SDG 4

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

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

May 18 2026

Beyond the Hood and Diploma: The Human Stories behind ISUFST’s 30 New Doctorates

ISUFST Admin Recognitions SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9

BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo — Before the medals, graduation photos, and congratulatory posts, there were sleepless nights no one saw.

There were faculty members revising dissertations after long days of teaching. There were weekend trips taken instead of family rest days. There were flooded roads crossed before sunrise just to avoid missing a morning class. There were moments of burnout, doubt, financial pressure, and quiet prayers offered in silence.

This year, 29 faculty members and one staff member of ISUFST are preparing to complete their doctoral degrees, a milestone shaped by years of sacrifice, perseverance, and belief in education’s power to transform lives.

Across all five campuses, the stories behind the doctoral hoods speak louder than the titles themselves. They reveal educators who kept showing up, for students, for family, for community, and for dreams that often felt distant and exhausting.

“The journey was not linear,” shared Angie Almarza of the Main Campus–Poblacion Site. “It involved challenges, revisions, and continuous learning.” Yet despite the difficulties, she said ISUFST provided “a structured yet flexible ecosystem that fostered resilience, critical thinking, and innovation.”

For many, the doctorate journey unfolded while carrying multiple responsibilities inside the university.

John Rey Alipe balanced doctoral studies while serving as Research Coordinator and BSIT Program Chair. “ISUFST wasn’t just my workplace,” he reflected. “It was a supportive community that pushed me to keep growing.” He added that applying what he learned directly to leadership work made “all the late nights and hard work feel purposeful.”

Others carried even heavier emotional and physical burdens.

April Joy Acosta of the Dingle Campus recalled leaving home early and traveling nearly two and a half hours just to avoid being absent from her 7:30 a.m. class in Roxas City. Many evenings, she arrived home soaked from heavy rain and flooded roads. “These experiences were exhausting,” she admitted, “yet they became powerful reminders of the commitment I had made to myself.”

For Ralph Gerald Bermejo, the journey demanded balancing three identities at once: instructor, doctoral student, and family man.

“Each role demanded time, focus, and commitment,” he said. Yet even amid the pressure, he found strength in the support of colleagues and university leaders who helped lighten the burden during the dissertation stage.

Behind many of the stories was one recurring realization: ISUFST had become more than simply an institution.

“To me, ISUFST was never just a place where I went to work,” shared Roslyn May Paclejan. “It was a true home.” She described the university as more than a workplace — a place that shaped not only her career, but also her values, resilience, humility, and compassion.

That same sentiment echoed across many stories.

John Catunao, who completed a second doctorate in Filipino Language Teaching after earlier earning a PhD in Educational Management, spoke warmly about the people who helped him keep going through the journey. He credited President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., campus administrators, deans, and fellow teachers for helping him persist during the most difficult moments.

“These people remind me that ISUFST is not just an institution,” he said. “It is a true community that genuinely looks after its own.”

Several faculty members also emphasized how institutional support became the bridge between nearly giving up and eventually finishing.

Many cited dissertation subsidies, CHED SIKAP scholarships, teaching deloading, official travel authority, and financial assistance programs that eased the burden of doctoral work. Others said moral encouragement mattered just as much as funding.

“The University did not just give me a job,” Catunao reflected. “It supported my journey every step of the way.”

For some, the doctorate journey permanently reshaped how they now see teaching itself.

“I no longer see my role as limited to delivering instruction,” one faculty member shared. Others described becoming more reflective researchers, more patient mentors, and more community-oriented educators after experiencing firsthand the pressures their own students often face.

Ramir Torreces explained that the experience deepened his understanding that teaching “goes beyond classroom instruction” and now includes research, leadership, extension work, and mentoring.

Meanwhile, Michle Celeste described how her dissertation evolved into something larger because of ISUFST’s research culture. Rather than producing a purely academic output, she developed documentary-based educational materials connected to fisheries and coastal communities.

“Finishing this degree felt like more than a personal achievement,” she shared. “It was a contribution to the goals that ISUFST stands for.”

According to ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., the growing number of doctorate holders reflects the university’s investment in people who will shape future communities through education.

He emphasized the importance of developing faculty members who can produce graduates that are competent, socially aware, and values-oriented.

The milestone also echoes the goals of CHED’s A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education and lifelong learning.

Yet behind all these institutional goals are stories of sacrifice, resilience, and ordinary people simply trying to become better educators.

Some of these educators studied while raising families. Some worried about tuition and transportation. Some traveled long distances every weekend. Some balanced extension work, administration, research, and teaching all at once. Some nearly stopped.

