Cebu City, Cebu – The binding agreement between AFOS Foundation and partner national government agencies in Central Visayas was executed on February 02, 2023, at the Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Cebu City. The agreement provides a framework for collaboration between the partners, recognizing the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to promote sustainable fisheries & related food value chains in Central Visayas through the FISH Visayas Project. Further, the agreement supports the improvement of the income situation of fisheries-dependent families and MSMEs along the fisheries and related value chains. The Project will be implemented until June 2025.

Following the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony is the first Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting along with its members; AFOS Foundation, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and national government agencies — DA – BFAR 7, DOST 7, and DTI 7. The members approved the FISH Visayas project steering structure and the terms of reference of the PAC. Updates on project accomplishments and upcoming activities for the 1st quarter of 2023 were also presented by the knowledge management and area coordinators of the Project.

The next step is to begin operationalizing the MOA and recently approved Project steering structure following the planned activities as scheduled in the respective Area Work Plans of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental & Siquijor.

Present in the MOA Signing Ceremony and the Project Advisory Committee Meeting are the following key individuals:

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Charles Kenneth Co, President

Joy Lorena Amador–Segismar, Executive Director

DA – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region VII

Dr. Allan L. Poquita, Regional Director

Dr. Mario N. Ruinata, Senior Aquaculture Officer-in-Charge

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Region VII

Engr. Jesus F. Zamora, Jr., Regional Director

Engr. Tristan L. Abando, Assistant Regional Director

Engr. Juan Edgar C. Osorio, SRS II, Provincial S&T Office Cebu, DOST

Adrian D. Cruz, OIC, Provincial S&T Office Cebu, DOST

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VII

Esperanza L. Melgar, Assistant Regional Director

AFOS Foundation of Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation

Yvette Hope P. Labus, Project Manager and Philippine Resident Representative

Bryan M. Araneta, Bohol Area Coordinator and Focal Person on Skills Development

Nivani Andrea J. Lasala, Cebu Area Coordinator

Rosario H. Ouano, Finance Manager

Rosalia S. Vistal, Finance Associate

Elvira L. Rivera, Administrative Officer

Arnel T. Taneo, Administrative Assistant

Mary Ruth I. Ochavillo, Knowledge Management Coordinator

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On September 1, 2022, the FISH Visayas Project Partners entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to collaborate and coordinate their efforts through programs and activities as may be identified and agreed upon in a common program of action in order to promote Sustainable Fisheries and Related Food Value Chains in selected areas in Central Visayas.

The project partners include: Business Membership Organizations (BMOs), the Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (BCCI), Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) and its Bantayan Island Chapter, Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative (DCCCO) Multipurpose Cooperative, and Siquijor Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (SCCII); National Government Agencies, the DA – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 7 (DA – BFAR 7), the Department of Science & Technology – Region 7 (DOST – 7), and the Department of Trade & Industry – Region 7 (DTI – 7); and the Local Government Units of Alburquerque, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Tagbilaran City, Ubay, Bantayan, Cordova, La Libertad, San Juan and Siquijor.