In celebration of the annual National Fisherfolk’s Day, the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and Too-Big-to-Ignore (TBTI) Philippines – the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development in the Philippines – higlighted livelihood programs, social protection, and knowledge transfer that can benefit small-scale fishers across the country.
Joined by 80 small-scale fishers from 28 local government units in region six, the celebration featured the theme “Mangingisdang Handa at Protektado: Kabuhayan, Kaalaman at Kaagapay para sa Matatag na Kinabukasan.”
Held at the UPV Auditorium, Iloilo City campus last 30 May 2026, the program opened with a message from Dr. Clement C. Camposano, Chancellor of UPV, where he underscored the importance of protecting municipal waters against threats from commercial fishers. A pre-recorded video message of Ms. Remia Aparri, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 6, was shown afterward. Director Aparri reassured the small-scale fisherfolk in attendance that the agency fully supports their fight to protect the 15-kilometer municipal waters of the country. Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, UPV Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Executive Director of TBTI Philippines, gave an overview of the day’s entire program.
The first segment of the program titled “Kabuhayan na Kayang Simulan: Ready-to-Access Livelihood Programs for Small-Scale Fisherfok” featured resources speakers from various government agencies, including Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Cooperative Development Authority, Technical Skills and Development Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
For the second segment titled “Proteksyon ng Maliliit na Mangingisda: Social Protection You Can Access Today,” the participants listend to representatives from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Landbank of the Philippines, Pag-IBIG/Home Development Mutual Fund, Social Security System, and Commission on Higher Education.
The third segment titled “Kaalaman para sa Kita: Practical Knowledge and Technologies for Small-Scale Fisherfolk” featured speakers from the Department of Science and Technology and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department.
Labeled as “Aton and Kinse,” the final segment featured a talk by Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio of OCEANA Philippines, where she gave updates on the status of appeals lodged against a December 2023 Malabon Regional Trial Court (RTC) ruling in the Mercidar case. The RTC ruling declared some provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654) as unconstitutional, specifically the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small-scale fishers.
Acting as reactors to the message of Atty. Eisma-Osorio were Hon. Rolando B. Distura, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo; Ms. Joni D. Valladarez, Regional Fisherfolk Director; and Mr. Dennis F. Calvan, Senior Manager for Policy and Government Engagement of Rare Philippines.
Member higher education institutions (HEIs) of TBTI Philippines present during the program include University of Antique, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, Northern Iloilo State University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Guimaras State University, Partido State University, Mindanao State University at Naawan, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, and Batangas State University-ARASOF Nasugbu.
The program was sponsored, in part, by BFAR 6, SSF Guidelines Research Group, GeNA Research Group, Rare Philippines, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, University of Antique, Iloilo State University of Fisheries, Guimaras State University, and OCEANA Philippines, among others.
Written by GT Mabilog
Photos courtesy of Alven Polido, IPO
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