13/07/2026
๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐
๐๐โ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐
The On-the-Job Training (OJT) program of the MSU-MCSE Fisheries trainees in BFARโCaraga continues to provide meaningful opportunities for experiential learning through laboratory work, aquaculture operations, fisheries extension, and community engagement. Across the different Technology Outreach Stations (TOS) in the Caraga Region, the trainees are developing technical competencies while gaining a deeper appreciation for the fisheries sector.
๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐
๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง | ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐โ๐๐
The OJT immersion commenced with an orientation facilitated by Mr. Dennis Brylle Balambao, OIC followed by an introductory discussion on seaweeds. Throughout the laboratory training, the trainees monitored water quality parameters three times daily, counted seaweed plantlets, and changed culture water three times a week to ensure optimal growth conditions.
The trainees also attended a discussion on Red Tide Monitoring facilitated by Ms. Cecile C. Bag-ao, followed by a microscope demonstration together with Mr. Jayrald Perez, where they learned the parts of the microscope and the proper identification and enumeration of plankton species. They further participated in the homogenization of shellfish meat for red tide monitoring under the supervision of Ms. Leony Ann D. Fernandez, assisted by Mr. Mauro Bernido, and Ms. Cecile Bag-ao. Additional lectures and practical exercises on Parasitology were facilitated by Mr. Arjay Calaycay and Mr. Jayrald Perez, while discussions and activities on Water Quality Monitoring were conducted by Ms. Leony and Ms. Cecile. Furthermore, the trainees also participated in Fish โN Learn Training together with the beneficiaries facilitated by Mr. Jan Jacob P. Mendoza, Ms. Remily Ordoรฑa and staff, where they not only enhanced their financial literacy, investment awareness, and decision-making skills but also got the chance to engage with the fisherfolk โ not just as students, but as individuals who shared meaningful conversations, built genuine connections, and gained a deeper understanding of their livelihoods, experiences, and the importance of financial empowerment in coastal communities.
The laboratory immersion concluded with the outplanting of micropropagated seaweed plantlets from the Regional Fisheries Integrated Laboratory Section into the Sea-based Seaweed Nursery in Bretania, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, allowing the trainees to witness the practical application of sustainable seaweed production.
๐๐๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐๐๐) | ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐โ๐๐
The trainees then proceeded to Masao Technology Outreach Station (MTOS) in Butuan City, where they attended an orientation facilitated by Mr. Ian Batitang, LPT, RFP, MPA, Officer-in-Charge and Senior Aquaculturist of MTOS.
During their stay, the trainees actively participated in feeding, selecting and transferring bangus fingerlings according to size into hapa nets for conditioning assisted by MTOS farm workers namely: Mr. Bonifacio Escartin, Mr. Angelito Fabre, Mr. Junie Toledo Jr., Mr. Relante Resonar, Mr. Reynaldo Tumala, Mr. Teresito Cedron, and Mr. Florencio Agbo. The trainees also assisted in repairing seepage and sewing hapa nets under the guidance of Mr. Relante Resonar. They also assisted in packing of bangus fingerlings for dispersal to Magallanes and Buenavista associations as part of their beneficiaries. They also learned the proper technique of cast net throwing demonstrated by Mr. Reynaldo Tumala. These activities strengthened their practical knowledge of aquaculture management and fisheries extension.
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐๐๐) | ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐โ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐
The learning journey continued at Placer Technology Outreach Station (PTOS) in Placer, Surigao del Norte. Here, the trainees performed routine aquaculture activities, including feeding bangus fingerlings, checking water quality parameters three times daily, transferring bangus fingerlings into hapa nets for conditioning, repairing seepage, and heightening dikes to improve pond management assisted by the stationโs staff.
The trainees also attended a discussion on the history of PTOS and milkfish (bangus) culture facilitated by Ms. Leticia A. Alaba, OIC providing them with a better understanding of the station's role in aquaculture development. Practical activities included counting saline tilapia fry, sewing hapa nets, and collecting fish samples from randomly selected ponds. Under the guidance of Ms. Cheryl Mie E. Acosta, Aquacultural Technologist โ the trainees participated in collecting fish samples from randomly selected ponds and learned how to compute the Average Body Weight (ABW) and determine the Daily Feeding Ratio (DFR), both of which are essential for effective feeding management. They also tied the edges of polyethylene plastic bags with rubber bands to prevent milkfish (bangus) from becoming trapped during transport. Furthermore, the trainees also assisted in packing milkfish fingerlings for dispersal to Surigao City.
๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐๐๐) | ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ
Currently, the trainees are assigned to the Kitcharao Technology Outreach Station (KTOS) in Agusan del Norte. Their immersion began with an orientation facilitated by Ms. Irene Goring.
The trainees have since participated in packing carp and tilapia fry for dispersal to San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. They also joined farm monitoring activities, including parasitology, water quality monitoring, and the collection of samples for Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) surveillance under the supervision of Dr. Aldrin Keith Dialde, DVM-Veterinarian II, Ms. Leony, Ms. Cecile, and Mr. Arjay Calaycay.
As part of the BASIL (Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa) initiative, the trainees, together with Mr. Jay Ehm T. Balambao, Aquacultural Technician II and Mr. Rolly Itchon, participated in the planting of freshwater mangroves in Barangay Libas, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. They also assisted in the Cash-for-Work program facilitated by Ms. Laila M. Holoyohoy, OIC demonstrating the importance of community participation in freshwater ecosystem restoration.
Currently on their fourth station out of the five BFARโCaraga OJT stations, the trainees continue to broaden their knowledge, strengthen their technical skills, and gain valuable field experience. More than fulfilling an academic requirement, this OJT journey continues to shape them into competent and socially responsible future fisheries professionals who are committed to the sustainable management, conservation, and development of the country's aquatic resources.
๐๏ธ: Jennylyn Arad
๐ผ๏ธ: Gwen Darlene Ocate
