In 2014, the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos was commissioned by the DILG to conduct a Citizen Satisfaction Index System Survey in Bacolod City. Basing from the results of the survey, enforcement of fishery laws in municipal waters (conservation of mangroves) has the lowest citizen’s satisfaction net score among agricultural support services/programs.
This year, we are once again privileged for another opportunity to avail of the DILG Technical Assistance Program for Local Resource Institute (LRI). Our project is entitled, “Education and Training in Integrated Coastal Management of Selected Coastal Barangays in Bacolod City”.
Last July 11, 2015, the Research, Planning and Development Office conducted the “Fishery Law Enforcement Training” as the first part of the project to the fisherfolks of coastal barangays in Bacolod City. The said training was attended by 23 fisherfolks from Barangay Sum-ag, Barangay Tangub, Barangay Punta Taytay, Barangay Singcang-Airport, and Barangay Banago.
The UNO-R research team composed of Dr. Mona Freda Secondes, RPDO Director; Ms. Ma. Cecilia Mercado, RPDO External Research Coordinator; Dr. Ma Elena Doruelo, faculty of the College of Education; Ms. Lilyn Estrada, faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Ms. Caryl Vina Jabasa, faculty of the College of Criminal Justice Education spearheaded the event. Mr. Roberto Espinosa, the OIC of the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Center and the OIC of the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region VI, talked on “Philippine Fishery Laws“while LCDR Ramil Palabrica, the Station Commander of the Philippine Coast Guard – Bacolod talked on Maritime and Coastal Management.
Present during the training were Atty. Hermilo Pa-oyon, the OIC of Bacolod City Agriculture Office; Mr. Delfin Vasquez, the Senior Aquaculturist of Bacolod City and the Chair of the Bacolod City Bantay Dagat; Mr. Anton Raymund Agbay, the Consultant of the Municipality of Cauayan Bantay Dagat; PO1 Mark Clement Tupas, Deputy of Environmental Natural Resources Office (DENRO) of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO); PO1 Danny Abalayan and PO1 Alain Balleza of the Task Force Bantay Dagat.
Fr. Eduardo Celiz, OAR, the University President; Fr. Albert Pellazar, the Vice-President for Academics; Ms. Annabee Magbanua, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Nena Samillano, the Dean of the College of Education were also present.
The second part of the training was the Self Defense Workshop with Mr. Ferdinand Emmanuel Gayoles, International Martial Arts Grandmaster and faculty of the College of Criminal Justice Education as the trainer.
The fisher folks were very thankful for the experience, for they returned to their Barangays with more knowledge and inspiration in improving their way of life. They also brought with them gift packs, courtesy of our partner College – the College of Arts and Sciences.
The students from the partner colleges: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Education; and College of Criminal Justice Education; helped during the training. Other sponsors are the UNO-R Faculty-Employee Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (FEMAA-MPC); and the UNO-R Supreme Student Government (UNORSSGO).