Cebu City, Cebu – AFOS Foundation and its main local partner in the Philippines, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI) sat down on 20th March 2023 to refine the roles of CCCI in the project steering structure of the FISH Visayas Project. More than this, AFOS and CCCI developed a project concept on Business Membership Organization (BMO) capacitation in the implementation of initiatives and programs on upskilling women in different strata. In particular, the fields of fisheries, food, creatives, and construction.

Present at the Project Concept Development Workshop are the following:

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Joy Lorena A. Segismar, Executive Director

Jovito B. Bocado II, Executive Assistant

Ma. Rose B. Paglinawan, Chamber Growth Manager

Riza G. Majan, Finance, and Admin Services Manager

Elpe P. Canoog, Business Development Manager

Maribel Y. Melgar, Cebu Business Mobilizaiton Manager

Karen Joy Autor, FISH Visayas Project Coordinator

May Elizabeth S. Ybañez, Management Adviser

AFOS Foundation – Philippines

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

Elvira L. Rivera, Administrative Officer

Mary Ruth I. Ochavillo, Knowledge Management Coordinator

The concept of “Women Entrepreneurs Certified. Advanced. Networked, WECAN in Chambers: Women in FISH. Women in Creatives. Women in FOOD” is identified as a notion for potential project collaboration between AFOS Foundation and CCCI. Further, granting the three levels of the FISH Visayas Project Steering Structure, CCCI agrees as the main driver and convenor for the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Provincial Oversight Committee (POC) in Cebu. For the POC in other project areas (Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor), CCCI serves as a driver, at the same time provides necessary technical assistance at the provincial level. Finally, for the Site Management Committee (SMC) in Cebu, the CCCI Chapters serve as the main convenor. CCCI on this level provides necessary technical assistance and further monitors the activity implementation. For the SMC in other project areas (Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor), CCCI primarily steers monitoring of activities at the site level.