The team from CHED (Commission on Higher Education) headed by Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Executive Deputy Director, and International Affairs Staff Director; Atty. Christian E. Rivero, Higher Education Development Fund Director; CHED-IAS Staff, CHED Region VI Key Officials, and Study-PH poll of experts visited the RISE Capiz (Riverine Improvement Towards a Sustainable Ecotourism in Roxas City, Capiz) R&D (Research and Development) Program of CAPSU at Palina Greenbelt Ecopark on September 2, 2022.
Dr. Editha C. Alfon, the University President, and other key officials of the university welcomed the guests with chant and cultural opening dance ceremonies performed by the Indigenous Peoples students of CAPSU Tapaz. Students from the Burias Campus performed the cultural dance as they welcomed the visitors. The selected members of the CAPSU Main Campus Chorale rendered a series of Capiznon folksongs, and the CAPSU Burias Band, on the other hand, performed the lullabies.
Dr. Alfon together with Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla led the ribbon cutting and blessing of the new floating greenhouse garden and aquamarine demo farm. After the ceremony, the RISE Capiz R&D program presented the outputs and future interventions for the riverine communities.
Among the activities was the releasing of the locally known “lapu-lapu” or the giant grouper into the aquamarine demofarm.
Also present during the ceremony were Dr. Wennie F. Legario, VP for Admin & Finance; Dr. Efren L. Linan, VP for RDE; Dr. Marry Ann B. Martelino, VP for External Affairs and Linkages; Research Director, Dr. Leo Andrew B. Biclar; Dr. Marryneth B. Barrios, Dr. Rodyard B. Madiclum, Training Director; Dr. Salvacion J. Legaspi, Director of the Crop Science Research Development Center; the Campus Administrators; and Satellite College Directors.
Ms. Jing Castañeda, the ABS-CBN news anchor and journalist partly documented the activity.
As the activity continued, Mrs. Salvacion Dela Cruz, one of the members of the riverine community beneficiaries, served as the tour guide who provided information on the cultural and historical sites during the river tour. The visitors enjoyed the opportunity to go on a motorized raft while indulging the mouth-watering seafoods at the Palina river tour, including the exquisite fresh fish prepared in favorite local dishes.
The CAPSU Main Chorale sang soothing songs for the guests on the river excursion, which added and delighted in the breathtaking views and tranquility of the river, which provided them with energizing, healing sensations.
The CHED funded the RISE R&D Program of CAPSU, led by Dr. Leo Andrew B. Biclar as the Program Leader with Dr. Efren L. Linan and Dr. Emelita P. Solante as project leaders.
The CHED visitation is part of the monitoring and evaluation activity on the RISE Capiz R&D Program.