Yet they kept going.

And perhaps that is what makes this milestone quietly inspiring. Behind every doctorate hood this year is not simply academic excellence, but endurance — the kind built slowly through sacrifice, discipline, faith, and people who chose to believe in one another.

In many ways, these 30 new doctorates are not just personal victories. They are reminders that education, at its best, is still an act of hope. (Herman Lagon | PAMMCO)

***

Graduating Doctorates of ISUFST for 2026

San Enrique Campus – College of Education (COED)

1. Jayson C. Palma — Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education major in Mathematics

2. Michael B. Dizon — Doctor of Education major in Science Education

3. Isabel F. Biana — Doctor of Education major in Mathematics Education

4. Zyra E. Gregorio — Doctor of Education major in Mathematics Education

5. Jerlie Mae L. Panes — Doctor of Education major in Filipino Language Teaching

6. Kenth Mark A. Salcedo — Doctor of Education major in Social Science Education

7. Rodelyn P. Padios — Doctor of Management major in Business Administration

8. Roselyn P. Paclejan — Doctor of Management major in Business Administration

Main Campus – Poblacion Site

9. Ralph Gerald M. Bermejo — Doctor in Hospitality Management

10. Ma. Charlene Mae B. Gallo — Doctor in Management in Business Administration

11. John Rey Alipe — Doctor in Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence)

12. Angie Almarza — Doctor in Information Technology (Natural Language Processing)

13. Joanna Marie S. Sabid — Doctor of Education major in Physical Education

14. Liezl A. Dula-ogon — Doctor of Education major in Science Education

15. Kristine M. Hofileña — Doctor of Education major in Physical Education

Dumangas Campus – College of Hospitality Management (CHM)

16. Alfredo A. Gambala — Doctor of Management major in Tourism and Hospitality Management

17. Norlyn Jane B. Valera — Doctor of Management major in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Main Campus – Tiwi Site – College of Education (COED)

18. Christine M. Deocampo — Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Leadership and Education major in Social Science

19. Frietzie S. Inayan — Doctor of Education major in Physical Education

20. Jezreel C. Donguila — Doctor of Education major in Physical Education

21. Ramir C. Torreces — Doctor of Education major in English Language Teaching

22. Michle M. Celeste — Doctor of Education in Filipino Language Teaching

23. Jomel B. Guintivano — Doctor in Education major in Curriculum Development

24. Clariesol F. Belo — Doctor of Education major in Physical Education

Dingle Campus – College of Education (COED)

25. April Joy D. Acosta — Doctor of Education major in English Language Teaching

26. John D. Catunao — Doctor of Education major in Filipino Language Teaching

27. Soceline N. Batisla-ong — Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

28. Febe Jane I. Sales — Doctor of Philosophy in Education major in Psychology and Guidance

29. Giefred Ian P. Paniza — Doctor of Education major in Social Science Education

Administrative Staff

30. Emely D. Armonidad — Doctor of Education major in English Language Teaching (EdD-ELT)

(Herman Lagon | PAMMCO)

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May 13 2026

ISUFST Wins Multiple CHED Regional Quality Awards for Third Straight Year

ISUFST Admin Recognitions SDG 10, SDG 16, SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 5

BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo — The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Western Visayas’ emerging leaders in higher education after once again earning multiple recognitions from the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI (CHEDRO VI) during the 5th CHED Regional Quality Awards for 2026.

The latest recognition marks the third consecutive year that ISUFST has been honored in the prestigious regional awards, following major recognitions received in 2024 and 2025. The awards form part of the celebration of the CHED’s 32nd Anniversary and 6th Higher Education Day, which recognize institutions that demonstrate excellence in instruction, research, extension, internationalization, governance, and community engagement.

Based on the memorandum and invitation issued by CHEDRO VI dated April 29 and May 12, 2026, ISUFST will receive recognitions in the following major categories: Excellence in Community Extension, Excellence in Research, Excellence in Peace Education Implementation, Excellence in Gender and Development Implementation, Excellence in Indigenous Peoples Education Implementation, Top HEI on Internationalization Programs and Initiatives, and Awardee for CHEDROVI Partner HEls in the conduct of Internationalization Programs, Projects and Activities.

The awarding ceremony is scheduled on May 21, 2026 at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in Iloilo City and will gather presidents, administrators, faculty members, and stakeholders from higher education institutions across Region VI.

