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August 12 2026

ISUFST Gears Up for SUC Faculty Reclassification System

ISUFST Admin Activities SDG 16, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9

ISUFST strengthens its preparations for the implementation of the SUC Faculty Position Reclassification System (SFPRS) as Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Stephen Raymund Jinon, Director of Instruction Dr. Michelle Bales, and Faculty Regent Dr. Edmer Bernardo participate in the Zone 3 Training Session and On-Site Orientation on the SFPRS, today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City.

The training provides participants from Regions VI, NIR, VII, and VIII with hands-on guidance on the SFPRS online system, particularly the uploading and submission of faculty documents and supporting evidence for reclassification. It also clarifies the processes and responsibilities involved in reviewing submissions, including the role of the Institutional Evaluation Committee (IEC) in validating documentary evidence and determining the corresponding points based on established criteria.

Their participation is expected to help ISUFST ensure a more informed, consistent, and evidence-based implementation of the reclassification process as faculty members prepare and submit their credentials through the system.

The activity is facilitated by the SUC Faculty Position Reclassification Secretariat of the Quality Assurance Division, Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance, Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (Edmer Bernardo | PAMMCO)

#ISUFST #SFPRS #FacultyReclassification #CHED #AcademicAffairs #isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #pammcostoriesthatmatter

August 11 2026

ASEAN Celebration 2026: Navitaging our Future Together

ISUFST Admin Activities SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 16, SDG 17, SDG 4

The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology – Dingle Campus honored the ASEAN Celebration, August 10, 2026. The event commenced with a flag ceremony, followed by an engaging trivia game for first-year students hosted by the Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Jescel B. Bito-onon.

This was followed by a colorful foot parade led by the Hanas Talento performers and banner representatives from Faculty and Staff. Each college represented an ASEAN member state: CBMSD for Cambodia, COED for Brunei, CICT for Indonesia, and COAG for Malaysia. The parade highlighted the 11 ASEAN nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. Following the foot parade, a solemn flag-raising ceremony for the 11 ASEAN countries was held alongside the playing of the ASEAN Anthem, concluding with a photo opportunity for the faculty and staff of ISUFST.

The event then moved to the PTEA Hall for the main program. Campus Administrator, Dr. Dingras E. Balbona, delivered the welcome remarks, linking the event to the ASEAN theme. She emphasized that the same spirit is one we nurture in our community, noting that true unity recognizes our differences while walking the same path. She concluded by expressing her gratitude to the guest speaker.

Dr. Febe Jane I. Sales then formally introduced the guest speaker, Ms. Jodelen Ortiz-Mitra, Consultant for the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

In her address, Ms. Ortiz-Mitra highlighted the protection of migrant workers and used the ocean as a metaphor, reminding the audience that member nations share common challenges and interconnected supply chains. She noted that with the Philippines serving as the ASEAN Chair, diplomacy and helping one another carry shared burdens are essential, especially since ASEAN operates primarily on consensus. She addressed key issues such as illegal fishing, as well as the severe impacts of climate change, extreme heat, and flooding on farmers.

Furthermore, she discussed the vital role of ASEAN sectors in setting food safety standards, building shared communities, and providing accessible financing. She encouraged students to ensure that knowledge does not remain confined to the campus but extends into the community.

Emphasizing that ASEAN countries do not compete with one another but rather grow stronger together. she urged everyone to “think,globally, act locally”, and commended ISUFST for its strong foundation in agriculture, education, innovation, and hospitality management in preparing graduates for the future.

Lastly, she reminded the audience that a bright future requires a clear vision and responsible stewardship of finite natural resources.

Following the address, a certificate of recognition was presented to Ms. Ortiz-Mitra as a token of gratitude by Dr. Dingras E. Balbona, Dr. Febe Jane I. Sales, and Instr. Jonard Verdeflor.

The next segment in the program is the awarding of the top 10 male and female nominees for the best costume were announced.

The morning event concluded with reading of guidelines and criteria for judging of different contests.

