our cooperative associations that are eligible to receive enterprise grant support undergo a consultative discussion to essentially finalize their respective business plans for funding, skills development, and post-harvest training activities. The said eligible beneficiaries were from the Ba-ug Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) of San Juan, Tubo-CLC-ARB Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Supo, the Sumyaan Di Maeng Tribu Kayngaan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SUMAKAY MPC) of Tubo, and the Abra Vegetable and Seafoods Cooperative (AVSECO) of San Quintin. Each cooperative submitted an expression of interest during the conducted roadshow caravan, where they were likewise validated for eligibility requirements.
Through the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) project, the Fisheries Management Area Coordinating Unit – Cordillera Administrative Region (FCU-CAR), these cooperatives were granted initial approval from the environmental and social standard screening process conducted to be potential enterprise grantees under the component Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment, specifically 2.2 or the Aquaculture & Fisheries Enterprise Development.
As they proceed and comply with the other documentary requirements, such as the Business plan and Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design, the FCU-CAR went on the ground to assist beneficiaries in finalizing their documents, and guide them on how they are going to come up with a holistic proposal.
Ms. Riza P. Fidchao, Provincial Fishery Officer of Abra, encouraged the cooperatives to extend their full support and cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the project. She emphasized the importance of active participation and sustained commitment throughout the training and preparation process.
In Tubo, Abra, the three cooperatives were guided with their proposed projects on Seafood and Fishery Products Trading with Cold Chain Support. Marjie G. Basa, MARLIN 2.2 lead focal, explained that this activity is among the BFAR-led capacity building initiatives intended to equip beneficiaries with knowledge related to their proposed project. With this, a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted to determine the alignment of the proposed project with community needs and to assess the cooperatives’ capacity to manage and sustain the initiative. Through participatory tools such as community mapping, seasonal calendars, trend analysis, and problem tree discussions, participants shared valuable insights on current fisheries practices, available resources, prevailing challenges, and potential opportunities.
In particular, a trend analysis of estimated fish catches from 2021 to 2025 was facilitated, which revealed a decline in production. Participants attributed this decrease primarily to seasonal fish availability and increased fishing pressure from nearby areas. Despite these challenges, participants recognized that the proposed Fish Trading Project could provide additional livelihood opportunities and improve access to fishery products, thereby contributing to local economic development and food security. Apart from the PRA, a lecture on proper fish handling and cold chain management was conducted to emphasize key practical postharvest management, such as the importance of immediate icing, strict temperature control, and hygienic handling practices to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure food safety.
Subsequently, a consultation and writeshop were undertaken to finalize the business plans of the three cooperative beneficiaries. The session included discussions on cooperative equity, target markets, projected purchase volumes, and pricing strategies. The cooperatives were also advised to review and refine their business plans, particularly the financial projections and engineering design of the proposed processing facility, as these components are essential in determining the projected return on investment (ROI).
Meanwhile, a similar consultative session was held in San Quintin, Abra, where members of AVSECO, for their proposed project, “Fish Processing Center and Cold Chain Support Facility,” were guided to review, refine, and complete their business plans, with particular emphasis on financial planning and the engineering design of the proposed processing facility to accurately determine projected returns. There was a lecture on fish processing techniques and preservation methods, with emphasis on smoking as a preservation process. The session discussed the principles of smoking, including moisture reduction, flavor enhancement, and microbial control. Various preparation techniques such as brining, steaming, and marinating were also explained, along with the importance of standardized procedures to ensure consistent product quality.
Furthermore, participants were likewise allowed to personally perform the deboning process under guided supervision while applying proper sanitation and safe handling practices after a hands-on demonstration of milkfish deboning and smoking was conducted. They also did bangus marinating and smoking, which enhanced their competency in executing critical processing steps and improved their readiness for value-added milkfish production.
Mr. Cesar Saoadan, Fisheries Coordinator of Tubo, likewise expressed his gratitude to all partner agencies and participants for their strong collaboration and engagement. Representatives from each cooperative shared their appreciation and highlighted key insights gained, while Mr. Daniel Daagdag underscored the need to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to help guarantee the project’s long-term success. Meanwhile, AVSECO Manager Mr. Edmon Vasquez expressed his appreciation to all partner agencies, facilitators, and participants for their active engagement during the activity. He likewise emphasized the importance of applying the knowledge and skills gained to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the proposed Milkfish Processing Project.//
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