They went to the Sta. Filomena Marine Protected Area and Asin Tibook Production Site in Alburquerque; the Barangay Guintaboan fishing ground and Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourcess Multi-Species Hatchery in Ubay; the Mangrove Crab Nursery, Hatchery, and Grow-out Pond and the food processing facility of KAGAMASA in Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.
According to a news release of AFOS Foundation, the learning visit aspires to provide CCCI, as the main local partner of AFOS Foundation in the FISH Visayas Project, with a deeper understanding of the local context in which the project operates.
This includes a macro-level understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and more importantly, environmental conditions. Such contextual understanding is vital for effective project planning, implementation, and evaluation.
It also gave an opportunity for CCCI and AFOS to listen to the local perspective, concerns, and feedback. This information would provide inputs for better and more fitted decision-making in project management and activity implementation.
The FISH VISAYAS Project stands for Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable Habitats is a collaborative effort between CCCI and AFOS to promote sustainable fisheries and related food value chains in Central Visayas.
Facilitated by the AFOS Foundation and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (BCCI), the two-day immersion elicited valuable insights based on local perspectives and a deep understanding of the context of the project sites.
Through this experience, the AFOS and CCCI can improve project planning, execution, and evaluation processes to a whole new level of effectiveness in the four project areas, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
The CCCI delegation included Ms. May Ybanez, Executive Director Emeritus; Ms. Joy Segismar, Executive Director; Ms. Karen Autor, FISH Visayas Coordinator; Ms. Jezreel Cal, BAP Management Trainee; Mr. Jovito Bocado, Executive Assistant; together with entrepreneurs Mr. Rey Calooy, President of RNC Marketing President; and Mr. Gavino Dejito, owner of Green Valley Enterprises.
The AFOS Foundation delegates included Ms. Yvette Hope Labus, Project Manager and Philippine Resident Representative; Ms. Elvira Rivera, Administrative Officer; Ms. Nivani Lasala, Area Coordinator – Cebu; Ms. Mary Ruth Ochavillo, Knowledge Management Coordinator; Mr. Bryan Araneta, Area Coordinator – Bohol; and Ms. Jorammy Cadalin, Field officer – Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
The implementation of the FISH Visayas Project aims to increase and make a sustainable income for the fisherfolk and MSMEs not only in Fisheries but also in Food-related Value Chains in Central Visayas, Philippines.
