The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas (UPV-CFOS) participated in a Small Group Discussion on aquaculture on July 30, 2024 at Citadines Amigo, Iloilo City.
Asst. Prof. Fredson Huervana of the Institute of Aquaculture represented UPV in the discussion upon the invitation of the Iloilo Business Club, Inc., a premiere non-stock, non-profit business organization in Iloilo, to explore key developments and challenges in aquaculture in Panay and Guimaras as well as potential collaborations.
Huervana, together with representatives from relevant government agencies, industry, academe, and non-profit organizations, provided comments, recommendations, and shared insights on important issues confronting the aquaculture industry in said localities.
The dialogue focused on strengthening the Iloilo Fish Pond Owners Association and developing basic roadmap as input to the Blue Economy TWG of the Regional Research Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI.
Moreover, the meeting tackled problems and concerns of milkfish stakeholders in Panay and Guimaras specifically those related to fry sources, quality, shortage, increase production volume, pricing, competition from producers in Luzon, and market expansion. Traditional and modern technology-driven methods, diversification into other aquaculture species including shrimp and eel, encouraging new investors, increasing fish cage productions, utilizing state-universities and colleges (SUCs) in-campus area as model aquaculture farms and promoting a business model to encourage entrepreneurs to become aquaculturists or fish farmers were all highlighted.
The body also agreed to establish the Panay and Guimaras Fish Alliance of hatchery operators, fishpond owners, processors, academe, research institutions, and relevant regional government agencies namely the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and DOST.
An Aquaculture Investment Forum was decided to be held on March 2025.
Present at the Small Group Discussion were Ma. Luisa Segovia , Vice President, Iloilo Business Club; Engr. Rowen Gelonga - Regional Director, DOST RO VI; Mr. Jessraf Palmares, President, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines / President, Iloilo Federation for Information Technology; Ms. Milyn Leghid, Business Development Officer, UPV; Mr. Tim Arandela, Fishpond Owner; Dr. Roy Villanueva, Director, Resource Generation Office, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), Dr. Leobert Dela Peña - Research Division Head, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center- Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD); Dr. Roger Edward Mamauag - Technology Verification and Extension Division Head, SEAFDEC; Dr. Jerome Genodepa - Consultant, SEAFDEC/AQD; and Mr. Rheniel Dayrit - Technical Assistant, SEAFDEC/AQD. (With sources from Asst. Prof. Fredson Huervana and Iloilo Business Club)
