The National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Research and Development or Too-Big-To-Ignore (TBTI) Philippines had its Third Executive Committee (ExeCom) Meeting last 01 July 2024 at the Obdulia F. Sison Hall Conference Room, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Los Baños, Laguna. UPLB hosted the 3rd ExeCom meeting.
The meeting started with a welcome message from the UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr. Chancellor Camacho highlighted in his message the importance of coming together to pursue a common goal.
Dr. Nathaniel Bantayan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, gave an overview of UPLB. VCRE Bantayan shared how collaboration and partnership can be achieved through research and development.
The TBTI Philippines Executive Director, Dr. Alice Joan Ferrer, acknowledged the attendance of the members of the ExeCom who are heads (president and chancellors) and representatives of the member-higher education institutions in the country. There were 49 attendees in total. Currently, TBTI Philippines has 42 members-HEIs and 31 were represented in the meeting.
The Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Dr. Clement Camposano called the meeting to order after a quorum. Dr. Ferrer presented the accomplishments of the consortium from November 2023 – June 2024 and was approved by the ExeCom with commendation. The working committees such as the Conference and Fora Committee; Capacity Building Committee; Publication and Publicity Committee also presented their accomplishments and plans within the year.
Dr. Ferrer presented the preparations for the First Philippines Small Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS1) on 16-18 October 2024 in Iloilo City. The PSSFNS1 with the theme, “Small-scale Fisheries in the Philippines are Too Big to Ignore,” is the first symposium in the country that is highly focused on small-scale fisheries. The three-day symposium will gather various stakeholders in the fisheries sector such as the fishers, fisheries managers, scientists, researchers, LGU representatives, policymakers, students, advocates, civic organizations, non-government organizations, advocacy groups, practitioners, media, and artists around the country. The aim is to give attention to SSF in the Philippines and let stakeholders contribute to the creation of ways to make SSF sustainable and viable in the country (https://tbtiphpssfns.upv.edu.ph/).
UPV is organizing this symposium with Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU), Central Philippines State University (CPSU), Northern Iloilo State University (NISU), State University of Northern Negros (SUNN), and University of Antique (UA).
Several items were also discussed such as the upcoming TBTI Philippines book projects, reports submission of member-HEIs, and partnerships with various national government agencies, among others.
Two formal MOA signings took place during the meeting. The first one is for the collaborative research project on “Assessing and Accelerating: Towards the Full Implementation of the FAO Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines in the Philippines” funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture and Aquatic Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). UPV, as the implementing agency, will be working in collaboration with TBTI Philippines through its four member-HEIs such as the Batangas State University ARASOF-Nasugbu (BatStateU ARASOF-Nasugbu), Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSU at Naawan), Partido State University (PSU), and Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) in this project for 18 months. The MOA was signed in UPLB by Chancellor Clement Camposano of UPV, Chancellor Enrico Dalangin of BatStateU ARASOF-Nasugbu, Chancellor Elnor Roa of MSU at Naawan, and President Arnel Zarcedo of PSU.
The second MOA signing was between TBTI Philippines as represented by Chancellor Camposano and Catanduanes State University (CatSU) as represented by President Patrick Alain Azanza. This is to formalize CatSU’s membership in TBTI Philippines.
The ExeCom will convene again in November 2024 for their 4th ExeCom meeting. The Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology will be the host.
