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Retired faculty members donate library materials to UP Visayas University Library

Two retired faculty members donated library materials to UP Visayas University Library.  

In memory of the late Prof. Pepito M. Fernandez, his family donated a total of two hundred forty reading materials (books, magazines, journals, newsletters, etc.). Meanwhile, three hundred fifty-three were donated by Dr. Jose P. Peralta.

Prof. Pepito M. Fernandez served the University for thirty-five years as an academician. He was a well-loved teacher and respected by his colleagues. In addition, he had a flair for administrative leadership. And to name a few, he has served as Secretary of the College of Fisheries, Chairperson of the Department of Inland Fisheries of College of Fisheries when it was still in Diliman, and Dean of the College (now named College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences).

But most importantly, Prof. Fernandez was the pioneer Vice Chancellor for Administration of UP Visayas from 1987 to 1989 when the Miagao campus opened. He was appointed by then UPV Chancellor Rogelio Juliano. As VCA, he has faced many challenges during those times. Among others, intermittent water supply, no regular transport, no cafeteria, no telephone lines inside the campus where faculty and staff transferees were not immune to the sense of isolation and the difficulty of adjusting to life in Miagao, living in a somewhat isolated environment.

Prof. Fernandez made some contributions to the national landscape. He advocated for the passing of RA 8435, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, along with former UPV Chancellor Flor Lacanilao. He was Dean of CFOS at that time and rallied the entire college for support. The bill was implemented on February 9, 1998. 

RA 8435 puts measures to modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country to enhance their profitability, and prepare said sectors for the challenges of globalization through an adequate, focused, and rational delivery of necessary support services. 

Along with his colleagues at CFOS, he was a signatory of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550), implemented on February 25, 1998. RA 8550 provides for the development, management, and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources. 

On the other hand, Dr. Jose P. Peralta, University Scientist I, is a Food Engineer, and a retired Professor of the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas, with a very broad experience in post-harvest fisheries. He holds a degree in BS Chemical Engineering from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. He pursued his studies further and earned his M. Eng. in Industrial Engineering, with an emphasis on Operation Research in 1984 from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He went to the USA and finished his Doctor of Philosophy, in 1990; with an emphasis on Food Process Engineering from Texas A & M University, Texas. He is also a PRC licensed Chemical Engineer and a Fisheries Technologist.

Between 1998 to 2017, he served UP Visayas as Director of the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, Director of the Institute of Fish Policy & Development Studies, and College Secretary, all of which are with the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

He has also served as a Member and Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group under the Dept. of Agriculture/Bureau of Agriculture & Fisheries Standards, whose work resulted in some Phil National Standards, in Fisheries, as registered with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Also served as the Executive Director of the Phil. Fisheries Institutions Network, Inc.

He is a member and affiliated with several professional and civic organizations, including; the Philippine Phycological Society (PPS), Rotary Club of Miagao - Rotary International District 3850; Timpuyog Ti Amianan, Reg. 6, Inc., Philippine Institute of Food Technologists, Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers; American Society for Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), and the Alpha Epsilon Honor Society of Agricultural Engineers (Texas Chapter).

He has created and invented several processes, prototypes, and utility designs in post-harvest fisheries; published books &articles, and presented papers on post-harvest fisheries, plant management, food issues, and policy advocacies; and served as a Consultant to SMC Agribusiness, CIDA, USAID, UNDP, SGV, and DMJM Far East, EMB/DENR and LGU’s, on various developmental projects.  

Dr. Peralta received several citations/awards, visiting professorship, and research endeavors abroad. (Ms. Ninfa Bandorio, with bio notes from Dr. Peralta, Soledad Garibay, and Lyncen Fernandez; UPV-PIO)

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