Extension
ISUFST, WVSU, and San Enrique Hold Inception Meeting for STEP UP Mental Health Project
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
37 Participating HEIs Hail CHED–ISUFST Creative Works Workshop as ‘Excellent’
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
ISUFST Showcases 16 Scientific and Creative Works on Small-Scale Fisheries at National Symposium in Marawi
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
ISUFST and San Enrique Launch Three Quail Production, Vermicomposting, and Psychological First Aid Projects
SAN ENRIQUE, ILOILO — A partnership between the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and the Municipal Government of San Enrique officially launched three major initiatives—the Vermipower Project, Chick to Egg Project, and STEP UP Project—on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Tourism Conference Hall in San Enrique, Iloilo. The collaboration, led by ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. and Mayor Gian Carlo Niño P. Fernandez, aims to strengthen local livelihoods, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance psychological wellness across the municipality.
The three projects—rooted in education, sustainability, and social responsibility—represent ISUFST’s mission to bring research-based solutions to communities in line with its guiding principles of integrity, social justice, discipline, and academic excellence.
The Vermipower Project, headed by Dr. Myrna P. Prudente, promotes organic waste management through vermicomposting education and technical support. It seeks to empower backyard and community gardeners by teaching sustainable composting practices that enrich soil and reduce household waste, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Meanwhile, the Chick to Egg Project, led by Instructor Rezeld P. Alarva, provides quail production training for farmers in San Enrique. The initiative aims to expand income-generating opportunities in the agricultural sector by integrating science-based methods in small-scale poultry production. It also contributes to SDG 2: Zero Hunger by supporting local food security and livelihood diversification. The third initiative, the STEP UP Project (San Enrique Training for Educators and Professionals in Uplifting Psychological Support), led by Dr. Herman M. Lagon, focuses on strengthening the mental health and psychosocial support capacities of teachers, guidance advocates, and community leaders. The two-year program provides training in counseling, stress management, and psychological first aid to enhance well-being in schools and communities, directly supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 4: Quality Education. ISUFST President Dr. Siason emphasized that the partnership reflects the university’s continuing commitment to community development and local empowerment, expressing hope that the projects would later expand to other municipalities. Mayor Fernandez, for his part, underscored the importance of applying scientific approaches to farming and livelihood programs. He also noted that mental health advocacy is close to his heart, acknowledging that “everyone faces quiet battles,” and that having someone who listens “can make a big difference.”
Dr. Jose Patubo, San Enrique’s counterpart for the STEP UP Project, noted that the initiative will benefit all 21 elementary schools, one private school, and four national high schools in the municipality. He said the program, that also partners with DepEd and a team of mental health experts and advocates of WVSU College of Education, would concretely assist guidance designates, teachers, local health workers, and parents in supporting students’ mental and emotional well-being. The three projects signify ISUFST’s continuous mission to empower communities through education, innovation, and compassion—core values aligned with its vision to be a leading research university in fisheries, agriculture, education, and technology in Southeast Asia by 2030. (San Enrique Iloilo Tourism | Russel Yamit | PAMMCO) – collect sdgs
ISUFST Faculty Bring Home Multiple Awards at PASUC VI EMC Symposium
SIBALOM, ANTIQUE—The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) proudly brought home several awards from the 14th PASUC VI–Extension Managers’ Council (EMC) Regional Symposium and General Assembly, hosted by the University of Antique on September 30 to October 2, 2025.
Carrying the theme “Extension Beyond Boundaries: Strengthening Impact Through Innovation, Inclusion, and Integration,” the gathering brought together SUC leaders and extension workers across Western Visayas to highlight projects that touch lives beyond the campus.
At the forefront was Dr. Myrna P. Prudente, Dean of the College of Agriculture, who won Best Extension Paper in the Agri-Fishery, Food, and Environment category for her “Good Agricultural Practices Extension Project (GAPSEP).” “Our farmers need not only knowledge but also tools they can apply immediately in their fields. This project is about making science real and useful in their daily lives,” Prudente said.
Dr. Pia P. Paz, Dean of the College of Management, was named Best Presenter for her “Health Education and Livelihood Program for Indigenous People.” She described extension work as empowerment, adding, “Programs like these are proof that extension work is not just service—it is empowerment.”
Dr. Donabelle D. Mongao of the Dumangas Campus also shone, winning Best Paper Presenter and Second Place Extension Paper for her study on “Revisiting the Marketability of Dumangas District Jail’s Bangus Kropek.” “Even in the most unexpected places, entrepreneurship can bring dignity and hope,” Mongao shared.
Rounding off ISUFST’s victories was Dr. John Vincent Manalo of Barotac Nuevo, who placed Second in the Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy category for his work on community-based business models.
