by Rollin Dave M. Elloren

MACABALAN, Cagayan de Oro City (Aug. 08) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-10), in coordination with the Fisheries Industry Development and Support Services Division (FIDSSD) from BFAR Central Office, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños – Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (UPLB-DAME), rendered a five-day Strategic Entrepreneurship Mentorship Program (SEMP): Skills and Knowledge Building Training for fishery-based Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), this city.

Funded under the Fisheries Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, the training apprised 14 fishery-based MSMEs of the Fisheries Management Area 9 (FMA-9), representing regions 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13.

Accordingly, entrepreneurship and management training are practical approaches that aim to develop long-term skills and knowledge among MSME entrepreneurs and BFAR manpower.

Misamis Oriental Provincial Fishery Officer Arlene B. Novo, representing BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward B. Yasay, extended a warm welcome to all participants, resource persons, and BFAR facilitators, emphasizing the value of the event in equipping attendees with practical tools and insights.

“I am thrilled to see such committed participants here. I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity, engage actively, learn from our esteemed experts, and exchange experiences with your fellow entrepreneurs,” Novo stated.

Novo also expressed her optimism for the development of fishery-based enterprises, underscoring their potential to significantly impact the economy.

“Let us work together to build a brighter future for our fisher-based MSMEs and contribute to the resilience and prosperity of our coastal communities,” she added. 

Meanwhile, BFAR FIDSSD Chief Amor G. Diaz highlighted the program’s new perspective on teaching and learning, particularly outcome-based.

“Our approach emphasizes the use of practical tools and templates for producing effective plans and strategies. These resources are designed to be used long after the training concludes,” Diaz explained.

Throughout the training, participants were engaged in multilateral dialogue and workshops regarding the entrepreneurial and strategic aspects of business, such as entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and accounting, as well as the technical aspects of production, processing, and others.

In an interview, Kirstie D. Fuentes, owner of Cristy Pasalubong food products, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the activity, which will help her gain more knowledge about running a business.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat nga naka-attend ko ani nga training kay daghan kaayo kog nakat-unan kabahin sa mga strategy nga angay buhaton (sa pag-negosyo), sama sa pag-market sa produkto, pag-develop sa imong produkto, sa branding, ug sa iyang promotional aspect,” she said.

[I am very grateful that I’m able to attend this training because I learned a lot about the strategies in entrepreneurship that should be implemented, such as marketing the product, developing your product, branding, and its promotional aspects.]

(RDE//BFAR-10)