Inspired by the motto, “Learning while having fun”, the Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences conducted an Educational Tour in Ilocos Region last February 24-28, 2014.
The activity was participated by one hundred and forty seven Forestry students and spearheaded by For. RB J. Gallego, Director, Department Director together with For. Michelle A. Resueño, For. Jayson Tolentino, For. Benson Ramos, For. Efren Agbayani and Mr. Joselito Sanchez.
The main goal of the tour is to give the students an overview and exposure of the Ilocandia Region which aims to enhance their knowledge on how forestry education could fill the gap of resource scarcity and unlimited demand for forest product in Region 1.
Highlight of the trip is their visit to Mariano Marcos State University e-Kawayan technology signified by the development of the Kawayan Tile Maker (KTM), a tile machine that can convert kawayan poles directly into slats of different sizes that can be made into parquet, commodities and laminated boards.
The group feasted their eyes and took pleasure as they also visit historical places in Vigan in Ilocos Sur and Laoag in Ilocos Norte. The students were amazed by the preserved rich heritage of the country’s colonial past shown by the historical sites such as Burgos and Salcedo Plazas, Crisologo Museum, Marcos Museum and Mausoleum. Students appreciated even more Ilocandia’s wealthy culture as they walked along the Heritage Village and were introduced to Ilocos’ thriving burnay (jar) industry.
They also went to various tourist attractions like Malacañang of the North, Paoay Church and Baluarte, an interactive wildlife sanctuary where you can walk with the ostrich, roar with the tigers, and play with the ponies.Going to Laoag City, the group was awed by the magnificence of the Bangui Windmills(Wind Turbines),an example of renewable energy resources. The group was also stunned by the scenic view of Pagudpud Beach (Boracay of the North) and La Paz Sand Dunes, a protected sandy coastal dessert.
The tour was indeed a fun-filled activity and educational at the same time.