DAGUPAN CITY – A visibly impressed head of state left the province with novel ideas etched on his mind for his implementation in his own country.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, who made his historic visit here Sunday with a fun-filled day tour around the aquaculture projects at the 24-hectare Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) center in Bonuan Binloc this city, was the special guest of Speaker Jose de Venecia.

President Obiang, accompanied by Speaker de Venecia, arrived in the  city last Sunday and was welcomed by Pangasinan leaders led by Governor  Victor Agbayani, Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr, Pangasinan fourth district mayors (except Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim), Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez and fourth district Board  members John Agerico Rosario and Manuel Ancheta.

The president was the first foreign head of state that visited Pangasinan, this city and the BFAR center.

President Obiang was impressed with the aquaculture projects at the BFAR whose many programs are funded by de Venecia’s Countrywide Development Fund.

The presidential entourage was shown experimental culture of Penaeus vannamei (white shrimp) in the Philippines, the center of the  development of genetically improved strain of macrobrachium which is the hatchery for  the production of freshwater prawns, the bangus hatchery center, molobicus building for tilapia culture, live fish market, the aquarium resto, and  the aquaculture academy.

He, together with de Venecia and BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento, Department of Agriculture regional director Nestor Domenden, led the ceremonial seeding of top- shell juveniles Trochus niloticusin  Lingayen Gulf.

Top-shell is a large conical shell having an inner thick layer of mother-of-pearl technically known as nacre. They are processed into jewelry and buttons for highly priced garments.

The shells are also used for handicrafts and collectors’ item while the meat is utilized for non-conventional purposes, according to Dr. Westly Rosario, interim director of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and also concurrent chief of National Integrated Fisheries and Technology Development Center.

Mr. Obiang said his country can benefit from the technology on fish culture that was demonstrated to him. There are about 3,000 Filipinos in Equatorial Guinea. — EVA

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