His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino is the Keynote Speaker during this weekend’s 12th National Tuna Congress unfolding here in General Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines!

This we got from a draft of the program of the 12th National Tuna Congress from the Congress Secretariat.

"PRES. NOYNOY AQUINO DURING THE QUEEN OF MINDANAO PAGEANT AT ROBINSONS PLACE-GENSAN DURING THE KALILANGAN FESTIVAL IN FEB 2010."

President Noynoy will speak before the biggest annual gathering of the tuna industry leaders and stakeholders during a time when the industry faces one of the most difficult chapters in its history with the imposition of a two-year ban on fishing for tuna on a large portion of the Pacific by regulatory bodies.

For sure, everyone will be very eager  to hear his take on the congress theme, “Be Counted… Face the Challenges And make a Difference”.  A test case for the President, his response would better be good and beneficial for everyone involved in this sector.

As a follow to P-Noy’s speech,  Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, of Policy Planning & Research, will discuss the topic “Plans of  the New Administration for the Fishing Industry”.  Nice!

After the formal Opening of the Congress by 12th NTC Chair Marfenio Tan, GenSan City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio will be welcoming the delegates.  She will be followed shorty by a brief introduction of the President of the Republic by Representative Jun Acharon of the First District of South Cotabato.

For the rest of the topics and personages assigned to them, check out the draft of the program to the 12th National Tuna Congress below.  Our thanks to SFFAII Executive Director Aian Fredeluces for making this available to us.

12th NTC Draft Program_14

That same evening, all roads lead to Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, Sarangani Province where the annual KARAGATAN AWARDS and Farewell Dinner will be held.

A Tuna Congress Exhibit will also be conducted at the congress venue, the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center beginning on September 2, 2010 and until the 3rd.. Watch out for it and check out the latest equipment and most modern trends in fishing, shipping, canning and processing tuna and other marine products.