Assisting the President in the ribbon-cutting were Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Ocampos, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith, and Misamis Occidental 2nd Dist. Rep. Herminia Ramiro.
After the ribbon cutting, the President toured the breeding and hatchery pens at the second floor of the MOAP Hatchery Area.
During the project briefing, Governor Ocampos informed the President that the marine finfish hatchery is a tangible manifestation of the provincial government's vision to become a major provider of agri-aqua products in the region.
He said the facilities were constructed in joint partnership with the Australian government through the Philippines-Australia Local Sustainability (PALS) program which allocated P5.56 million for the project.
The Misamis Occidental provincial government put up a P2.44 million counterpart fund for the project.
The MOAP -- through its famous Dolphin Island, the hatcheries, a resort and the mangrove forest -- is now the major Eco-Tourism Project of this province.
The President also visited the Dolphin Island some five minutes by banca from Sinicaban, where she led the release of two rescued dolphins.
Philippine Project Pushes Aquactic Promotion
PHILIPPINES - The Philippine president has inaugurated a P8-million Marine Finfish Hatchery of the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP). The hatchery is a high priority project, expected to portray and promote aquatic business in the region.
