LAOAG CITY—A fishery campus of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in the coastal village of Pias, Currimao town may soon become an eco-fishery tourism paradise with more palm trees being planted in the area.
MMSU president Shirley Agrupis initiated the “Plant-a-Palm” project, which was launched July 25 in time for her 45th birthday celebration.
Amidst intermittent rainfall on Wednesday afternoon, representatives from the different local government units of Ilocos Norte and inter-government agencies and organizations – along with students and other visitors – brought their own palm seedlings and planted them around the College of Aquatic Science and Applied Technology (CASAT) compound in Currimao town.
According to Agrupis, she chose palm, which belongs to the Nypa fruticans (Nipa) family, not only because of its aesthetic quality but also because it symbolizes resiliency, which the university is known for.
“Palm is one of the most resilient plant species on earth that can stand the test of time. This is a significant plant in MMSU that paved the way to the creation of the soon-to-rise National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center,” she said.
The campus now has alumni villas, which can be rented out to visitors and picnickers. It also maintains a fish pond where tilapia is for sale.
Agrupis said once fully developed, the CASAT eco-fisheries tourism site hopes to also open a campus restaurant that will use eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and coconut and discourage use of plastic straws and other non-biodegradable materials.
The sap of the nipa plants planted around a fish pond shall also be collected to allow visitors to make their vodka and other alcohol-based nipa products.
“Help me dream for MMSU,” Agrupis told the participants as she thanked them during the palm tree planting activity.
In support of the program, at least 20 varieties of coconut, courtesy of the Philippine Coconut Center in Zamboanga City, were also given to MMSU as a jump-start project for the establishment of a coconut garden in the same area. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
