Convinced that aquaculture may yet solve the country's food security problem and alleviate poverty in the countryside, Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor has personally launched the first commercial mariculture park of the country in the Island Garden City of Samal, located some 25 kilometers northeast of Davao City. He was assisted by Undersecretary for Fisheries and Livestock Cesat Drilon Jr., BFAR Director Malcolm Saemiento Jr. and SEAFDEC AQD chief Dr. Rolando Platon. Also present to participate in the occasion were Rep. Antonio Floirendo, BFAR 11 Regional Director Gil Adora, DA 11 Regional Director Roger Chio, Nelson Lopez of the BFAR central office and Dan Baliao of SEAFDEC.

Montemayor launches RP's 1st comm'l mariculture park. (2001, August 19). The Philippine Star, p. 14.