The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Tuesday signed an agreement to strengthen the blue economy.

The agreement was signed by TESDA Western Visayas Acting Regional Director Esther Babalo and SEAFDEC /AQD chief Dan Baliao following the groundbreaking ceremony for the regional technical and vocational education and training (TVET) innovation center in Iloilo City.

The ceremony was witnessed by TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, and Deputy Director General Galo Glino III.

The partnership seeks to provide world-class real-world experience in the aquaculture and maritime sectors.

Benitez said the partnership will provide them with further capabilities to help disseminate the best aquaculture technology to fisherfolk and marine resource management nationwide.

“It will start in Western Visayas, but I am hoping all fishery schools of TESDA can benefit to ensure that sustainable and best practices for fisheries can maximize 80 percent of the Philippine territory, which is actually underwater,” he said in his message.

Baliao, in an interview, said SEAFDEC has a lot of technologies it can provide to TESDA to ensure sustainable aquaculture from small to corporate farmers.

He hoped that the partnership would be sustained because it was the first time that TESDA had tapped them for the training.

Annually, the SEAFDEC conducts around 26 training events.

Baliao said they can join the training on the culture of giant freshwater prawn, which they already implemented in the Municipality of Pototan.

He emphasized that the training is not confined to the classroom because the field demonstration is also significant. (PNA)