MMSU receives Gawad Pagkilala Award

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has awarded an Ilocos Norte-based state university for sustaining its efforts in aquatic resources management.

Daniel Tapaoan Jr., Mariano Marcos State University information officer, said the university received the 2022 Regional Gawad Pagkilala Award (GPA) which was received by Dr. Veronica Grande, dean of the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (Casat).

Grande said Casat spearheads the university’s continued advocacy for sustainable management of fisheries and aquatic resources, and relentless campaign against unsustainable fishing activities.

“We will continue to advance our approach to these endeavors as these will surely benefit the coastal communities,” Grande said.

The GPA was awarded by the BFAR Region 1 (Ilocos Region) at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, City of San Fernando, La Union on Sept.16, 2022.

Attended by BFAR’s institutional partners in the Ilocos Region, the event was anchored on the theme “Pagkain ng Bansa Siguruhin, Likas-kayang Produksyon ng Isda Isulong Natin” (Uphold the nation’s food security by forwarding sustainable fish production).

According to BFAR, the GPA 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 the implementation of projects geared toward sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

Tapaoan said MMSU has held the distinction of being a National University of Fisheries conferred by the National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System through the Commission on Higher Education.

“The university has been collaborating with the fisheries bureau for innovative activities and programs such as regular coastal clean-up activities, fishery management planning activities, mangrove transplantation and fiberglass boat construction,” he said.

MMSU President Shirley Agrupis congratulated Casat for its consistent efforts supportive of the mandates of BFAR.

“We have always been at the heart of serving Ilocano coastal communities, and it is our duty to make them feel empowered through our programs and projects,” Agrupis said.