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December 22 2025

ISUFST Opens Batch 2 of UEE Applications for AY ‘26–‘27

Students who missed the first round of applications now have another opportunity as the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) officially opens Batch 2 of its University Entrance Examination (UEE) applications for Academic Year 2026–2027, following strong public demand.

From December 22, 2025, until February 7, 2026, people can apply for Batch 2. They can do so online or in person at any of ISUFST’s five campuses. The Batch 2 entrance exam will be on February 28, 2026. The Batch 1 exam, for which applications were due on December 12, will be on January 17, 2026.

University officials said the opening of a second batch responds to numerous requests from students, parents, and partner schools—particularly those who faced internet limitations, delayed school documents, late college admission campaign of senior high schools, or personal constraints during the first application period.

“We listened,” said ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. “Many students reached out because they still wanted to apply but needed more time. Opening Batch 2 is our way of keeping education accessible and making sure no deserving learner is left behind.”

Applicants may submit their requirements through the following channels:

ONLINE – via the official ISUFST admissions portal.

ONSITE – at any ISUFST Registrar’s Office during regular office hours

Students are reminded to prepare the following basic requirements: Completed application form, Recent 2×2 ID photo, and Certification of enrollment signed by the School Head or Principal.

For more than six decades, ISUFST has served learners across fisheries, marine sciences, education, agriculture, technology, and management. Today, with over 8,500 students, the opening of Batch 2 reaffirms the university’s promise—since 1957—to keep education accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the future.

For inquiries, email asro@isufst.edu.ph or follow ISUFST’s official social media pages for announcements.

With Batch 2 now open, ISUFST reminds aspiring students: the door is still open—and your future can still begin here.

(Herman Lagon | PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter

December 16 2025

100 HEI Leaders from 28 Universities Take Oath to Advance Micro-Credentials

ISUFST Admin Activities

Bacolod City—In a landmark moment for Philippine higher education, more than 100 university executives representing 28 higher education institutions (HEIs) across Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region stood together this Saturday, December 13, to take the “Micro-Credentials for the Future” Pledge of Commitment—a united response to CHED’s newly released CMO No. 1, Series of 2025, which formally introduces micro-credentialing as a national higher education strategy.

The oath-taking capped the two-day seminar-workshop on “Micro-Credentials for Academic Advancement: Strengthening Higher Education with a Global Perspective,” jointly organized by CHED Regional Offices VI and XVIII in partnership with the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) as co-organizer.

A Regional Response to a National Directive

With CMO 1 s. 2025 laying out the policy framework for micro-credentials in the Philippines, CHED RO VI and CHED RO XVIII convened the workshop as their first major regional initiative to help HEIs interpret, contextualize, and operationalize the newly mandated system. The activity also became one of the earliest regional embodiments of CHED’s newly launched ACHIEVE Agenda, the Commission’s 7-point higher education transformation roadmap for 2025–2030, which highlights Advanced and Accessible Lifelong Learning, Expanded Internationalization, and stronger, future-ready HEI systems.

The gathered university heads—vice presidents, deans, directors, department and program heads—took the historic pledge as a commitment to transform the national directive into concrete, localized programs for learners in their respective communities.

Before the oath, participants were reminded: “Micro-credentials are not trends or buzzwords. They are our response to the real needs of our communities—reminding us that learning must stay flexible, human, and accessible to those who depend on our institutions.”

With right hands raised, they declared in unison:

“We pledge our unity and commitment to lifelong learning.

We vow to uphold CHED’s vision, to design micro-credentials that empower learners, and to collaborate for excellence and innovation.

Together, we stand as catalysts of change for our students, our regions, and our nation.

We pledge. We commit. We shall fulfill.”

Day 1: Framework, Dialogue, and Design

The two-day workshop opened on December 12 with discussions led by micro-credentials expert Dr. Greg Pawilen, who outlined global models and emerging credentialing trends. ISUFST VPAA Dr. Joan M. Belga also shared “ISUFST’s Journey Toward Building Micro-Credential Ecosystems,” offering practical insights from the university’s early adoption efforts.