For many within the university community, the latest awards reflect not only compliance with national standards but also the university’s growing institutional culture centered on quality, inclusivity, innovation, and public service.

ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. described the recognition as a collective achievement of the university’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners across its five campuses.

“These recognitions reflect the many small but meaningful efforts happening quietly across our university every day. Quality education is something that takes time, teamwork, and genuine commitment to serving our students and communities,” Dr. Siason said.

The 2026 recognitions continue the strong momentum ISUFST has sustained over the past three years.

In 2025, the university received nine CHED Regional Quality Awards, including recognitions for Outstanding Board Performance, 100% Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) for undergraduate and graduate programs, Excellence in Community Extension and Linkages, Excellence in Internationalization Initiatives, Excellence in Peace Education, Excellence in Indigenous Peoples Education, Excellence in Student Affairs and Services, support to CHEDRO VI initiatives, and Model Implementer awards for scholarship programs.

A year earlier, in 2024, ISUFST also bagged five major awards during the 3rd CHED Regional Quality Awards, including recognition as a State University and College with 100% COPC for undergraduate programs, Model Implementer of the Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP), Award for Excellence in Indigenous Peoples Education, Award for Excellence in Internationalization Initiatives, and recognition for support to CHEDRO VI programs.

University officials said the continuing recognition highlights the institution’s transformation following its conversion into university status and its sustained efforts to strengthen instruction, research productivity, community extension, student services, and global engagement.

Over recent years, ISUFST has also gained national and international recognition beyond the CHED awards. In 2026, the university entered the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) and secured several placements in the Global Top 100, including a notable ranking in Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer. The university likewise maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification, Center of Development status in Fisheries, and consistent AACCUP accreditation performance.

CHEDRO VI earlier emphasized that the Regional Quality Awards recognize institutions that contribute significantly to improving higher education standards and advancing inclusive, innovative, and transformative learning across Western Visayas.

For many stakeholders, ISUFST’s consistent presence among the region’s recognized institutions reflects the university’s continuing efforts to elevate educational quality while remaining grounded in community service and regional development.

As the university prepares to receive another round of recognitions this 2026, many faculty members, employees, students, and alumni view the achievement not simply as an institutional milestone, but as proof that sustained commitment, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership can steadily transform a growing state university into a respected force in Philippine higher education. (PAMMCO | AI Assisted)

May 6 2026

ISUFST earns Eight Global Top 100 Spots in WURI Debut

ISUFST Admin Recognitions SDG 10, SDG 16, SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 9

BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo—For a university joining the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) for the first time, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) made a quiet but meaningful entrance—landing eight spots in the Global Top 100 across different innovation categories.

The 2026 results placed ISUFST at 7th in Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer (C5), followed by 21st in Empowerment-Based Management (B2). It also ranked 74th in Financial Impact-Driven Technology Transfer (C8), 76th in Curricular Innovation for Future-Readiness (C3), 86th in Funding for Sustainability (B5), 88th in Interdisciplinary Research (C2), 93rd in Cost-Effectiveness Management (B7), and 100th in AI-Based Teaching and Learning Transformation (C4).

For those on campus, the recognition does not feel sudden or overwhelming. It feels familiar—like something that grew out of long, steady effort, much of it done quietly, without expecting anything in return.

University President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. described the result as a reflection of what the institution has been trying to build over time. “This is really about staying true to what we believe education should do,” he said. “Academic excellence matters, but it has to translate into something that improves lives. That has always been part of how we see our role.”

He also pointed out that the recognition aligns with broader national directions in higher education. “Our efforts are closely tied to CHED’s ACHIEVE framework under Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis,” Siason added. “What this shows is that when innovation is anchored on service and social justice, it resonates beyond our immediate setting.”

Unlike more traditional rankings, WURI looks less at reputation and more at how universities respond to real problems—whether their ideas can actually work, and whether they make a difference. Its process combines blind peer review, expert validation, and system-based analysis, putting emphasis on programs that are not only creative, but also practical and impactful.

That approach has attracted growing global participation. In recent cycles, thousands of innovation cases from over a thousand universities worldwide have been reviewed, creating a space where institutions are compared not just by what they produce, but by what they change.

For ISUFST, the WURI entry builds on earlier steps toward international visibility—from internal workshops on global rankings to participation in regional capacity-building efforts. These were not isolated activities, but part of a longer attempt to align teaching, research, and extension work with global standards while staying grounded in local realities.

Over the years, much of the university’s work has naturally fallen in step with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whether it’s widening access to education, finding practical ways to innovate, working with partners, or caring for marine resources, these have never really been new directions—they’ve long been part of what ISUFST stands for as the country’s only fisheries university.

