November 12, 2022

SAMMY A. MALVAS
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES - CALABARZON

To the person bearing the position stated above:

Greetings!

I am Neil Justin Martinez, a 5th year BS Architecture student from the premier architecture
school in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas- College of Architecture (UST-CA). I
am currently doing research for my undergraduate thesis of which I am proposing a A Vertical
Floating Farm & Community Learning Center integrating Smart Floating Farm and
Aquaponics as a new farming method.

Albeit few, the Philippines located on the coast which are endowed with water bodies that are
suitable for aquaculture, also agriculture is one of the primary sources of income in the
Philippines. Despite this, we are not the country that produces the most vegetables, rice, fisheries,
aqua, and marine goods. In fact, we continue to import some rice, vegetables, fisheries and
marine goods, as well as the fingerlings used to raise our national fish, bangus and tilapia.

The study begins by responding to the dilemma that the Cavite City have been facing. The illegal
fishing uses ineffective fishing structures and strategies by the fisherfolk turning fishing
structures to unwanted waste when a typhoon hits which lead to biodiversity disturbance and
threatens the overall state of livelihood in the cavite city also the decreasing sources for
agriculture because of conversion of agricultural lands to commercial and residential land causing
the displacement of local farmers and fisherfolks. Cavite City's local community and environment
would be negatively impacted, and the city's economy and way of life would be threatened, if
these issues were to be allowed to fester.

An interview and discussion with you, Sir Malvas, would certainly be a very helpful and
significant part of my research. Therefore, I would like to request to have a scheduled virtual
interview session at your convenient date and time. Rest assured that all data gathered will be
dealt with the utmost confidentiality.
It would be a great honor for me to have the opportunity to hear your substantial insights and
answers to the queries related to the topic. Attached to this letter are the questions that would be
raised during the interview for your convenience.

Thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to read this request. I shall wait for your
reply. You may contact me through mail: neiljustin.martinez.archi@ust.edu.ph ; or through
mobile; 09063561604 so that we can discuss the schedule.

Yours truly,

MARTINEZ, NEIL JUSTIN A. Arch. JONATHAN V. MANALAD, PhD

Researcher Thesis Adviser
College of Architecture College of Architecture
University of Santo Tomas University of Santo Tomas