ISUFST resource speakers Dr. Stephen Raymund Jinon, Dr. Wenda Panes, and Dr. Herman Lagon capped the day with sessions on policy alignment, technology-driven design, and micro-credentialing for psychological first aid.

The day ended with HEIs drafting their own micro-credential proposals aligned with CMO 1 s. 2025—outputs presented on Day 2 for feedback and refinement.

Dr. Alvarez: “ISUFST is trailblazing”

During the afternoon program, CHED Region XVIII Director and former CHED Region VI Director Dr. Raul Alvarez expressed gratitude for ISUFST’s leadership. “ISUFST is truly trailblazing,” he said.

He also linked the regional workshop to CHED’s new ACHIEVE Agenda, emphasizing the ‘A’—Advanced and Accessible Lifelong Learning. “In our push for micro-credentials,” he said, “we are operationalizing what the ‘A’ in ACHIEVE stands for: advanced and accessible lifelong learning. This is not just a slogan. It is our responsibility. Every Filipino, regardless of age or circumstance, must have pathways to keep learning and improving.”

“We thank ISUFST for openly sharing its journey. When you go home, we hope you bring at least one concrete micro-credential idea that fits your school and community. Micro-credentials are something we have missed for a long time—learners need small, focused tasks that help them return to their fields more efficient and better prepared.”

He concluded: “Our job in higher education is to build competencies. Micro-credentials are one of the tools that will help us do exactly that.”

Day 2: Presentations and a Collective Promise

Day 2 continued with proposal presentations and collaborative critique. Chief Education Program Specialist Danebeth Narzoles of CHED RO VI reinforced another ACHIEVE pillar—the ‘E’ for Expanded and Impact-Driven Internationalization, noting how micro-credentials can help local HEIs enter global learning ecosystems through stackability, mobility, and cross-border recognition. She proudly highlighted that Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region recently ranked as the second runner up nationwide for Best Internationalization Initiative, a recognition she described as “proof that our regions are ready for global engagement.”

The final day centered on proposal sharing, collaborative critique, and validation. Facilitators said the process surfaced strong models and clarified shared challenges, giving schools clearer direction for implementation.

But it was the Pledge of Commitment that marked the workshop’s emotional and symbolic high point—signifying a unified regional movement toward flexible, stackable, skills-based learning aligned with ACHIEVE’s thrusts.

Strengthening CHED–ISUFST Synergy

ISUFST’s delegation—Dr. Belga, Dr. Jinon, Dr. Panes, Dr. Lagon, Dr. Joana Paula Biñas, Mr. Jonard Verdeflor, Dr. Michle Celeste, Dr. Michelle Bales, Mr. Dave Allan Tagacay, and Dr. Benjamin Cornelio Jr.—served as co-facilitators, technical leads, and secretariat support.

Coming shortly after the CHED–ISUFST Creative Works collaboration last October, this workshop signals deepening regional synergy in shaping higher education innovation.

As the two-day event closed, one belief resonated among all 28 universities present: Higher education must evolve with the times—but always remain rooted in the lived realities of the communities it serves.

(Herman Lagon | PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter

December 12 2025

ISUFST clinches its FIRST ICON AWARD

ISUFST Admin Recognitions

The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) marked a historic moment in its 68-year journey after receiving national distinction at the Commission on Higher Education’s Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards on December 10, 2025, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

CHED holds its annual ICONS Awards to celebrate Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for their crucial role in championing the country’s higher education sector on the international stage. The ICONS Awards 2025 acknowledges Philippine HEIs that are beginning to show up in international ranking tables, celebrating not just the data but the stories behind them—the push for sustainability, the widening of ASEAN awareness, the growing spirit of global engagement. It is also a space where the visionaries and everyday workers behind these strides are honored.