Caption: Marianne Joy Tamano

Photos: Clark Delsolor, Khim Arellado, Eden May Sua-an & Vallery Angela Miranda

Lay-out: Mae Joy Ladoing

Golden Grains- Iloilo State University of Fisheries, Science and Technology

August 7 2026

ISUFST Strengthens Gender Data Capacity for Sustainable Development

ISUFST Admin Gender and Development

The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) participated in the Training-Workshop on Gender Statistics for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Monitoring held on August 6–7, 2026, at Smallville 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

Representing the University were Mary Joy Abaya, Ellen Grace Gulmatico, and Mila Bedia, who joined fellow participants in enhancing competencies on gender statistics, evidence-based planning, and SDG monitoring. The training reinforces ISUFST’s continuing commitment to data-driven governance, gender responsiveness, and sustainable development in support of national and global development goals. (Mary Joy Abaya | PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter

July 27 2026

ISUFST Educators Take Leadership Roles in Education Summit ’26 at UP Visayas

ISUFST Admin Activities, Extension, Research SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 9

ILOILO CITY—Faculty members and administrators of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) figured prominently in the successful staging of the Education Summit 2026 (EDSUM26), assuming leadership responsibilities as organizers, keynote speakers, research presenters, moderators, and academic session leaders during the two-day conference held July 24–25 at the University of the Philippines Visayas Graduate and Continuing Education Building (GCEB).

Organized by the UP Visayas Master of Education Alumni Association (UPVMEAA) in partnership with the UP Visayas Division of Professional Education and the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP)–Iloilo Chapter, EDSUM26 gathered 120 educators, researchers, graduate students, school leaders, and policymakers from more than 40 institutions under the theme “Reimagining Philippine Education: Equity, Innovation, and Transformative Learning.”

Leading the organizing team was ISUFST PAMMCO Director Dr. Herman M. Lagon, who serves as President of UPVMEAA and Vice Chair of EDSUM26. Beyond steering months of planning, Lagon coordinated institutional partnerships, publicity, participant engagement, and conference implementation. He also helped bring EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark R. Yee to Iloilo, enabling delegates to engage directly with one of the country’s foremost education reform leaders.

Another key member of the organizing committee was former ISUFST VPAA Dr. Joan M. Belga, who now serves as UPVMEAA Treasurer. Throughout months of preparation, Belga supervised the summit’s financial management while coordinating food services, participant welfare, procurement, and numerous logistical requirements that enabled the conference to maintain high-quality professional development at an accessible registration fee.

Also playing a significant role was ISUFST’s Prof. Divine D. Jinon, a member of the UPVMEAA Board of Trustees. Jinon devoted countless hours to publicity, communications, participant coordination, invitation follow-ups, and conference logistics before and during the summit, helping ensure smooth communication among delegates, presenters, and partner institutions.

ISUFST’s contribution also extended through its active participation in the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP)–Iloilo Chapter, UPVMEAA’s principal partner in organizing EDSUM26.

Dr. Stephen Raymund Jinon, ISUFST Vice President for Academic Affairs and MTAP-Iloilo Board Member, chaired the EDSUM26 parallel session on Culture as Enabler of Transformative Learning, facilitating scholarly discussions on culturally responsive pedagogy, indigenous knowledge systems, and community-based learning innovations.

Dr. Matthew T. Lasap, Administrator of the ISUFST Dumangas Campus and MTAP-Iloilo Board Member, chaired the session on Pre-Service and In-Service Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership, while simultaneously assisting the conference secretariat in coordinating program operations.

Dr. Michelle Penaflor Bales, ISUFST Director for Instruction and President of MTAP-Iloilo Chapter, assumed multiple responsibilities as Session Rapporteur, member of the Secretariat Committee, and Documentation Committee, helping synthesize research discussions while ensuring efficient conference operations.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rene Estomo, ISUFST academic program head and MTAP-Iloilo Board Member, chaired the concurrent session on Didactics and Innovative Teaching and Learning Materials, guiding discussions on artificial intelligence, instructional innovation, mathematics education, and technology-enhanced teaching.

Beyond conference leadership, ISUFST researchers also contributed significantly to the summit’s scholarly program through peer-reviewed research presentations.

Jomel B. Guintivano, together with WVSU researcher John Erwin P. Pedroso, presented “Intersectionality in the Sacred Space of the Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer as a Cultural Contact Zone Towards Culture-based and Place-based Language Teaching,” exploring how sacred and cultural spaces can become dynamic environments for inclusive and contextualized learning.

Dr. Michle M. Celeste showcased “LAWUD: A Research-based Documentary Vignette Series for Transforming Indigenous Knowledge System into Contextualized Learning Resources,” demonstrating how indigenous fishing traditions, environmental knowledge, and local rituals can be transformed into educational resources that preserve cultural heritage while enriching classroom instruction.

Dr. Lagon likewise presented “Drawing Understanding: Pre-service Teachers’ Experiences with Desmos in Analytic Geometry,” examining how dynamic mathematics software enhances conceptual understanding and learner engagement among future mathematics teachers. He also delivered the Day 1 GAMECON keynote, “Gaming Pedagogy in the Age of Education 5.0,” highlighting game-based learning as a means to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and human agency in the AI era. He likewise co-moderated the summit’s couch talk with UPV Chancellor Clement C. Camposano, UP Faculty Regent Early Sol A. Gadong, and Dr. Yee, which underscored the need to strengthen Local Education Coalitions across Western Visayas.

