The construction of a world-class biotechnology laboratory here is expected to considerably boost aquaculture research in the country. The P431-million Laboratory for Advanced Aquaculture Technologies was turned over last Feb. 27 to the Philippine government by the Japanese government, which provided P400 million for its construction. The Philippine government gave a counterpart fund of P31 million for the state-of-the-art research facility, which was built within the 40-hectare complex of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC AQD) in this seaside town 24 kilometers west of Iloilo City.

Fernandez, R. A. (2003, March 8). P431-M biotech lab turned over to RP. The Philippine Star, p. B-4.