For the first time, ISUFST joins the roster of ICONS awardees—a milestone that reflects the university’s rising presence beyond the shoreline and its growing impact on the country’s higher education landscape.

Representing the university at the ceremony was Dr. Jeanette G. Bayona, Director of the Office of International Affairs and Linkages, who carried the pride of the ISUFST community as she received the award. For her, the recognition felt deeply personal for a university built from the quiet perseverance of coastal communities.

“ISUFST may be a small university by national standards, but our dreams for our students have always been big,” Dr. Bayona said. “This award tells us that our efforts—to connect, to collaborate, and to open global doors for our learners—are finally being seen. It inspires us to do even more.”

This ICONS honor comes at a turning point for ISUFST, which has been quietly building its global connections through collaborations, faculty upskilling, and programs that bring the world closer to its coastal campus. As President Dr. Nordy D. Siason, Jr., CESO VI noted, the award captures the university’s spirit as much as its achievements.

“This is a milestone shaped by many hands—teachers who give more than what is required, students who dare to dream beyond our shores, and communities who believe in the promise of education,” Dr. Siason said. “For the first time in our history, ISUFST has been recognized on a national stage for internationalization. This is a victory we dedicate to the families and fisherfolk who built this university from the ground up.”

He added that the ICONS recognition strengthens ISUFST’s resolve to keep improving.

“We will continue creating programs and partnerships that honor our roots in fisheries while pushing us toward global relevance,” he said.

ISUFST also marked two more “firsts” this year—its inclusion in the UI GreenMetric and the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, both affirming its identity, especially in Life Below Water. For a university shaped by the sea and the families who depend on it, these recognitions feel like small waves turning into big tides. As ISUFST turns this new page, it carries with it a warm promise of a more connected and sustainable future for the next generation. (Julius Ruger Hermano | Herman Lagon | OIAL | PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufst #isufstcommunity #pammcostoriesthatmatter

December 8 2025

ISUFST Secures First-Ever Spot in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings

ISUFST Admin Recognitions

The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) has taken a meaningful step onto the global sustainability stage, earning its first-ever placement in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, securing 1102nd out of 1,745 universities worldwide. It is also third overall in Western Visayas, next to WVSU and ISATU. For many ISUFSTians, this recognition is a simple but meaningful affirmation and concrete transformation: their everyday efforts are truly making an impact.

The 15th UI GreenMetric Ranking measures how these universities worldwide commit to climate responsibility—from clean energy to waste, water, transport, and sustainability education. This year’s theme highlights how campuses must make sustainability part of their story, not just their projects.

ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., CESO VI, shared, “This milestone is more than a ranking—it’s a reminder that change starts with simple choices done consistently.” “We thank the dedicated ISUFST team who worked tirelessly on the GreenMetric documentation and our faculty, staff, students, and partner communities who prove every day that protecting our environment is shared work.”

ISUFST’s sustainability footprint is composed of lived stories—student-led mangrove plantings, community-managed marine sites, climate lessons rooted in experience, and campus-wide efforts to reduce waste and conserve energy. The Agri-Ecotourism Farm in Bongloy, ISUFST Dingle Campus, embodies this work by merging environmental learning with livelihood opportunities. These efforts show that sustainability here is not just compliance—it is culture.

As the nation’s sole fisheries university, ISUFST’s GreenMetric ranking affirms its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that shape the future of the agri-fisheries sector and the communities it uplifts. It is worth noting that it also secures the 57th spot among 89 participating institutions in the Philippines.

The recognition also supports ISUFST’s vision to become a purpose-driven and globally engaged institution. The milestone follows ISUFST’s recent CHED recognitions and its entry into the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

“Sustainability outlives us,” said Dr. Siason. “We do this for our students today and the communities they will someday lead.”

