A partnership has been forged between the University of the Philippines Visayas and Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology as the College becomes an official member of the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development, also known as Too Big To Ignore Philippines (TBTI Philippines). The MOA signing was attended by UP Visayas Chancellor Clement C. Camposano and TBTI Philippines Executive Director, Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, while ZSCMST was represented by the college president, Dr. Jaime G. Jalon, and Dr. Rufa L. Mendez, Vice-President for Research, Innovation, and Extension served as the witness. The said MOA signing was conducted at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City, Philippines, on October 18, 2023, which is also the venue for the 7th International Conference on Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

TBTI Philippines, envisioned to be the lead organization for policy inputs and advice on small-scale fisheries matters in the country, is based at UP Visayas Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines. It aims to promote the conduct of transdisciplinary small-scale fisheries research and governance in order to promote the welfare of small-scale fishers. For ZSCMST, being a part of this consortium is a step up in upholding its role as a center of excellence in fisheries in the Zamboanga Peninsula to advocate for sustainable fisheries and ensure that no one is left behind.

Photo credits: Gualberto Lantaya, Jr.; Pearl Santacera