Founded in 1957, the university has grown across five campuses, with programs spanning fisheries, education, technology, and management. In recent years, it has also received multiple recognitions from CHED, particularly in extension, peace education, student services, internationalization, and inclusive education.

Dr. Siason says the WURI results are “less about arrival and more about direction.”

“The work is far from finished. Much remains to be done—systems to improve and communities to serve better. But this recognition holds a simple truth: institutions do not have to be at the center to matter, as long as their work reaches people in real ways.” (Herman Lagon | Rex Paulino | PAMMCO)

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April 8 2026

ISUFST Admission Qualifiers for AY 2026–2027

ISUFST Admin Activities SDG 4

Main Campus Tiwi Site

March 30 2026

ISUFST CHM Shines at COHREP Western Visayas

ISUFST Admin Activities, Recognitions SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9

Fifty Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) II students and two faculty members from the College of Hospitality Management proudly joined the 1,191 participants of the recently concluded 5th COHREP Western Visayas Regional Congress held on March 27, 2026, at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel. The event gathered hospitality management students, educators, and industry partners from across the region, creating a dynamic platform for learning, networking, and professional growth. The congress was made even more significant with the presence of distinguished keynote speakers Dr. Raul F. Muyong, CHED Regional Office VI Director, and Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., President of Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST).

The BSHM II students were accompanied by Instructors Enrique I. Sariño and Frenie Ann B. Permiso, with Dr. Ricardo J. Paborada Jr. serving as the head of the delegation. Their participation reflected the strong commitment of ISUFST to providing students with meaningful exposure to regional academic and industry engagements. Also present at the event was Instr. Ma. Paula E. Balbona, SIPP/SEAP Coordinator, who took the opportunity to strengthen partnerships with industry stakeholders and explore opportunities that will benefit student internship and professional development programs.

Adding to the significance of the event, members of the Ka-ISDA Vlog covered the congress, capturing highlights and experiences of the participants. The team was guided by their advisers, Instructors Jonard V. Verdeflor and Leo V. Paparon, whose mentorship continues to empower students to document and share the university’s milestones. The participation of ISUFST in this regional congress underscores the institution’s active role in advancing hospitality education, fostering collaboration, and preparing future hospitality professionals for the evolving demands of the industry.

FLAVORS OF EXCELLENCE: CHM Culinary Team Places Fourth in COHREP Iron Chef’s Showdown

The Culinary Team of the College of Hospitality Management (CHM) proudly secured a 4th place finish in the Iron Chefs Category during the recently concluded 5th COHREP Western Visayas Regional Skills Olympics held on March 28, 2026, at the Fountain Area of Robinsons Place, Iloilo. The competition brought together talented student chefs from various institutions across the region, showcasing creativity, technical skills, and the rich culinary heritage of Western Visayas. Representing the campus in this prestigious culinary showdown were three promising student chefs: Denmark J. Quinoveva and Rhozen O. Etino, both BSHM II students, and Christ John M. Arabit, a BSHM I student, who demonstrated remarkable teamwork and innovation in the kitchen.

For the appetizer round, Quinoveva impressed the judges with Umami Rolls, a classic Ilonggo-inspired lumpia crafted from fresh Visayan shrimp blended with pork fat and finely chopped jolly mushrooms. Wrapped in thin rice paper and deep-fried to perfection, the dish featured a crisp exterior and a succulent, flavorful filling, complemented by tangy pickled onions that balanced richness with acidity. Meanwhile, Etino elevated the main course with Darag Royale in Coconut Embrace, a refined dish highlighting premium Darag chicken stuffed with malunggay and native chili leaves. Baked to tenderness and finished with a velvety coconut milk and coconut cream reduction, the dish was served with sautéed green papaya and bell peppers, alongside dehydrated organic black rice that added texture and a subtle nutty finish.

Completing the team’s culinary presentation, Arabit prepared the dessert KBL Hopia de Oro, a modern Filipino creation inspired by the Ilonggo flavors of Kadyos, Baboy, and Langka (KBL). The golden-baked hopia featured a filling of steamed kadyos and caramelized langka, elegantly plated over caramelized batwan and finished with a silky coconut reduction. The team’s achievement highlights the growing excellence of CHM students in culinary innovation, as they skillfully blended heritage ingredients with modern techniques. Their performance not only showcased the university’s commitment to developing future culinary professionals but also celebrated the richness of local flavors on a regional stage.

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