By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
A biomolecular laboratory will be constructed on one of the campuses of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) in 2025.
This commitment was made by Senator Francis Tolentino during the commencement exercises for the 1,061 graduates of the university and its extension campuses on Friday, July 26.
“That’s just one added value to increase the stature of the university,” Tolentino told the Daily Guardian. The senator served as the commencement speaker of the ceremony.
“This is the need, and the need would have to be addressed. This is long overdue,” he added, citing a personal request from ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr.
With the vision of Fourth District Rep. Ferjenel “Dr. Ferj” Biron to reintroduce the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, Tolentino said the biomolecular laboratory would be necessary to reduce the requirements to comply with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Tolentino said budget allocations for the facility are yet to be discussed.
“The amount would be commensurate with the positive consequences. This will upgrade the quality of education,” he further emphasized.
Meanwhile, Biron stressed that ISUFST, as the country’s only fisheries university, is recognized as a center of excellence in fisheries education.
He argued that the biomolecular laboratory would enhance the university’s marine biology and fisheries programs.
“We appealed to the senator that since the budgetary allocation is not enough to cover this, being a senator, they have a wider latitude for funding, and we appealed for this facility to improve the program of marine biology and fisheries in ISUFST,” he explained.
Biron, who is also a member of the Board of Regents, is pushing for the reinstatement of maritime courses in two years.
ISUFST’s maritime education was ordered closed by CHED, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and maritime higher education institutions due to non-compliance with the standards of the European Union and the international market.
In addition to maritime courses, Biron is advocating for the introduction of engineering and allied medical courses at the university.
“In the next two years, perhaps we can start with civil, mechanical, and electrical and allied medical courses,” he said.
Biron is the author of the law that converted the then-Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF) into ISUFST in 2023.
