Guimaras milkfish training draws to a close

Guimaras milkfish training draws to a close

The Season-long training course on milkfish cage culture (Phase 2) drew to a close last December 10 at the Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Municipal Gymnasium.

A total of 122 fisherfolk from Nueva Valencia Brgys. Igang, Magamay, San Antionio, and Sto. Domingo who successfully completed the training course which took off May this year.

Present to award the certificates of training to the participants were Nueva Valencia Mayor Hon. Alex Araneta, Citi Philippines Asst. Vice President for Corporate Affairs Ms. Mai Gacilo Sangalang, Petron Foundation Executive Director Ms. Marilou Erni, Petron Iloilo Depot Manager Mr. Francis Denuna, Petron Foundation staff Ms. Kelly Cedeño, AQD Chief JD Toledo, and TID Head Mr. RF Agbayani. Fisherfolk receive their certificate of training from AQD, Citi. Petron, and Nueva Valencia LGU officials

Fisherfolk receive their certificate of training from AQD, Citi. Petron, and Nueva Valencia LGU officials

During the program, two fisherfolk organizations from Brgy. San Antonio also received checks in the amount of P22,208.82 representing their profit shares in their last fish cage production run.

Another round of harvests are expected by February next year from the milkfish cages of Brgys. Igang, Magamay, and Sto Domingo.

Mr. Agbayani meanwhile revealed to the fisherfolk that while the day marked the end of the training course that taught them the aquaculture technology, the Mariculture livelihood program for Guimaras fisherfolk will still continue in order to teach them business management skills.

“We will partner with an NGO that will handle training courses on enterprise development as well as some community organizing activities.”

Mr. Agbayani adds that a socioeconomist from AQD will also continue to visit the communities to monitor the profitability of the livelihood program.

“We will then look for partners in microfinance and market linkaging to complete the whole process.”

Among the many fisherfolks who offered a message of thanks to Petron, Citi, the LGU, and AQD was Mr. Nelson Gonzaga, chairman of the Magamay Small Fisherfolks Association who also expressed his hopes for the future of the project.

“Kabay pa nga ining programa mangin madinuagon asta sa sunod nga mga henerasyon sang aton mga kabataan. Kag kabay, nga ining programa, indi kita mag-kanya-kanya kundi ini tanan buligan naton para sa kauswagan sang aton asosasyon” (I hope that this program will remain successful up until the next generation of our children. And I hope that we will not do this project individually, but let us help each other for the progress of our association).

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