosted by ASCOT, the roadshow brought together stakeholders from government, academe, and local communities to explore how science, technology, policy, and innovation can support the sustainable development of the country's marine resources.
Among the featured speakers were Atty. Neil Silva, Legal Officer of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, who discussed maritime governance and legal frameworks, and Mr. Jesse Pascasio of the Department of National Defense (DND), who shared perspectives on maritime security and the strategic importance of the Philippines' ocean territories.
Representing ASCOT were faculty-researchers Dr. Antonio Bolivar and Dr. Mark Raphael, Dean of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. Dr. Bolivar highlighted opportunities in the blue economy and its potential contributions to food security, livelihoods, and sustainable development, while Dr. Raphael presented technologies used in ocean monitoring, including tools that help track fish migration, understand ocean conditions, and support fisheries management.
During the event, APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV shared APECO's vision of positioning Aurora as the "Fishing Capital of the Pacific," citing the province's rich marine resources and strategic location near the Philippine Rise. He emphasized the potential of the blue economy to create jobs, strengthen coastal communities, and drive long-term economic growth.
In his message, ASCOT President Dr. Renato G. Reyes encouraged faculty members, researchers, and students to pursue research and innovation in blue economy, maritime security, ocean science, and related fields, emphasizing the role of higher education institutions in generating knowledge and developing solutions for sustainable resource management.
The activity was attended by representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Aurora, Philippine National Police (PNP)- Aurora, AFP-Aurora, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-Aurora, Philippine Information Agency (PIA)- Aurora, Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities of Casiguran, as well as ASCOT faculty members and students.
Photos and information by Diana de Mesa-Amazona, ASCOT Information Unit.
