DMMMSU’s Fisheries Research and Training Institute (FRTI) conducted a two-day training on sea salt production using an HDPE platform and on natural hand soap made from seaweeds in the coastal community of San Andres, Quezon, on February 21-22, 2024.

Sponsored by Dr. Hahn Bagful of Joy and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Andres in partnership with the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (DepEd ALS), the training pooled together community members from the selected barangays in San Andres and DepEd ALS learners.

The program featured hands-on sessions led by DMMMSU extension professionals. Among the extension professionals were Dr. Andie John D. Tadeo, Director for FRTI; Richard N. Rivera, Donna Perol, Aurelio Bisco, and Jordan Sibayan. Meanwhile, representing the sponsors and partners were Ms. Shiela Rito De Asis from Dr. Hahn Bagful of Joy, Ms. Rhea Ausa Razo from DepEd ALS, and Ms. Agnes Razo Caagbay from the Municipal Agriculturist Officer of San Andres.

Another highlight of the training program was the meeting of the DMMMSU extension team and the Mayor of San Andres, Hon. Ralph Edward B. Lim, where they discussed the technology of DMMMSU for the potential livelihood of his constituents in San Andres.

Moreover, Dr. Tadeo also listed potential livelihood projects that DMMMSU could offer to the people of San Andres, including salt and soap making and other fish processing technologies. The meeting laid the groundwork for the drafting of a memorandum of understanding/agreement between the LGU of San Andres and DMMMSU.

This partnership aims to formally adopt and implement the livelihood technologies developed by DMMMSU, ensuring their integration into the economic development plans of San Andres, Quezon. (By John Mark Lachica)