| Concordia College of Benguet (CCB), in partnership with the Sekiguchi Global Research Association (SGRA), conducted a Regional Seminar on Sustainable Shared Growth and Agricultural Development on February 12, 2015 at the Longlong Campus of CCB. The Seminar was the first regional seminar under the series of conferences organized by SGRA and its national organizing committee in Manila. These conferences sought to promote the sharing of development experiences and approaches on sustainable shared growth in Japan and the Philippines.
Mr. Jung Ho “Husky” Ryu, Honorary President of CCB, gave the opening remarks and expressed his warm welcome to speakers and participants in the CCB campus. The seminar was attended by Director Paramon Furigay of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Mayor Roberto Canuto of the Municipality of Kapangan, staff from DAR-Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), staff from the Municipality of Kapangan, representatives from Land Bank of the Philippines, CCB faculty, and students. The Seminar featured a talk by Dr. Ferdinand Maquito, SGRA Philippine Representative and Adjunct Professor of Economics at Temple University in Tokyo. Dr. Maquito explained the evolution of the shared growth paradigm starting with the experience of several Asian countries in achieving economic growth accompanied by a more equitable distribution of income. He also connected the concept of shared growth with sustainability, highlighting the need to ensure that the fruits of development will be felt not only by those living at present but also by future generations.The Seminar also discussed various studies on sustainable agriculture, tourism, and local economic development, specifically in CAR. Dr. Jane Toribio, Chief of the Field Operations Division of DAR-CAR led the presentors coming from DAR and from the Municipality of Kapangan. Participants in the seminar had an opportunity to ask questions and interact with the speakers through an open forum. The open forum was moderated by Dean Sergio Andal Jr. of CCB. Mayor Roberto Canuto of Kapangan also shared his views on the importance of sustainable shared growth, partnership, and education. |
