Dr. Djovi R. Durante, College President of Batanes State College (BSC), and key BSC officials conducted a courtesy visit with Provincial Governor Hon. Ronald “Jun” Aguto Jr. on October 8, 2025, at the Office of the Provincial Governor. The meeting served as a venue to strengthen institutional linkages and secure support for academic and community development projects.

President Durante formally requested the Governor’s support for the upcoming International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS) event, scheduled to be hosted next year.

The core of the discussion centered on the College’s research and extension initiative, the Science and Technology-based Interventions for Sustainable Tourism in Batanes project.

During the meeting, Mr. Randall Castillo, the Project Leader for Study 4, presented the ongoing development of the project’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based Platform for Tourism. Governor Aguto commended the web portal’s potential, proposing its expansion into a ‘one-stop shop’ for Batanes tourism services.

President Durante subsequently addressed the implementation of the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility (AGRF), a component of the Sustainable Tourism project aimed at addressing water resource management challenges in the province. Governor Aguto expressed his continued support for the AGRF, which is recognized as a vital intervention for water security, and committed to providing the necessary assistance for its successful execution.

In a move to enhance the College’s academic programs, President Durante also proposed a co-management arrangement for the Batanes Resort to serve as a practical laboratory and internship venue for students enrolled in the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) program.

The coordinated efforts discussed between BSC and the Provincial Government underscore a shared commitment to leveraging science, technology, and academic resources for the sustained progress and resilience of Batanes province.