ISUFST moves forward steadily—working with partners, learning from its communities, and choosing greener paths, one step at a time. (Rex Paulino | Herman Lagon | PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter

December 1 2025

ISUFST PAMMCO Ambassadors Shine in the 16th Gusting Awards

ISUFST Admin Activities, Recognitions

Five young ambassadors of the loilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) Public Affairs, Marketing, and Media Communications Office (PAMMCO) have ignited the stage as they joined the 16th Gusting journalism training and workshop held at University of San Agustin Auditorium, November 29-30, 2025.

Themed “Beyond the Byline: Journalism as a Watchdog against Disinformation for Campus and Beyond,” the event was participated in by 750 students from 51 schools in Panay, Negros and Cebu.

Among the winning ISUFSTian PAMMCO Ambassadors are:

– Lagradante, Crystel – 1st Place, News Writing (Filipino)

– Adonis Pango – 2nd Place Short Reels

– Jovie Kate Lorca – 3rd Place Feature Writing (English)

Alongsde them were ambassadors Tiffany Anne Sullesa, and Dein Andrey Daguro, representing Tiwi, Dingle, and Dumangas campuses.

The five are part of a group of studentscalled PAMMCO ambassadors, who applied and committed to assist ISUFST in its effort to “show and tell (ISUFST) stories that matter” to the community through the different mediums of communication and public affairs initiatives.

It is worth noting that the two-day affair covered traditional and contemporary journalistic platforms, including news, feature, editorial, column, and sports writing, copyreading and headlining, video editing, broadcasting, vlogging, editorial cartooning, page layouting and design, social media content creation, reels editing, and media and digital ethics, among others.

To elevate the level of training, it had national media experts and practitioners from Rappler; ABS-CBN, SunStar,, and the academe as its resource speakers, facilitators, judges, and discussants. This included ISUFST’s PAMMCO Director Herman Lagon, a regular columnist of 15 newspapers nationwide, who covered feature, editorial, and column writing. (

Crystel P. Lagradante |

Adonis Pango | PAMMCO)

November 20 2025

Localization of Women’s and Children’s Policies (LWCP) Project Policy Forum

ISUFST Admin Activities, Extension, Gender and Development, International Affairs, Research

October 31 2025

ISUFST, WVSU, and San Enrique Hold Inception Meeting for STEP UP Mental Health Project

ISUFST Admin Extension

The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), in partnership with the West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Enrique, held an inception meeting for the STEP UP Project on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the San Enrique Tourism Hall, San Enrique, Iloilo. The meeting formally set the direction for the two-year initiative designed to strengthen the municipality’s mental health and psychosocial support programs for teachers and professionals.

The gathering, hosted by the LGU of San Enrique through the town’s Tourism Office, brought together experts, educators, and local leaders for what ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. called “the first of many steps toward building a more caring and compassionate learning community.”

The STEP UP Project, short for San Enrique Training for Educators and Professionals in Uplifting Psychosocial Support, is an ISUFST-initiated program that aims to train guidance advocates and teachers in providing mental health and emotional support to students. Developed by ISUFST’s guidance and education team, the project invited WVSU’s College of Education as a partner to expand its pool of expert trainers and technical specialists in counseling and psychological first aid.

“STEP UP was born out of our desire to respond to the growing emotional and mental health needs in schools,” said Project Leader Dr. Herman M. Lagon, who designed the initiative. “We envisioned it as a bridge between expertise and empathy—where teachers, counselors, and local leaders work together to ensure that no learner is left unsupported.”

The inception meeting, which started at 10:30 a.m., gathered eight guidance counselors from WVSU, led by Dr. Amabel Tangco-Siason, Project Team Leader and creator of the Competent and Responsive Education (CaRE) toolkit, and former College of Education Dean Dr. Hilda Montaño. They were joined by Dr. Rejie F. Palmos, Dr. Baby Rose G. Robles, Prof. Jan Iris Faye M. Basbas, Prof. Gift D. Tragico, and Prof. Jennet F. Pajura.

