BANGA, Aklan—The Aklan State University (ASU), considered for its excellence in agriculture programs in Western Visayas, is focusing on research and development (R&D) in renewable energy.
ASU President Danilo Abayon said that the renewable-energy program includes that from ocean wave and bioethanol from nipa, among others. Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, who visited ASU New Washington Campus last week, announced that the Department of Science and Technology is giving around P73-million fund for a two-year research on the fabrication of a boat fueled by both ocean-wave energy and gas.
Besides ocean-wave energy, Abayon said the ASU is collaborating with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte for a research on bioethanol from nipa.
“The MMSU collaboration has a huge funding of P150 million for bioenergy project. ASU is committed to do research on bioethanol from nipa in Aklan,” he said.
It was learned that both Sens. Loren B. Legarda and Sherwin T. Gatchalian have expressed support for the project.
“In the ASU, we still have more research and development initiatives, but we are awaiting official collaboration through a public-private partnership,” Abayon said.