TACLOBAN CITY – At least 19 individuals from Northern Samar province have been awarded scholarships through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) program.

The scholarship recipients hail from the municipalities of Laoang, San Roque, Las Navas, Pambujan, Palapag, Lavezares, Mondragon, Catarman, Victoria, Rosario, Bobon, and Capul.
The provincial government of Northern Samar, led by Governor Edwin Ongchuan, has welcomed this initiative, which aims to support deserving college students in completing their education.

“Gov. Ongchuan places a high priority on education and is implementing various scholarship programs for the Nortehanons, alongside other educational assistance initiatives from national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and non-government organizations,” the provincial government stated in a press release.

The awarding ceremony for the OWWA Scholarship Program took place at the Sumuroy Hall on October 10, 2024.

Under this program, scholars are entitled to receive educational assistance of P20,000 per year for qualified dependents of active OWWA member-OFWs whose monthly salary does not exceed $600, or at least P34,500.

Before receiving the scholarship grants, the beneficiaries participated in a values orientation and financial literacy program. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)

ALBUERA,Leyte – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) took part in the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) at Brgy. Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Assistant District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco, who led the team of volunteers, remarked, “This beautiful stretch of coastline is an important part of our community and we’re all here to do our part in keeping it clean and safe.”

Equipped with brooms, gloves, and other cleaning materials, employees from the DEO diligently combed the coastline, collecting trash and debris that had accumulated along the shore. Their collective efforts resulted in the retrieval of 90 sacks of waste.

OIC-District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin also highlighted the broader impact of the activity stating, “Taking part in this activity is an important reminder that the work we do goes beyond building infrastructure but also in protecting the environment. Every small action we take today helps ensure that our coastlines remain healthy and inspires everyone to consider the well-being of our surrounding.”

The ICC, an initiative spearheaded by The Ocean Conservancy, is celebrated globally and aims to address the growing issue of ocean pollution by gathering volunteers to clean coastal areas. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – A giant aquaculture firm is seeking 300 hectares of coastal area in Northern Samar to support its production of farm-raised seafood.

The Northern Samar provincial government reported on Thursday that Nortberto Chingcuanco, Fisher Farms Inc. vice president of corporate planning, led a site assessment and stakeholders meeting with fishermen from the coastal towns of San Jose, Palapag, and Laoang from Oct. 7 to 9.

“Fisher Farms expressed their intention to set up sea fish cages in Northern Samar to support their exports of high-quality seafood to the US, Canada, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe,” Jhon Allen Berbon, Northern Samar provincial economic development and investment promotions office, said in a phone interview.

To date, the aquaculture firm has the largest number of sea fish cages in the country, and the majority of its business is driven by its milkfish products.

Fisher Farms grows most of its milkfish in the seawaters of Pangasinan. It is then made into deli, breaded, smoked, marinated, ready to heat, and unseasoned milkfish. The company also offers raw, breaded shrimp, and cooked shrimp.

“The firm actively engaged with fishermen, sharing insights and strategies to elevate sustainable practices. They also facilitated a connection for a local resident of Palapag with a businessman interested in sourcing crabs, demonstrating commitment to local empowerment,” Berbon said.

The official said the Board of Investments, through Investment Assistance Service rector Ernesto Delos Reyes, has been instrumental in linking the provincial government with Fisher Farms Inc. (PNA)

Manila-The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), turned over P5 million ($89,500) in aquaculture equipment to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte to support fisherfolk in sustainably farming tilapia.
USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks handed over the donation to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc at the government-owned Pasuquin Fish Farm on October 10.

“The United States is proud to support fishers in Ilocos Norte with tools that can increase their income and create resilient communities,” Deputy Mission Director Eubanks said. “These supplies will help fishers, especially those impacted by the recent Super Typhoon Julian, restore their livelihood and contribute to long-term food security by increasing affordable sources of protein for local communities.”

“I’d like to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to USAID on behalf of our fisherfolk and on behalf of over 610,000 Ilocanos. We really look forward to working closer with USAID for the benefit of our Ilocanos,” Governor Manotoc said.

The donation includes a generator, a 1,000-watt solar-powered outdoor light, a ring blower, an oxygen tank, a submersible pump, an aerator for a paddle wheel, a sewing machine for net production and repair, fish fingerlings, fish breeders, and feed.

The equipment and supplies are expected to boost the farm’s current tilapia production by 20 percent by ensuring a stable supply of electricity, increasing the stock of fingerlings and breeders, and maximizing the facility’s overall efficiency.

USAID also donated fish cages to 70 fishers representing fisherfolk associations from the municipalities of Pasuquin, Bangui, and Pagudpud, and whose fishing equipment were damaged by Super Typhoon Julian.

This assistance is part of USAID’s P41-million grant to Impl. Project Philippines to create conservation-based livelihood projects, help manage marine protected areas, and conduct research and development into seaweed and aquaculture farming in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Palawan.

While in Ilocos Norte, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to boosting innovation, education, and economic development in the region.
On October 9, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks visited the Batac Campus of Mariano Marcos State University to mark its inclusion in a network of 22 universities under USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) project.

Through this program, USAID provides career mentoring to help students embark on successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She also launched USAID’s WISER app, an interactive platform that educates the public about renewable energy.

She also delivered remarks at the graduation ceremony of 91 young Ilocanos who completed a 15-day course in construction as part of USAID’s YouthWorks PH project. This course helped the graduates obtain jobs at construction firms such as AsiaPro, Worklife, and Datem.

During her visit, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between USAID’s U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program and the Ilocos Norte Regional Development Council’s Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee.

This new partnership will create new relationships and strengthen existing cooperation between the government, private sector, and the academia to align investments and foster innovation that will drive growth and development in the region. (PR)