The ISUFST team was led by Dr. Joana Paula B. Biñas of the Office of Extension Services and Development, and included representatives from Tiwi, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dumangas, and San Enrique campuses. Biñas credited the collective win to teamwork and the strong support of ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., VPAA Dr. Joan M. Belga, and VPAD Dr. Johnny B. Dolor.
The event highlighted how state universities are advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8). For ISUFST, the wins reaffirm its mission to deliver research and extension programs that uplift communities and build resilience. (Ian Galupar/Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)
#isufstisdafirst #isufstcommunity #isufst #pammcostoriesthatmatter
ISUFST Receives BFAR Fisheries Scholarship Advocate Award
The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) received the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) Advocate Award from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) today, September 19, 2025, at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, in recognition of its commitment to fisheries education and consistent support for BFAR’s scholarship initiatives.
The award, given under the Best State Universities and Colleges Category, highlights ISUFST’s “unwavering support, active collaboration, and remarkable commitment” to the FSP, which aims to nurture competent fisheries professionals across the country. It was presented in time for the 52nd Fish Conservation Week, a national event which ISUFST CFAS primarily celebrates, that underscores the importance of protecting the country’s aquatic resources
The certificate of recognition was signed by BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig, a Master of Fisheries Technology alumnus of ISUFST. Representing ISUFST at the awarding were Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Joan Belga and College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Dean Rolindo Demo-os, Jr.
Belga said the recognition affirms ISUFST’s mandate as the country’s premier fisheries university. “This award mirrors our shared dedication to producing graduates who are not only skilled but also socially responsible stewards of our marine and aquatic resources,” Belga stated.
Demo-os, for his part, underscored the collaborative efforts of faculty, students, and partner agencies in making ISUFST a consistent ally of BFAR’s scholarship program. “Our success is rooted in the passion of our faculty, the determination of our scholars, and the trust of BFAR in our institution. This recognition inspires us to strengthen our programs even further,” Demo-os remarked.
The award rites formed part of the 52nd Fish Conservation Week, themed Gawad Parangal sa mga Kabalikat ng Pangisdaan at Yamang-Tubig. The program included keynote addresses by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., who both lauded SUCs for their role in advancing fisheries education and conservation.
ISUFST officials were joined by BFAR Regional Director Remia Aparri and several alumni now serving as division heads at BFAR’s central office. Students and retired faculty of ISUFST also attended the event, underscoring the university’s strong alumni and community ties.
The recognition affirms ISUFST’s alignment with its vision of academic excellence and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Since 1957, ISUFST has been the Philippines’ only fisheries university. Recognized for nine years as a Center of Development in Fisheries and ISO 9001:2015-certified, it now serves 8,500 students in five campuses and continues to train skilled graduates in fisheries, marine sciences, agriculture, management, technology, and education. (Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)
ISUFST’s Director Biñas Appointed as New RIMC Chair to Lead DSWD VI Monitoring Body
Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) Extension Director Joana Paula B. Biñas has been elected as the new chairperson of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region VI’s Regional Independent Monitoring Committee (RIMC) during its 2nd Quarter Meeting held this week.
Biñas, who now represents the academe and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), succeeds Norma Chan-Pongan of CORE Philippines Inc. in the role. With members from NGOs and the academe, the RIMC provides independent monitoring of programs such as the 4Ps to improve delivery of services across Western Visayas.
Biñas stressed the importance of SUCs in this effort. “I am honored to be elected chairperson. SUCs have the duty to share research, expertise, and engagement to help programs like the 4Ps,” she said.
She noted that collaboration within the group will ensure the program adapts to family needs and lasts for the long term. “By combining the strengths of government agencies, SUCs, and communities, the 4Ps can further contribute to improving education, health, and livelihood, fostering a stronger and more inclusive nation,” Biñas emphasized.
Alongside Biñas, Joy De Pallo of Goducate–APIIS was elected as vice chairperson, while Daisy B. Ibieza of Guimaras State University will serve as secretary.
The committee also discussed the Regional Convergence Plan, updates on projects of Camp Goducate–Asia Pacific Institute of International Studies (APIIS), and preparations for the Regional Convergence Committee and RIMC Field Visit scheduled for October 2025.
ISUFST views Biñas’s election as RIMC chair as an extension of its commitment to community service, social responsibility, and inclusive nation-building. The role echoes the university’s VGMO and its alignment with SDG goals in education, health, and poverty reduction.
