SEAFDEC back in shape, pursues strategic programs

Tigbauan, Iloilo—The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Aquaculture Department (AQD) is back in shape after having survived difficult challenges in its operations last year.  It now shifts strategies to become responsive.

SEAFDEC AQD Chief Dr. Rolando Platon said that as they celebrate their 32 nd year of service in the country this July 2005, SEAFDEC focuses more on food security and poverty alleviation.

With reduced funding given to the agency because of the financial crisis,  SEAFDEC has begun prioritizing its activities to become more relevant to the national development thrusts of the Arroyo administration.

Dr. Platon said that SEAFDEC has maximized its resources to create livelihood opportunities through aquaculture development among marginal fishery sectors.

He further stated that with the shift in strategies, SEAFDEC has increased productivity through improved and sustainable aquaculture technology as well as packaging these technologies so that they can be made available for those who need them.

Platon also said that they were able to become more focused in their programs because they have intensified their partnerships and linkages with various sectors in the regional and national communities.

By regional, Platon added, means that they have strengthened their working partnerships with other Asian member countries through shared responsibility by embarking on  projects that are of common interest with each other.

In the national level, SEAFDEC has increased collaboration with private sectors, research organizations and the academe, like the UP in the Visayas, the Mindanao State University, and government agencies like Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Land bank of the Philippines, LGUs and NGOs.

For training initiatives, SEAFDEC has been collaborating with the TESDA, MERALCO Foundation Incorporated, the Department of Land Reform and some LGUs.

Over and above, Dr. Platon said that their shift in strategies to become more relevant goes with their desire to contribute in improving the economy of the country, through food security and poverty alleviation. (PIA 6 /ESSubong)