Representatives from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), UP Visayas and the local government unit of Leganes discussed plans to improve the livelihood of the fisherfolk in the locality.
A team from CFOS led by Dean Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap and its public service coordinator, Asst. Prof. Jerry Ian Leonida, met with the municipal officials, department heads, and barangay captains of the coastal barangays for the presentation of the results of the public service activity, “Fisheries Training Needs Assessment (TNA) in Leganes and its Environs.”
The CFOS, through the College Public Service Program, conducted the TNA to identify the capabilities and the training needs of the fisherfolk, fisherfolk organizations, and other organizations in Leganes. The CFOS will then design the trainings for the beneficiaries based on the gathered data and the priority areas of the LGU.
The Brackishwater Aquaculture Center (BAC), a training facility of the Institute of Aquaculture, CFOS is located in this municipality. Hence, the conduct of the undertaking in said municipality.
Asst. Prof. Leonida, the project leader of the public service activity, re-introduced the project and its results before the barangay officials of Nabitasan, Napnud, Camangay, Bigke, Gua-an, and M.V. Hechanova and members of the fisherfolk organizations.
Also in attendance were the town’s municipal administrator, Mr. David Israel Sinay, on behalf of Mayor Vicente P. Jaen II, Sangguniang Bayan Member for Fisheries, and representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO). The presentation was held at the Leganes Legislative Building on July 29, 2022, to consult with the participants and to discuss the ways forward.
The report that summarized the issues and concerns, trainings attended, and proposed trainings of the stakeholders was the outcome of the Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) conducted last year.
Talking based on her experience in doing public service and extension projects, Dean Yap underscored the importance of the TNA, marketing direction, and sustainable resource use to come up with projects and activities for the barangays with holistic design in partnership with the LGU and private sectors.
“TNA was conducted to see what trainings the stakeholders are equipped with, what else is needed, and what needs to be focused on,” Yap said. “Marketing is one of the most crucial problems. Training without proper marketing direction can be problematic.”
She added that the status of the resources being exploited must also be considered while helping people with their livelihood. “A local catch, for instance, created a chain from producers to processors to market. We should investigate the available resources, determine the necessary capacities, and will be packaged to incorporate sustainable use of resources.”
The dean expressed the College’s desire to provide and develop the necessary training that can be implemented to improve the fisheries industry in Leganes, such as training in post-harvest technologies, aquaculture, capture fisheries, and policies. These trainings can be done at the BAC.
UPV and Leganes have an ongoing arrangement on the use of the BAC.
Yap emphasized the significance of the involvement and commitment from the LGU, stakeholders, and other partners for the success of the project.
For this reason, it was agreed during the meeting that both institutions would enter into an agreement that would outline the duties and responsibilities of each party.
Speaking on behalf of the mayor, Sinay expressed his gratitude to UPV-CFOS for bringing its services and expertise to their people. He also gave their commitment to future collaborations with UPV.
The project team is composed of team leader Asst. Prof. Jerry Ian Leonida and members Mr. Fredson Huervana, Mr. Christian James Morales, Ms. Ernestina Peralta, Ms. Rose Mueda, Ms. Genna Serofia, Assoc. Prof. Liah Catedrilla, Ms. Marie June Esprela, Ms. Ruby Napata, Ms. Rosy Janeo, and Ms. Lenilyn Gallos.