Completing ISUFST’s research delegation was Tedric Dave E. Senosa, whose study, “Route Towards Certification: A Path Analysis on Licensure Performance of New Teacher Education Curriculum Graduates,” investigated factors influencing teacher licensure examination performance and proposed evidence-based strategies for strengthening teacher education programs.

It is worth noting that Dr. Lasap and Dr. Celeste are also UPV alumni and thus are members of the UPVMEAA.

The strong ISUFST presence reflected the University’s growing commitment to educational research, academic leadership, and regional collaboration. Across two days of keynote addresses, research presentations, policy dialogues, and professional conversations, ISUFST educators contributed not only as presenters but also as planners, facilitators, moderators, organizers, and institutional partners working alongside colleagues from basic and higher education institutions.

The ISUFST delegation likewise expressed its gratitude to University President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. for fostering a culture that encourages faculty members and academic leaders to contribute beyond the University’s walls. Clearly, the administration’s trust and support have given faculty the space to share their expertise, assume leadership roles in regional and national academic initiatives, and represent ISUFST in meaningful collaborations that advance the University’s commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and public service. The ISUFST team noted that EDSUM26 exemplified how ISUFST’s engagement with partner institutions extends the University’s mission of serving communities and helping shape educational discourse beyond its own campuses.

For ISUFST, EDSUM26 became more than participation in a conference. It became an opportunity for its educators to help shape conversations on educational reform, transformative learning, research-informed practice, and stronger collaboration among higher education institutions, schools, and local governments—demonstrating once again the University’s growing role in advancing quality education in Western Visayas and beyond.

#ISUFST #ISUFSTIsDaFirst #ISUFSTCommunity #UPVDivisionOfProfEd #MTAPIC #Research #EducationalLeadership #UPVMEAA #EDSUM2026 #TransformativeLearning #PAMMCOStoriesThatMatter @topfans @followers

July 22 2026

ISUFST Backs CHED Push for Global Partnerships in Nuclear Science, Deep-Tech Innovation

ISUFST Admin Recognitions SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 9

BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo — The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) has expressed its full support for the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) efforts to forge international partnerships that will strengthen Philippine higher education in nuclear science, advanced research, and deep-tech innovation.

The initiative comes after CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis held separate meetings with officials from France’s International Institute of Nuclear Energy (I2EN) and United Kingdom-based innovation firm Biospire during the UNESCO Transforming Education Summit +4 in Paris.

According to CHED, discussions with I2EN centered on possible collaboration in graduate education, specialized training, student and faculty exchanges, research fellowships, academic mobility programs, and curriculum development in nuclear science and engineering. The French institute also presented opportunities for Philippine higher education institutions to benefit from France’s expertise through instructional support and learning visits to industrial and research facilities.

In a separate engagement, Agrupis met with Biospire Chief Executive Officer Masashi Matsunaga to explore research collaboration, technology transfer, and innovation in sustainable agriculture and food systems. The discussions also highlighted opportunities to connect Philippine researchers and universities with international academic and industry networks, particularly in agritech innovation.

For ISUFST President Dr. Nordy Siason, Jr., the development aligns with its continuing commitment to internationalization, research excellence, and innovation-driven education. “As a university recognized for advancing fisheries, marine sciences, agriculture, and technology, ISUFST sees global collaboration as an important pathway toward strengthening faculty capability, expanding research opportunities, and producing graduates equipped for emerging scientific and technological fields.”

Dr. Siason further noted that while ISUFST’s academic strengths remain rooted in fisheries, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and related disciplines, partnerships that promote advanced research, interdisciplinary learning, and technology transfer complement the institution’s long-term strategic directions.

The university also recognizes the potential value of nuclear science applications in agriculture, food systems, environmental monitoring, fisheries research, food safety, and resource management—areas where peaceful nuclear technologies continue to support scientific innovation worldwide.

ISUFST likewise welcomed CHED’s efforts to connect Philippine higher education institutions with leading international organizations, saying such collaborations could broaden opportunities for faculty development, student mobility, joint research, and knowledge exchange.

The university emphasized that expanding international academic partnerships remains essential to preparing Filipino graduates for an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world while contributing solutions to national and global development challenges.