Representing ISUFST were President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., Guidance Counselors Dr. Imelda Arenga and Mrs. Junna Mari Pacardo, Psychometrician Mr. Dwight Deslate, and Guidance Advocate Ms. Nilbe Deocampo, together with San Enrique Extension Chair Dr. Regie Salmeron, Campus Administrator Dr. Rex Diaz, Prof. Glenn Dador, and faculty members.

The WVSU and ISUFST teams were welcomed by San Enrique Tourism Head Dr. JJ Patubo, who organized a cultural performance featuring the ISUFST Kalamay Festival Dancers and hosted a brief town museum tour and native good treats. “With this project, our dream that every San Enriquenhon can graduate from a university and become a well-grounded, productive citizen becomes more achievable,” Patubo said.

For WVSU Team Leader Dr. Amabel Siason, the meeting marked a meaningful milestone: “San Enrique is the first community to partner with us under this kind of advocacy. We are grateful to be part of this ‘historical first’ that goes back to the core of our mission—to make empathy, care, and mental health a shared responsibility.”

In his message, Dr. Nordy Siason emphasized that ISUFST’s role as project initiator reflects the university’s commitment to research-driven, community-based education. “Through STEP UP, we’re not only sharing knowledge—we’re empowering local educators and leaders to create safer, kinder, and more responsive schools,” he said.

Before the meeting, the WVSU team was welcomed at ISUFST Dingle Campus by Campus Administrator Dr. Dingras Balbona, Dean Ricardo Paborada, Jr., Dean Renante Diamante, faculty, and staff, including Guidance Counselor Ms. Roussel Justinn Esmeralda, before proceeding to San Enrique and the Tiwi Main Campus for lunch and fellowship with ISUFST officials.

The STEP UP Project, running through 2027, will equip guidance advocates across San Enrique’s schools with modules on psychological first aid, stress management, empathy building, and trauma-informed care, among others. Phase 1 (Module 1), focusing on Emotional Support and Psychological First Aid (PFA), is scheduled for October 27–28, 2025.

The initiative supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3—Good Health and Well-Being and 4—Quality Education, reflecting ISUFST’s dedication to inclusive, humane, and sustainable education. It is worth noting that the STEP UP project was officially launched on October 14, 2025, through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between ISUFST, represented by Dr. Siason, and the LGU of San Enrique, represented by Mayor Gian Carlo Niño P. Fernandez.

With ISUFST leading the initiative, WVSU providing guidance expertise, and the LGU ensuring local support, the STEP UP Project demonstrates how collaboration can turn compassion into concrete action—one school, one learner, and one community at a time. (Photos by LGU of San Enrique, Dwight Deslate, and RJ Patosa| PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter

October 30 2025

37 Participating HEIs Hail CHED–ISUFST Creative Works Workshop as ‘Excellent’

ISUFST Admin Extension

Educators and administrators from 37 higher education institutions (HEIs) across Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region described the recent “Creating the Creatives: Global Pathways Seminar-Workshop” as “excellent,” “informative,” “timely,” and “worth repeating.” For many, it was not just a seminar, but a shared space where imagination, policy, and purpose met.

Held on October 27–28, 2025, at the Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, the two-day activity was organized by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI (CHEDRO VI) in partnership with the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), the prime training-workshop discussant and facilitator. It aimed to guide HEIs in building and institutionalizing Creative Works Offices and frameworks that promote creativity as a pillar of academic excellence.

Participant feedback was predominantly favorable. The workshop was characterized as exemplary in every regard, receiving commendation for its integration of substantial subject with a casual, engaging dynamic. Many remarked that it was distinguished by its “well-organized, practical, and inspiring” nature—the type of training that remains beneficial long after its conclusion.

“The subject is highly pertinent and opportune,” one participant noted. One participant said that the workshops were “beneficial in establishing our university’s creative work office,” while others emphasized that the discussions “stimulated ideas on policy integration and inter-campus collaboration.”

