DMMMSU-Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (DMMMSU-ATBI) hosted its 1st Incubatee Graduation at the Conference Room, Central Administration Building, Bacnotan, La Union on June 27, 2023.

The 1st Batch of the Incubatee Graduating Class comprised of Laura R. Boado, President of the Ubagan La Union Fisherfolk Association; Belma T. Carrera, Owner of ELDICA Seafood Processing for the Milkfish Processing Technologies; Maricris C. Boado, President of the Rabon Seaside Gracilaria Seaweed Association for the Seaweed Production and Processing Technologies; Virgilio R. Carrillo, Owner of P.I. Catfish Phils. for the Grow-out Production and Management of Catfish in Tanks; and, Danilo A. Panes of Danny’s Farm for the Goat Raising and Production Management.

These five Incubatee Graduates went through the phases of the Basic and Advanced Incubation Program. Three (3) of them started in 2019 (Phase 01: ULFA, RSGSA, and Danny’s Farm), and the other two (2) in 2021 and 2022 (Phase 02: P.I. Catfish Philippines and ELDICA Seafood Processing).

Dr. Ruth C. Diego, the Program Leader of the National ATBI, graced the occasion together with Prof. Gemma S. Das-ilen, Ms. Ruth Ann T. Benayong, and Incubatees, Mr. Baltazar K. Tudayan, Jr. and Ms. Jessie A. Cuaban. Dr. Diego in her message inspired the audience when she said, “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 committed 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶”.

In addition, Prof. Victoria N. Malaya, DMMMSU-ATBI Project Leader expressed how motivated she was, looking up to BSU ATBI/IC’s incubation successes and mentoring strategies as her encouragement in continuing the advocacy of the Agri-Aqua Business Incubation. Moreover, she also emphasized the remarkable accomplishments through the trust and strong conviction of the funding agency DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and the support of the University’s President, Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr.

Further, Dr. Angelina T. Gonzales, Vice President for Research and Extension and Project Staff of DMMMSU ATBI, warmly congratulated the Incubatee Graduates for “possessing the attributes and characteristics in sustaining their existence to reach their graduation.”

Prof. Anabella G. Valdez, Project Staff, DMMMSU ATBI concluded the program with closing remarks as she conveyed the felicitations to the graduates. (By epb)