Cebu City, Cebu – On November 20, 2024, the FISH Visayas Project Advisory Committee (PAC) convened for its fourth bi-annual assembly at the DA-BFAR Region VII, Cebu City. The meeting serves as a review of the project’s status, upcoming plans until project conclusion in 2025, and related points requiring decisions and agreements among the main project implementers.

As the committee that steers the policy direction of the project, it is relevant that PAC members are well-informed to make decisions covering the interventions for the project areas in Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Key Discussions and Management Updates

PAC members were well-informed on the accomplishments of the project from July 2022 to November 2024. Information on achievements in the four areas was presented by key result areas, indicators, and targets with respect to the present achievements of the project.

Additionally, planned activities from November 2024 to June 2025 were approved by the PAC members. Directions and recommendations were gathered that were relevant to the conduct of the activities, as presented by area coordinators.

The PAC members also received updates on recent activities at the project management level. These included the Project Progress Review and the courtesy visits of Mr. Norbert Weiss, FISH Visayas Project Management Adviser, to key project partners in the Philippines in the month of October.

Key Attendees and Representation

The meeting engaged a total of 20 participants for the 4th PAC Meeting. 7 of the 20 participants are members of the PAC. The rest are part of the FISH Visayas Project team of AFOS Foundation, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., DA- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region No. VII, and DA- BFAR Cebu Provincial Fishery Office.

The session convened with the presence of the following key members: Mr. Jay Yuvallos, President of the CCCI and PAC Chair; Ms. Joy Lorena Segismar, CCCI Executive Director; Ms. Yvette Hope P. Labus, Project Manager and Philippine Resident Representative of AFOS Foundation; Mr. Mario Ruinata, Regional Director of the DA-BFAR Region VII; and Engr. Jesus Zamora, Jr., Regional Director of DOST Region VII, along with Assistant Regional Director, Engr. Tristan Abando, PhD., and and Asst. Regional Director of DTI Region 7 Central Visayas, Ms. Esperanza “Hope” Melgar.

Future Directions

As a result of the meeting, the project team of FISH Visayas successfully identified additional key activities to be incorporated into their work and financial plans through June 2025. These initiatives include the development of a training program for blue swimming crabs, a training-of-trainers program for the Cebu Food Consultancy Group, and the inclusion of criteria for standard product packaging and labeling to be issued by DOST Region VII and DTI Region VII as part of the FISH Visayas quality seal/ checklist.

Other planned activities include training programs for MSMEs on digital promotions and marketing in collaboration with DTI Region VII, as well as consultations with DA-BFAR Region VII and LGUs to establish criteria for recognizing and awarding model sites.

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The 4th PAC Meeting aims to achieve all the results of the FISH Visayas Project.