Several participants, although acknowledging the efficient arrangement, proposed extended sessions and additional time for practical workshops, underscoring the necessity for subsequent conversations centered on innovation, documentation, and networking across higher education institutions.

Participants characterized the encounter as “inspiring” and “motivating,” beyond just numerical data. Many expressed that the event highlighted the necessity of creativity beyond art studios and literary classes, extending into research, governance, and community engagement.

In the end, the feedback reflected a unified call: to continue what CHED and ISUFST have started—a collective inter-HEIs movement to make creativity not an afterthought but an essential force in higher education. (PAMMCO | UCWO)

The signing capped the two-day “Creating the Creatives: Global Pathways Seminar-Workshop on Pioneering Creative Works Anchored on the SDGs for Internationalization,” organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and co-hosted by the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST).

Across two days, the seminar came alive with ideas, artistry, and collaboration. On Day 1, CHEDRO VI Director Raul Alvarez Jr. called for creative leadership in education, followed by ISUFST President Dr. Nordy Siason Jr., who urged schools to turn imagination into innovation. UPV’s Prof. Martin Genodepa deepened the discourse, affirming that creativity belongs at the heart of academic excellence. Sessions led by Dr. Edmer Bernardo on creative mandates, Prof. Michele Celeste on policy practice, Dr. Herman Lagon on creative governance, Ms. Marianne Bebit on intellectual property, and Dr. Rex Paulino on quality and assessment built the event’s foundation. Workshops followed after the talks of Lagon and Paulino, while poetry, photography, and music performances from ISUFST faculty added soul, transforming discussions into a celebration of imagination in motion.

Day 2 turned inspiration into action. Dr. Stephen Jinon advanced the conversation on SDG-driven creativity coupled with a roadmap workshop, while Prof. Noel Galon De Leon of Kasingkasing Press called on HEIs to make publishing a form of cultural renewal. Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla of WVSU later shared a heartfelt reflection on how creativity and research intertwined across sessions, followed by the symbolic signing of the manifesto—a collective promise to place creativity at the center of learning, governance, and growth.

Titled “Building the Blueprint for Creative Works Excellence in Higher Education Institutions,” the pledge commits HEIs to champion innovation, integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promote internationalization, uphold creative standards, share best practices, and empower the next generation of creators.

As representatives from across Panay, Negros, Guimaras, and Siquijor took turns signing the document, the hall fell silent—a collective pause before the applause.

“This is more than a signing. It’s a declaration that higher education will no longer treat creativity as a side note,” said CHEDRO VI Director Raul C. Alvarez Jr. “Creativity must be at the core of excellence, equity, and innovation.”

ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. called the pledge “a creative covenant.”

“Creativity is not decoration—it is direction, conviction, and collaboration,” he said. “What we signed today is more than a document; it is a dream stitched together by imagination and shared purpose. We are deeply grateful to CHED Region VI for believing in ISUFST’s creative works initiative and for helping us prove that creativity, guided by vision and heart, can move institutions toward genuine transformation.”

Dr. Danebeth Narzoles, CHEDRO VI Chief Education Program Specialist, closed the program by lauding the collaboration.

“The HEIs of Regions VI and XVIII have shown that creativity thrives when shared. This manifesto will serve as our compass as we build globally competitive yet locally rooted institutions.”

The two-day gathering transformed what began as a workshop into a movement. Panels turned into pledges, lectures into partnerships, and ideas into concrete roadmaps for creative excellence. When the closing photo was taken—rows of educators smiling as one Visayas—it captured not just success, but solidarity.

As participants departed, the words of Prof. Martin Genodepa lingered: “Creative work is central to academic excellence so that creativity can flourish at the very heart of our universities.”

