By Aljon P. Tugaoen

Sustaining its efforts on aquatic resources management, the Mariano Marcos State University obtained the 2022 Regional Gawad Pagkilala award from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Region 1 today, September 16.

Dr. Veronica Grande, dean of the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology, received the award at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, City of San Fernando, La Union. CASAT spearheads the university’s continued advocacy on sustainable management of fisheries and aquatic resources and relentless campaign against unsustainable fishing activities.

The Gawad Pagkilala Award is given to BFAR’s partner institutions which have shown unique and relevant efforts in the protection and advancement of fisheries livelihood and industry through implementation of projects geared toward sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

Grande said in an interview that the college, “will continue to advance our approach to these endeavors as these will surely benefit the coastal communities.”

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis congratulated CASAT for its consistent efforts supportive to the mandates of BFAR. “We have always been at the heart of serving Ilokano coastal communities and it is our duty to make them feel empowered through are programs and projects,” she beamed.

Since 2009, MMSU has held the distinction of being a National University of Fisheries conferred by the National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (NAFES) through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

MMSU and BFAR have been collaborating for innovative activities and programs, including mangrove transplantation, regular coastal clean-up activities, fishery management planning activities, and fiberglass boat construction.

With the theme “Pagkain ng Bansa Siguruhin, Likas-kayang Produksyon ng Isda Isulong Natin,” [Uphold the nation’s food security by forwarding sustainable fish production] the event was attended by BFAR’s institutional partners in the region.  (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)