It is worth nothing that CHED clarified that the exploratory meetings form part of its continuing efforts to expand international linkages and that any future cooperation remains subject to further technical discussions and mutually agreed-upon programs and arrangements.

(Source: Adapted from a report by Sherylin Untalan, GMA News-July 18, 2026 | PAMMCO).

July 14 2026

Beyond Coastal Cleanups: The Story of ISUFST’s Saving Banate Bay Project

ISUFST Admin Activities, Extension SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 15, SDG 17, SDG 4

Just after daybreak, Banate Bay begins to stir.

Fishing boats pull from the shore as the first rays of sunlight extend across the lake. Children run barefoot down the seaside chasing each other, mothers are sweeping yards outside their homes and sellers are getting ready for another day of normalcy. The bay appears tranquil at first sight, little modified through time. But with every tide that rolls back in, comes a quieter story, not only of seawater, but of discarded plastic, of abandoned fishing gear and people’s everyday choices made without thinking too much about where their garbage ultimately goes.

For populations who have lived on the bay for generations, these are not faraway environmental issues debated in conferences or schools. They are part of the day to day. Stuck plastic in the mangrove roots; streams congested with rubbish after heavy rains; diminishing fish catches and coasts that don’t look like the way they used to, are now common sights. The bay that has fed people and sustained livelihoods for generations has begun to feel the weight of human neglect, slowly.

Dr. Johnny B. Dolor has seen that slow change happen over the years.

A faculty member of the College of Education of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and now Campus Coordinator of the Main Campus–Poblacion Site, Dolor did not arrive in these communities as someone carrying ready-made answers. First, he arrived as an environmental science instructor who spent time in the coastal communities, listening to residents and seeing how tightly their lives were related to the status of Banate Bay. The more he was there, the more he realized that protecting the bay would take a lot more than sporadic clean ups.

That understanding ultimately blossomed into Saving Banate Bay: An Extension Project for Sustainable Protection of Coastal Ecosystems and Communities, an ISUFST extension project presently encompassing thirty-one coastal barangays in Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, Banate, and Barotac Viejo. It is a project for solid waste management and coastline conservation. Indeed, it is a narrative of individuals learning to care again for a land which has silently cared for them all their lives.

What began as one faculty member’s advocacy soon became a shared commitment of the University. Guided by ISUFST’s Extension and Development Services Office and strengthened by the support of university leaders, faculty members, extension personnel, and student volunteers, the initiative gradually grew into a partnership with local governments and coastal communities. Together, they transformed classroom knowledge into action along the shores of Banate Bay.

It wasn’t from a planning workshop or a boardroom. It emerged slowly, via years of coastal cleanups, mangrove planting, classroom debates and talks with fisherfolk who knew the bay better than any textbook. Dolor watched plastic pollution spread through mangrove areas. He saw communities becoming more vulnerable as environmental problems accumulated. Rather than asking why people were not doing enough, he began asking what ISUFST, as the country’s first and only fisheries university, could meaningfully contribute.

The answer was not another one-day environmental campaign.

Instead, ISUFST and Dolor chose to build partnerships with the very communities whose lives are inseparable from Banate Bay. The 31 barangays became more than project sites; they became collaborators. Local government units, barangay officials, schools, community organizations, students, women, fisherfolk, and youth volunteers each brought something different to the table. Protecting the bay would not succeed if only one sector carried the responsibility.

TEACHING BEFORE CLEANING

Many environmental projects begin by handing people gloves and garbage bags.

This one began by asking people to sit down and talk.

There were the Pulong-Pulong sa Barangay meetings, before the coastal clean-ups, before the mangrove planting, before the pictures of the bags of gathered rubbish. Residents talked of the storms they had weathered, the changes in fishing areas over the years, home customs, and the simple facts of life beside the water. The ISUFST extension team came prepared to share ideas, but they quickly realized that listening was just as important. Faculty members, extension staff, and student volunteers learned alongside the communities, discovering that meaningful extension work begins with understanding people’s lives before offering solutions.

Over time, those interactions changed the tone of the project. It was no longer about reminding individuals what they were doing wrong . It was a call to picture what their communities might look like if everyone were involved.

Dolor admits that this part of the work tested his patience more than any cleanup activity ever could.

“There were times when some people actively participated while others seemed completely uninterested,” he recalled. “But I always told myself that this should not stop me. Eventually, time will come that they will engage themselves.” That quiet resolve kept him returning to the communities even on days when progress felt almost invisible.

He found that changing habits is seldom achieved just through lectures. People don’t give up years of routine in one seminar. They adapt after talking over and over, after watching neighbors behave differently, after recognizing that the convenience of today’s life could be the difficulty for their own children tomorrow.