For ISUFST, CHED, and every institution that signed the pledge, that heart now beats stronger—in every artwork, policy, and classroom born from the courage to create. (Photos by Leo Paparon and Benjamin Cornelio Jr. | Text by Herman M. Lagon | UCWO | PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #ISUFSTCommunity #PAMMCOStoriesThatMatter #CreatingTheCreatives #CHED #UCWO #RegionVI #RegionXVIII

October 24 2025

ISUFST Showcases 16 Scientific and Creative Works on Small-Scale Fisheries at National Symposium in Marawi

ISUFST Admin Activities, Extension, Gender and Development, International Affairs

MARAWI CITY — As the Philippines pushes for stronger protection of its small-scale fishers through the “Atin ang Kinse Kilometro” bill, faculty and students from the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) joined hundreds of advocates in Mindanao to turn research into resolve.

Eight ISUFST delegates—seven faculty members and one fisheries student—presented 16 research and creative works at the Second Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS2) held on October 21–23, 2025, at the Mindanao State University (MSU)–Main Campus in Marawi City. The works, blending science, storytelling, and song, championed sustainability and inclusivity in the country’s small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector.

“Too Big To Ignore”

Gathering over 300 scientists, educators, artists, fishers, students, and policymakers, the three-day symposium carried the theme “From Recognition to Action.” Organized by MSU and Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines, it called for stronger and fairer policies to protect the country’s 15-kilometer municipal waters—the very heart of the “Atin ang Kinse” campaign, which fights for the rightful space of small fishers in their own seas.

“This consortium of universities, agencies, and communities aims to make small-scale fisheries visible, viable, and sustainable,” said Dr. Glen Lorenzo, MSU Vice President for Research and Extension. The gathering also tackled pressing issues such as climate change, overfishing, and illegal encroachment by commercial vessels—threats that the pending “Atin ang Kinse Kilometro Bill” (HB 5606) seeks to address.

ISUFST’s Contributions: Science, Art, and Advocacy

Representing ISUFST were Dr. Rolindo B. Demo-os Jr., Dr. Jescel B. Bito-onon, Prof. Rother M. Gaudiel, Dr. Quin Y. Clarito, Dr. Michael B. Dizon, Instructor Jezreel C. Donguila, Dr. Herman M. Lagon, and BS Fisheries student Melody Vaughn Ferrer.

Their diverse outputs—from fisheries research and photo essays to poetry and original songs—embodied ISUFST’s belief that science and culture can work together to heal and protect the seas.

Among the technical studies were “Catch Rates and Fishery Characterization of Filter Nets in Tinori-an River, Iloilo” by Bito-onon and Gaudiel, and “Fishing Smarter: Comparative Analysis of Fish Pot Designs Used by Small-Scale Fishers in Banate Bay” by Clarito.

Ferrer’s team, composed of CFAS students and faculty, presented “Pearl and Other Economically Valuable Oysters of Northern Iloilo: Morphometric Insights for Conservation and Fisheries.” The study highlighted the balance between livelihood and conservation—and won second place in the oral presentation category, besting entries from universities nationwide.

“These projects show how local innovation builds resilience in small-scale fisheries,” said Dr. Bito-onon, ISUFST Director for Research and Development. “It’s not just about data; it’s about empowering the communities that depend on our waters.”

Art Meets Advocacy

The symposium also celebrated creative works that bridged science and human experience. Dr. Herman M. Lagon’s poetry, short stories, and photography collections—“Between Net and Node,” “The Net That Holds,” “Where the Line Holds,” “Of Change,” “Lines of Salt and Hope,” “When Only the Bangkas Rest,” and “When Currents Meet the Roots”—captured the soul of coastal life: its struggles, rhythm, and hope.

Lagon, together with Instr. Jezreel C. Donguila, also presented two original advocacy songs, “Let the Line Hold” and “The Lines We Cast,” inspired by the Atin ang Kinse campaign. The songs, arranged with karaoke-style visuals and live footage edited by Patrick Lance Nacion using images from Dean Demo-os and Dr. Lagon, were performed by Donguila during the closing plenary and MOA signing ceremony—drawing resounding applause from the audience.