Over the next three years, she will lead efforts to make social welfare programs more transparent and effective for families. This recognition underscores ISUFST’s growing impact in both fisheries science and community empowerment. (Photos from DSWD VI/Text by Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)
ISUFST Holds Extension Training for Fisherfolk in Banate, Iloilo
The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), through its 𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚, in partnership with the 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞, and 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐂, conducted an extension training titled“𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗮 𝗔𝗸𝗼, 𝗨𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 𝗞𝗼” on August 22, 2025, at the Multi-Purpose Building, Poblacion Banate, Iloilo.
The activity aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of fisherfolk in Banate Bay on safe navigation, climate change adaptation, marine protection, and fisheries laws, ensuring both safety at sea and sustainable coastal resource use.
The program was attended by 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐓. 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬, Mayor of Banate, and 𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐁. 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐳, Municipal Agriculturist. Representing University President 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐲 𝐃. 𝐒𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐫., 𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐎 𝐕𝐈, was 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐁. 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫, Vice President for Administration and Finance, who also served as a lecturer. A message of support from the Philippine Coast Guard was likewise delivered on behalf of ENS 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐆. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚, 𝐏𝐂𝐆, Sub-Station Commander of Banate.
The training proper featured a line-up of experts and young scholars who shared their knowledge on pressing issues affecting fisherfolk communities:
-𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐁. 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 – 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙 𝙒𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘽𝙖𝙮
-𝐃𝐫. 𝐋𝐨𝐮 𝐆. 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚 – 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙩𝙨 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙠 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨
-𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁. 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐬 – 𝘼𝙙𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚: 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨
-𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭. 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐌. 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃 – 𝙉𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙨
-𝐌𝐬. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨 – 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙚𝙛 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢
-𝐌𝐬. 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐁. 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐠 – 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢
-𝐃𝐫. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨 – 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙙𝙚 (𝙍𝘼 10654)
The training concluded with a post-assessment session and a closing message from 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭. 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐌. 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, Project Leader, underscored ISUFST’s commitment to fisherfolk empowerment and sustainable fisheries development.
This initiative reflects ISUFST’s continuing efforts to support coastal communities, promote safety at sea, and protect marine resources in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Forging Partnerships, Empowering Communities: ISUFST and CPD Region VI Seal MOU
In a sincere effort to create stronger and more inclusive communities, the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) has formally partnered with the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region VI via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on July 31, 2025, at the ISUFST Board Room, Main Campus – Poblacion Site.
But this partnership goes beyond paperwork. It’s a shared commitment—a genuine pledge to work together in promoting population and development programs that uplift lives and create meaningful change across Western Visayas.
Mr. Julius Rugger Hermano from the International Affairs and Linkages Office graciously greeted everyone, setting the day’s tone. He genuinely and proudly recognized the presence of the attendees and participants, showing the university’s enthusiasm for this new phase of partnership and community influence.
Mr. Roilo Vincent G. Laguna, Population Program Officer III/OIC PPO IV of CPD Region VI, established the focus by outlining the partnership’s objectives, highlighting the significance of community-oriented strategies in addressing population challenges and fostering inclusive development.
ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., in his message of support, emphasized how collaborations like this help turn academic institutions into active players in nation-building.
CPD Region VI Regional Director Harold Alfred P. Marshall echoed this sentiment, highlighting the value of strategic partnerships in bringing about real change on the ground.
The CPD Region VI team was also represented by Mr. Jarryd Roy Diotay, Community Development Facilitator Officer, and Ms. Rachelle E. Labordo, Admin Officer V—both expressing their optimism for the initiatives that lie ahead.
Also present during the event were ISUFST’s key officials:
Dr. Lenirose B. Mondero – Director, Gender and Development (GAD) Office
Dr. Jeanette G. Bayona – Director, International Affairs and Linkages Office
Dr. Kharlle John Huatea – University Physician
Ms. Edeline Joy A. Brito – Information Officer 1 on behalf of Dr. Herman M. Lagon – Director, Public Affairs, Marketing, and Media Communications Office (PAMMCO).
The ceremony concluded on an emotional note with the signing of the MOU—marked by handshakes, exchanged smiles, and a group photograph that reflected not just external expressions but also a feeling of hope and common purpose. It was more than a ceremony; it symbolized the start of something significant for the people and communities this collaboration aims to assist.
With this partnership, ISUFST and CPD Region VI are opting to advance collectively—not only in documentation but also through tangible actions. Their common goal: to initiate actions that extend past mere awareness and promote genuine, enduring change. It seeks to cultivate communities that are not only knowledgeable but also resilient, healthier, and capable of directing their own destinies.
At its essence, this collaboration highlights the strength of connection—showcasing the results when organizations go beyond their limits and engage with communities in their own environments. True growth occurs not alone, but alongside the individuals we support.(𝙀𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙮 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙤/𝙋𝘼𝙈𝙈𝘾𝙊)