And that is why the initiative always reverted to one idea, the ideas of the circular economy. Waste should not just vanish from sight but should be carefully managed before it becomes pollution. Every discarded bottle, plastic wrapper or torn fishing net has to end up somewhere. Most times, it ends up back in the same sea that nourishes the community.

Slowly, the conversations began to turn from waste to accountability.

As residents who earlier thought that trash management was the government’s responsibility began to realize their own responsibilities in maintaining Banate Bay. The project never asked for perfection. It was just the next little step—sorting rubbish, taking part in a cleanup, planting a mangrove, going to a barangay meeting, reminding a neighbor. None of these things was extraordinary in itself. But, together, they started to change the way people looked at the bay—and themselves.

WHEN COMMUNITIES PARTNER

It didn’t take the project team long to recognize that the most important changes would never be assessed by the number of seminars given or the amount of garbage collected. Those numbers counted, but only conveyed part of the story. The bigger concern was if people would still care about Banate Bay once the university packed up its tarps, its equipment and headed back to campus. That answer came slowly—and frequently when no one was looking for it.

One afternoon, after months of community activities, Dolor got an invitation from a barangay he had visited many times before. This time, though, he was not being asked to provide another orientation or lead another discussion. The barangay officials simply wanted him to see what they had done. They had strengthened their garbage collection system, improved the operation of their Material Recovery Facility, and begun implementing local ordinances aimed at protecting Banate Bay. The initiative was no longer being driven by the university. The community had taken ownership of it.

For Dolor, moments like that are difficult to describe because they rarely make headlines. There is no ribbon-cutting ceremony when a community quietly changes its habits. No applause follows when residents begin segregating waste because they have chosen to, not because someone is watching. Yet these quiet shifts are the ones he values most. They suggest that the conversations have moved beyond awareness and have started shaping the way people live.

“I realized that change does not happen because someone from the university tells people what to do,” he reflected. “It happens when people themselves begin believing that protecting the bay is protecting their own future.” It is a lesson he has carried into every succeeding activity. Extension work, he believes, is not about creating dependence on the university. It is about helping communities discover that they already possess the capacity to solve many of their own problems when given knowledge, encouragement, and the opportunity to work together.

That shared ownership became possible because every sector found its own place in the project. Barangay officials did more than approve activities. They mobilized residents, supported policy development, and reinforced environmental programs long after university visits had ended. Their leadership helped transform what could have remained a series of extension activities into community initiatives with lasting local support.

Women also emerged as some of the project’s quiet but consistent champions. Inside their homes, they encouraged proper waste segregation and responsible household practices. Outside, many joined coastal cleanups and became steady voices reminding neighbors that environmental care begins with everyday routines. Their influence rarely came through speeches. It came through example, repeated day after day, until good practices became familiar to others as well.

The youth brought a different kind of energy. Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan did not see themselves as volunteers simply helping with a university activity. They understood that they would one day inherit whatever kind of Banate Bay today’s generation leaves behind. They found a purpose in participating in clean up initiatives, awareness campaigns and community conversations. In their zeal, they also often encouraged other young residents to join in, and there was a ripple effect beyond the planned project activities.

The project was a more immediate concern for fisherfolk. If your family’s livelihood depends on the water, a polluted bay isn’t some abstract environmental problem. Discussions on abandoned fishing nets, waste in the ocean and microplastics were not just scientific explanations. These were discussions about maintaining fishing grounds, protecting marine life and guaranteeing that future generations might still make a living from the sea. Many became vocal advocates because they recognized that every bit of trash that ends up in the bay eventually comes back — not only to the coastline but also to their nets, their catch, and ultimately their tables.

Meanwhile, ISUFST students found that extension work is considerably different when lectures are no longer confined to classrooms. They joined beach cleanups, conducted Pulong-Pulong sa Barangay, distributed educational materials and spent time listening to residents whose stories could never be appropriately written in textbooks. Many learnt that public service is less about being the one with the answers and more about being willing to learn with others, between bagging picked-up garbage and sharing meals with fellow community members.

Volunteerism, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility stopped being classroom concepts. They became part of everyday life. Guided by their faculty mentors and supported by the University’s Extension office, many students discovered that the most meaningful lessons are often learned far beyond campus walls.

It was not a smooth journey. Because of financial concerns, several plans had to be changed. Activities were stopped by bad weather sometimes. Even more difficult was changing behaviors acquired over many years. People aren’t always ready to embrace new approaches, especially if the old ways seem more convenient. There were times when the progress felt excruciatingly slow. But rather than seeing such challenges as reasons to cease, the project team saw them as part of the community effort itself.

