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Friday, April 02, 2004
Ong: TVC and the Seafdec scientists' inadequacy
By Ted Aldwin Ong
I STOPPED writing about the controversy at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (Seafdec/AQD) after tackling it in the previous months for I can't still see an issue on the claims of the scientists against the management especially AQD chief Dr. Rolando Platon.
The scientists, in fact, were not able to provide concrete answers to the issues I raised. I have been following all the news reports about the controversy in this paper, and after six months of debate, the issues parading in our pages continue to be nothing but a rehash of the previous ones.
Their arguments are nothing but recycled issues. Their stories continue to startle me though. Many documents make an interesting story about them.
I failed to give prominence on one particular area in my previous discussions about the scientists' protest actions -the noble purpose behind the formation of the Philippine Aquaculture Specialists Inc. (Aquaspec). This is the only "noble" thing I can connect to their cause, but somehow it remains a noble idea. This does not prove well for me to reconsider my impression of their arrogance as "scientists."
Twenty scientists and researchers formed Aquaspec Inc. sometime in 1987. Among the 20 members composing the core group, only 10 are left at Seafdec/AQD today, namely, Veronica Alava, Jesus Almendras, Didi Baticados, Myrna Bautista, Erlinda Cruz - Lacierda, Evelyn de Jesus, Fe Estepa, Luis Ma. Garcia, Josefa Tan and Joebert, who serves as the current president of Aquaspec.
I remember Aquaspec after reading the "Clever Deception" article written by the Concerned Scientists and Employees of Seafdec-AQD (Csesa) published in the March 29 issue of this paper. As follows is the paragraph tackling the issue on technology verification and commercialization (TVC). I quote this in relevance to my story, as follows:
"Platon's improper implementation of his flagship projects in aquaculture technology verification and commercialization is a clear example of how Platon has gradually eroded the scientific foundation of developing the aquaculture industry. Indeed, the protesting scientists can see through Platon's clever deception of the true state of affairs of his flagship projects implemented in the guise of aquaculture technology verification and commercialization."
In a letter to Dr. Flor Lacanilao dated March 2, 1987, then Aquaspec president Jesus Juario (now dean of UP College Cebu), wrote: "We wish to inform you that 15 researchers, three research assistants, a research technician, a training officer and representative from the Personnel Section at the Tigbauan Research Station have organized themselves into a non-political and non-sectarian society known as the Philippine Aquaculture Specialists Inc.
The main objectives of the society are to demonstrate at the village the viability of some finfish and prawn culture systems developed by Seafdec/AQD and to develop a model for cooperative ventures of people living in coastal areas to improve their standard of living.
Time and again, many people, especially the big-time fishfarmers have questioned the contribution of the Department to the development of the aquaculture industry in the Philippines and even the production techniques developed by the Department staff. We believe it is high time for us to show them that we, researchers at AQD, are ourselves convinced that the production techniques we have developed will work or will be viable at the village level."
Furthermore, the letter emphasized some important points:
"Our first project will be to demonstrate the viability of our prawn and finfish hatchery production techniques at the village level. Given the absence of external funding, the necessary funds will be provided by the society for its construction and operation. Technicians will be hired to run the hatchery under their guidance and supervision."
In conclusion, the letter states: "We hope that our project, if successful, will a) serve as a model for cooperative ventures of people living in coastal areas; b) attract funding agencies; c) encourage barangays to set up similar projects along the coast, and; d) convince big-time fishfarmers that the Department does have significant contributions to the development of aquaculture industry in the Philippines."
Long before the administration of Dr. Platon, Csesa members were already aware of the significance of TVC. In fact, Aquaspec is the forerunner of what is TVC today, if I were to refer my analysis in the formation of Aquaspec.
I'm puzzled with their integrity in questioning the "improper implementation" of Dr. Platon's TVC program for these scientists were not able to rise above the noble objectives of Aquaspec - to demonstrate their skills and expertise in aquaculture for the development of the aquaculture industry in general.
Seafdec/AQD could have enjoyed financial autonomy today if technology verification and commercialization projects were implemented properly since 1987 with the "guidance and supervision" of these scientists assuming that their project was successful.
But these scientists, claiming world-class status, cannot even prove the applicability of their knowledge and expertise in their own business venture.
Aquaspec wallows in neglect in Barangay Nanga, Guimbal, a town just next to Tigbauan, where Seafdec/AQD is located, and has not "served as a model for cooperative ventures of people living in coastal areas," or has "attracted funding agencies."
For a society of scientists who have a poor track record in the industry it represents, how could they "encourage other barangays to set up similar projects along the coastal areas," or "convince big-time fishfarmers."
If Seafdec/AQD does not have significant contributions to the development of aquaculture industry in the Philippines, nobody should be blamed except the scientists themselves.
The Philippine government has invested so much for their career development and has afforded the cost of their salaries given their status as scientists.
Now they are pointing to others for their inadequacy to implement programs that could deliver change in the industry and could have an impact to the food security program of the government.
(April 2, 2004 issue)
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