Cycling enthusiast to avail of DOST Program

By Benjie S. De Yro

Monday 18th of June 2012

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan, June 18 (PIA) -- A cyclist-businessman, considered the most successful fish farmer in Nueva Viscaya, is the latest applicant to a program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Region 2.

Director Urdujah Tejada identified the fish farmer as Lupo Alava of Bagabag, Nueva Viscaya, the Marlboro Tour of Luzon’s “Rookie of the Year" in the 1980s.

Tejada said Alava is the proud operator of a 1,200-square meter pond in Diadi, Nueva Viscaya and went into intensive tilapia production earlier assisted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

As one of the biggest fish pond operator in the province, Alava’s performance in fish farming merited him a Gawad Saka award in 2005, according to BFAR.

The progressive fish farmer wanted to avail of a P700,000 assistance for a small enterprises technology upgrading program (SET-UP) to further enhance his farm, which is now into the hatchery of koi and other aquarium fishes species.

Tejada said that for this year, the government has approved a total of P36-million budget for technology assistance projects of potential beneficiaries for Region 2 alone.

Only last month, at least 50 clients who availed of the various programs of DOST were declared “graduates” by the agency, which meant that they were able to pay back the assistance extended by the agency, without interest. (BSY/PIA Cagayan)