Trust is rarely established in one meeting. It is like mangroves, growing slowly, taking root through patience, consistency, and relationships that are built over time.

Perhaps that is why Saving Banate Bay feels different from a typical environmental campaign. It was never designed to end when the cleanup was over or when the final report had been submitted. Its real success lies in something less visible: communities that have started reminding one another to care for the bay without waiting for the university to tell them what to do. And that may be the strongest sign yet that the project has become exactly what it hoped to be—not simply an ISUFST initiative, but a community story.

Looking back, Dolor is quick to say that the project never belonged to him alone. He credits the steadfast support of ISUFST’s administration, the guidance of the Extension and Development Services Office, fellow faculty members and staff who worked behind the scenes, students who willingly volunteered their time, partner local government units, and the thirty-one coastal barangays that welcomed the University into their communities. Their shared commitment, he said, turned a simple idea into a lasting partnership.

A UNIVERSITY’S PROMISE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

By now, there are things the project can count.

There are mangroves planted along stretches of the coastline. There are barangays that have strengthened their Material Recovery Facilities. There are communities that have improved waste segregation and local ordinances that now give stronger support to proper solid waste management. These are tangible outcomes—visible reminders that months of patient work have produced real results.

But if Dolor were asked what makes him smile most when he returns to these communities, he would likely mention something that cannot be placed in a report.

It is seeing residents remind one another not to throw trash into the water. It is watching children join cleanup activities without being told. It is hearing conversations about protecting the bay happen naturally during barangay gatherings. These moments may never appear in accomplishment reports, yet they reveal something far more important. They suggest that caring for Banate Bay is slowly becoming part of everyday life rather than something people do only when a university activity is scheduled.

That was always the intention.

From the beginning, Saving Banate Bay was designed to outlive the University’s calendar of extension activities. ISUFST never intended to become the permanent driver of every cleanup or every environmental campaign. Universities can provide the ideas and technological competence, but it is the communities that make those ideas real. Local leaders, community volunteers, fisherfolk, women’s groups, youth organizations and ordinary people were encouraged to be stewards of the advocacy because they are the ones who would continue living by the bay long after every extended visit has ended.

For Dolor, that shared ownership is perhaps the project’s greatest accomplishment.

“The project is jointly owned by ISUFST and the coastal communities of Banate Bay,” he said. It is a statement that reflects how he sees extension work—not as something the university gives to people, but as something built together with them. Universities can offer knowledge and guidance, but real change begins when communities embrace the work as their own. Without their trust and participation, even the best ideas remain just that—ideas.

The experience changed Dolor, too.

Looking back, Dolor hopes people will remember Saving Banate Bay not simply as an environmental project but as proof of what can happen when a university and its communities choose to work side by side. Through the leadership of ISUFST, the dedication of its Extension Office, the commitment of faculty and staff, the enthusiasm of student volunteers, the support of partner local government units, and the trust of the coastal communities of Banate Bay, what began as a series of cleanups became something much larger—a shared commitment to protect a place generations have called home.

In the end, the project’s greatest achievement may not be the number of mangroves planted or sacks of waste collected. It is the growing belief that caring for Banate Bay is no longer the responsibility of a few, but a shared promise carried by everyone who calls its shores home. That, perhaps, is the quiet legacy of ISUFST’s Saving Banate Bay project. (PAMMCO)

#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter

July 1 2026

Step Up Phase 3 Equips San Enrique Educators to Strengthen Career Guidance and Safe Schools

ISUFST Admin Extension

SAN ENRIQUE, Iloilo—Teachers and guidance designates from the Municipality of San Enrique experienced two days of further learning, collaboration, and planning in areas that are highly relevant nowadays. The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), in collaboration with West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Local Government Unit of San Enrique, successfully finished Project STEP UP (San Enrique Training for Educators and Professionals in Uplifting Psychosocial Support) Phase 3 on June 25–26 at the Tourism and Cultural Center.

The third phase of the six-phase extension program of ISUFST was focused on Career Guidance and Bullying Prevention, providing participants with practical knowledge and school-based solutions that may be easily implemented in their schools. The activity is part of the continuous STEP UP effort to improve psychosocial support services and learner well-being in San Enrique.

Day one was designed to enable guidance designates and wellness advocates guide learners to make informed educational and career choices.

Dr. Herman M. Lagon, RGC, of ISUFST kicked off the talks through a session on Understanding Career Development Across the Lifespan. He emphasized that career guidance is not just about helping students to select a vocation. it is helping learners to identify their abilities, interests, values and goals and to make choices about their future.

