The McKeough Marine Center (MMC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 8 for the proposed Xavier University Marine Station in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

Among those present during the ceremony were XU President Fr Roberto Yap SJ, Research and Social Outreach Vice President Dr Hilly Quiaoit, Vice President for Administration Bro Noel Cantago,SJ, MMC Director Fr Mars Tan SJ, Biology Chair Elaine Villaluz, Architect Ernest Soriano, Hammerman Construction Manager Mr Gil Macarat, Engr Noemi Dacudao and Mr Ramil Pajo of the Physical Plant Office, Solana, Jasaan barangay officials, XU RSO, MMC, and Communications Office staff and other guests from the University.

Fr Bobby in his speech gave three reasons why he is fully supportive of the marine station: first, to give due recognition to the pioneering work of Fr James McKeough SJ who started marine studies in Mindanao; to actualize the University’s commitment to care for the environment; and to reinvigorate further the research capabilities of the University.

The planned Marine Station will be equipped with outdoor and indoor tanks of flowing sea or freshwater; a wet and a dry indoor laboratories; a controlled room for experiments and microculture; a pump and aeration system; a fully equipped diving unit (including compressor); offices; and a space for IEC activities. The marine station aims to support researches requiring land-and ocean-based set-ups and field/laboratory experiments for Biology and Marine Biology courses.

Adjacent to the future marine station is the existing activity center composed of a multi-purpose hall, a 2-storey house, and several cottages, for trainings and capacity building activities of the MMC and other stakeholders.

MMC also plans to develop the bay and coastal areas of the marine station into field sites for future on-site experiments/projects of the university.