24/02/2026
๐ฃ๐๐๐ง, ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐จโ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ด๐ผ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐พ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ข๐ป-๐ฆ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐
The Philippine Association of Food Technologists (PAFT), in partnership with the Department of Food Science and Technology (DFoST) faculty, successfully hosted a Global Aquaculture Specialist for an On-Site Advisory Visit at the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)โSogod Campus Library Theater on February 24, 2026.
The mission centered on strengthening knowledge in post-harvest handling, quality assurance, fermentation technologies, and various innovations within the food and beverage industries.
University President Dr. Jude A. Duarte formally opened the program with a welcoming address. Dr. Ingrid M. Uy, Director for External Linkages and International Affairs, extended her greetings and recognized the attendees, while Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, introduced the distinguished guest speaker.
The event was further supported by Dr. Dewoowoogen P. Baclayon, Director of SLSUโBontoc Campus, and Maasin City Councilor Mikhael Leonardo Mercado, who both expressed their commitment to advancing aquaculture and food technology initiatives.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Byron Marcelo Hidalgo-Zambrano, Chief Operating Officer of the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea (FIA PNG) and Founder and Director of Seafoodmatter, shared valuable insights from his professional journeyโfrom employee to entrepreneur. He highlighted key developments in tuna processing, technological advancements in seafood quality improvement, and emerging opportunities for innovation. Students actively participated in an engaging question-and-answer segment that enriched the discussion.
The program concluded with a message of appreciation delivered by Dr. Ramil T. Uy, Provincial Director of the Department of Science and Technology โ Provincial Science and Technology Office Southern Leyte (DOST-PSTO), on behalf of the partner institutions.