Prof. Jan Iris Faye M. Basbas, RGC, of WVSU gave a talk on how to determine the learners’ strengths, interests, and aspirations. Dr. Hilda C. Montaño, RGC, of WVSU, on the other hand, discussed the current career trends and opportunities in Iloilo and beyond to help participants relate career guidance to local and emerging employment opportunities.

Practical applications took center stage in the afternoon as Mrs. Junna Mari G. Pacardo, RGC, introduced career guidance tools and school-based activities, followed by a workshop on designing a Career Guidance Week facilitated by Dr. Imelda M. Arenga, RGC. The day concluded with a reflection session led by Ms. Keziah A. Lagarto, RGC, encouraging participants to envision the kind of future they hope to help create for their learners. All the three are guidance couselors from ISUFST.

On the second day, discussions shifted toward creating safer and more inclusive schools.

Dr. Rejie F. Palmos, RGC, of WVSU led sessions on bullying prevention, child protection, restorative practices, and conflict resolution, highlighting the importance of early intervention, empathy, and restorative approaches in resolving school concerns.

Ms. Roussel Justin B. Esmeralda, RGC, of ISUFST discussed Republic Act No. 10627 and the DepEd Child Protection Policy, helping participants better understand their responsibilities in protecting learners and responding appropriately to reported cases.

Participants then engaged in hands-on workshops. Dr. Lagon facilitated a session on Case Handling and Documentation, where participants analyzed school-based situations and practiced proper documentation and referral procedures. Prof. Ruby P. Faunillo, RGC, of ISUFST, guided participants in designing school-based anti-bullying advocacy campaigns, while Dr. Amabel T. Siason, RGC, of WVSU led the development of localized Child Protection Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) flowcharts.

The two-day activity brought together the participants to collaboratively work on outputs that they can implement in their respective schools. These outputs are Career Guidance Week Plans, Career Opportunities and Referral Matrices, Anti-Bullying Advocacy Plans, Child Protection SOP Flowcharts, and School Commitment Statements for Safe and Inclusive Schools. These outputs are intended to boost advisory services and learner protection programs in anticipation of School Year 2026–2027.

For ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., CESO VI, the success of STEP UP goes beyond the conduct of a training program. It is about building lasting partnerships that help schools better serve their learners.

“Every learner deserves a school where they feel safe, valued, and encouraged to dream. Through Project STEP UP, we are investing not only in the professional growth of our teachers and guidance advocates but also in the future of every child they will guide. Our partnership with the Municipality of San Enrique and West Visayas State University reflects our shared commitment to making quality education more responsive, compassionate, and inclusive,” Dr. Siason said.

The activity ended with the STEP UP Safe Schools Commitment Rites, when participants literally took oath to advance the promotion of learner well-being, career preparedness, child protection and inclusive school communities through the plans they established throughout the training.

Project STEP UP continues to highlight the need of partnerships between higher education institutions, local government and schools in establishing stronger systems of support for learners. Building on the expertise of guidance counselor-volunteers from ISUFST and WVSU, and with the support of the LGU of San Enrique, the initiative continues to equip educators with practical tools that help learners discover their potential while ensuring that schools remain safe, inclusive and nurturing environments for all.

Project STEP UP will continue with Phase 4 on August 27–28, focusing on Parents Engagement and the Review and Evaluation of Participants’ School-Based Implementation of the strategies and outputs developed during the earlier phases. (PAMMCO)

#ISUFSTISDAFirst #ISUFSTCommunity #STEPUPtoCare #ProjectSTEPUP #CareerGuidance #SafeSchools #ChildProtection #ISUFST #ISUFSTMIS #PAMMCOAmbassadors #PAMMCOStoriesThatMatter

June 24 2026

ISUFST Dingle Students at DICT’s Applied AI and Digital Productivity Training

ISUFST Admin Activities

Selected student

from ISUFST Dingle Campus are currently leveling up their digital competencies at the intensive 𝟱-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮ls 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Iloilo Provincial Field Office at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Passi City.

This high-impact initiative is part of DICT’s ongoing efforts to develop next-generation digital talent in celebration of National ICT Month 2026.

#ISUFSTDingle #DICTIloilo #NationalICTMonth2026 #AppliedAI #FutureReady #LearningByDoing

June 23 2026

Commencement Exercises 2026

ISUFST Admin Activities

For a few unforgettable hours on June 19, 2026, the Tamasak Arena became more than a venue.

It became a place where years of sacrifice finally met their reward.