Beyond the symposium halls, the ISUFST delegation experienced Maranao hospitality. On the first night, delegates were treated to a Pagana Meranao dinner—an elaborate ceremonial feast where guests “eat like royalty.” Seated around a grand tabak (ornate tray), they shared flavorful dishes with their hands in true Maranao fashion.

The Marawi Manifesto and a Promise for the Future

The symposium concluded with the signing of the Marawi Manifesto, a collective pledge of support for the Atin ang Kinse movement and the Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) advocacy for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient fisheries. During the signing, Donguila’s live rendition of “Let the Line Hold” and “The Lines We Cast” filled the MSU gymnasium as photos of fisherfolk and coastal communities played onscreen—a moment described by many as “a hymn for the sea and the people who live by it.”

Participants also celebrated the acceptance of Batangas State University (BSU) as the next host of PSSFNS3 in 2026, marking the continued expansion of the TBTI network across the archipelago.

They capped the symposium with a visit to Marawi’s Ground Zero, where the scars of war stood as a solemn reminder that battles for survival come in many forms. Just as Marawi once fought for the right to life and peace, today’s Atin ang Kinse movement fights for the right of small fishers—and the seas they depend on—to live and thrive.

A Shared Mission

ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. commended the delegation for embodying the university’s vision of blending “science, culture, arts, and compassion in service of people and planet.” He emphasized that ISUFST’s efforts directly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

For ISUFST, the symposium was more than an academic event—it was a reminder of purpose. “When we tell the stories of small fishers, artistically and scientifically,” said Lagon, “we’re also telling the story of our shared future.”

The PSSFNS2 came at a crucial time, as fisherfolk groups renewed calls for the passage of the “Atin ang Kinse Kilometro Bill” (HB 5606). The measure seeks to restore small fishers’ exclusive rights to municipal waters—rights recently challenged by a court ruling favoring commercial vessels.

From the shores of Banate to the lakes of Lanao, the message of PSSFNS2 was clear: small-scale fishers are too big to ignore. (PAMMCO)

#ISUFSTisdaFirst #ISUFSTCommunity #PAMMCOStoriesThatMatter #AtinAngKinse #PSSFNS2 #LifeBelowWater

October 20 2025

ISUFST Honors Two Topnotchers in 2025 Fisheries Board Exam, Awards ₱50,000 Incentive

ISUFST Admin Recognitions

Joy and pride filled the Main Tiwi Campus of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) this morning, October 20, 2025 during the flag raising ceremony as the university honored its newest Fisheries Board Exam topnotchers — Leslie Kate T. Macaling and Andrei Von T. Villarin — both graduates of BS Fisheries Batch 2025 who placed 8th nationwide, with a rating of 89.00%, earning distinction among the country’s best. Each received ₱50,000 in cash incentives from the university in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

University President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. personally led the awarding, commending the two for bringing pride and honor to ISUFST. In his message, Dr. Siason praised their discipline and grit, calling them symbols of what ISUFST stands for — education that empowers and success that inspires. “Their success reflects the dedication, discipline, and vision that define our students and mentors. These achievements are the fruits of our shared pursuit of excellence,” he said.

Also, other Fisheries Board Exam passers were recognized by being awarded with certificates of recognition for their accomplishment and perseverance.

The College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (CFAS), the premier program of the university, also marked a robust overall performance with a passing rate of 77.14%, exceeding the national average of 69.61%.

The recognition emphasized not only scholarly achievement but also the university’s strong dedication to shaping skilled professionals who operate with integrity and intent—aligned with ISUFST’s mission to support both communities and coastlines. (𝘌𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘈. 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰/𝘗𝘈𝘔𝘔𝘊𝘖)

#ISUFST #ISUFSTISDAFIRST #ISUFSTCOMMUNITY #PAMMCOSTORIESTHATMATTERS