The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XI—Human Resource and Management Unit (HRMU)—Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) successfully conducted a Year-end Evaluation and Learning and Development Intervention for the existing FSP scholars of BFAR XI.

Yearly, BFAR XI-FSP conducts a year-end evaluation and academic performance review activity in order to gauge the scholars’ academic standings, address the prevailing issues and concerns, and reinforce learning and development interventions to boost their leadership skills and positively contribute to scholars’ overall wellbeing.

FSP scholars from Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) and Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) and alumni from Zamboanga State College and Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) and SPAMAST attended the year-end activity.

On Day 1, BFAR XI 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫-𝐢𝐧-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚 kick-off the event with his welcome message highlighting the main purpose of the event which is to enhance learning opportunities and camaraderie among scholars. “This is also an avenue for BFAR XI to assess and evaluate academic performance, address various issues faced by scholars, and come up with possible solutions,” RD Garcia said.

𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐳 𝐃. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠, BFAR FSP consultant, was invited as a guest speaker. She tackled the importance of values towards success, emphasizing the five (5) moral values in a student’s life such as honesty, integrity, empathy, compassion and responsibility. “Maintaining these values and beliefs encourages the students to persevere through difficult times and to work hard to achieve their goals” said Dr. Manalang.

Two (2) resource speakers, 𝐒𝐢𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐂. 𝐂𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐨 of Sunlife Inc. and 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐂. 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), were invited to discuss the topics on financial literacy and cybersecurity & data privacy, respectively. These topics aim to equip the scholars with essential skills and knowledge in managing their finances and making sound financial decision, and moreover to raise awareness regarding the importance of having a safe and secure digital environment, especially nowadays where social media and other digital platforms are becoming mainstream.

FSP Recognition Night was also organized to give merit to those scholars who showcased exemplary academic performance and alumni who recently passed the 2023 Licensure Examination for Fisheries Professionals.

On Day 2, the BFAR XI team headed by 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐃. 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 and BFAR Central Office personnel headed by 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐁. 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐥 with 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠, BFAR FSP Consultant, facilitated the monitoring and evaluation of existing BFAR XI FSP scholars. Many issues and concerns of the scholars were brought up during the open forum and were taken into account on the next meeting for the amendment of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 257-1, otherwise known as the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) Guidelines.

During the open forum 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬, of BFAR XI, and a first batch of Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG), shared his experience as a beneficiary of FSP. “Our stipend before was two thousand pesos and I can say that determination became my key in order to fulfill my dreams.” said Mr. Manes. “After graduation, I wasn’t immediately hired by the bureau. I worked in many different companies until BFAR notified me for a job vacancy, an opportunity for me to be part of the agency which I really am grateful of. And now, I am a regular employee at the BFAR XI.” he added.

Election of BFAR XI FSP Scholars Association was held to further enhance the scholars’ leadership skills and provide a set of officers where other scholars can raise their issues and concerns. These officers are expected to be the lead voice of their co-scholars towards a more effective and efficient communication between the scholars and BFAR XI. 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐂. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛, 2nd Year, of SPAMAST, was elected as the President, while 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐅. 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨, 3rd Year, of DNSC, was elected as the Vice President.

Closing remarks was given by 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐃. 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧, BFAR XI Regional FSP Coordinaror. She expressed her deep appreciation to all people, schools, organization, guests, speakers, BFAR XI Personnel, BFAR Central Office, alumni and the existing scholars who made this activity a very memorable one.