Nearly 2,000 graduates walked across the stage carrying more than diplomas. They carried the dreams of parents who worked overtime, grandparents who never stopped praying, teachers who believed in them, and communities that quietly cheered them on from afar. The Class of 2026 arrived at this moment through different journeys, but all were united by perseverance, hope, and the desire to build a better future.

This historic commencement celebrated 1,977 graduates from 42 undergraduate programs and a record 618 academic awardees, including ISUFST’s first three Summa Cum Laude graduates in 41 years—a milestone that will forever be part of the University’s story.

Under the theme, “Sovereigns of Service: Bridging Excellence and Social Justice for Nation-Building,” the ceremony reminded graduates that education is more than personal achievement. It is a call to serve, to lead with integrity, and to use knowledge for the good of others.

This video captures only a few moments—the procession, the applause, the tears, the laughter, the songs, the embraces, the alumni pledge, and the countless smiles that filled the arena. Yet behind every frame is a much bigger story: a story of resilience, family, friendship, faith, and dreams fulfilled.

To the ISUFST Class of 2026, may this be more than a memory.

May it remain a reminder of how far you have come, who helped you get here, and why your journey matters.

The ceremony has ended.

The mission begins now.

Video by PeteFuentes Photography and the ISUFST Technical Team (MIS and PAMMCO)

Tamasak Arena, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo

ISUFST Commencement Exercises 2026

May 31 2026

Let the Line Hold

ISUFST Admin Activities SDG 1, SDG 10, SDG 14, SDG 2, SDG 8

As we commemorate 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐊𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟑𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, we honor the women and men whose daily labor sustains our communities, strengthens our food security, and keeps our coastal traditions alive. In celebration of their courage, resilience, and enduring hope, we present “Let the Line Hold,” an advocacy folk ballad inspired by the growing call of the Atin ang Kinse movement and the continuing struggle to protect the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small-scale fisherfolk.

This song was not only produced by ISUFST Faculty as a musical tribute but was also presented as a Creative Works Presentation and performed during the plenary session of the Second Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS2) held on October 20–24, 2025, at Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Philippines. Through music, it tells a story of dignity, justice, livelihood, and the shared responsibility of protecting our seas for future generations.

For the fisherfolk. For the coast. For the kinse. Let the line hold.

***

Before the music begins, it is important to understand why this song was written.

“Let the Line Hold” is more than a folk ballad. It is a tribute to the women and men of our coastal communities whose lives, livelihoods, and futures are tied to the sea. Inspired by the growing call of the Atin ang Kinse movement, the song speaks for small-scale fisherfolk who continue to defend the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved by law for municipal fishers—waters that have sustained families, communities, and local food security for generations. The song draws inspiration from the stories, struggles, hopes, and resilience shared by fisherfolk, scientists, educators, advocates, and community leaders who believe that protecting the kinse is not merely a fisheries issue but a matter of justice, dignity, and national survival.

This advocacy folk ballad was written by Dr. Herman M. Lagon, inspired by conversations and encounters with fisherfolk and stakeholders during the National Fisherfolk’s Day Celebration and the broader Atin ang Kinse campaign. The music was composed and interpreted by Jezreel Cabansagan-Donguila, whose heartfelt melody gives voice to the emotions behind the movement, while the Psalmista Band provided the instrumental arrangement that carries the song’s message across communities.

Together, they transformed policy discussions and scientific evidence into a musical narrative that ordinary Filipinos can feel, remember, and share.

At its heart, “Let the Line Hold” reminds us that the kinse is more than a boundary on a map. It is a symbol of livelihood, cultural memory, food security, community resilience, and hope. It represents the right of small-scale fisherfolk to continue fishing in the waters their families have depended upon for generations. Through music, this work invites us to listen to the voices behind the statistics, to see the people behind the policies, and to stand with those who continue to protect our seas for future generations.

As the song unfolds, may we remember a simple but powerful truth: when we protect the kinse, we protect not only fish and waters, but also families, communities, heritage, and the future of sustainable small-scale fisheries in the Philippines.

Lyrics: Dr. Herman M. Lagon

Composition and Interpretation: Dr. Jezreel Cabansagan-Donguila

Instrumentals: Psalmista Band

Video editing: Mr. Patrick Lance Nacion

Genre: Advocacy Folk Ballad | Key: G Major | Tempo: ~70 bpm

For the fisherfolk. For the coast. For the kinse. Let the line hold. #AtinAngKinse

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB_uKskahos

Official ISUFST Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Commercial Fishers to Operate on the Municipal Waters, entitled SAFEGUARDING OUR SEAS: https://web.faceboo*om/share/p/18UtjUbyQe/