TESDA: Eat fish, give jobs

26 November 2011

Teach a man to eat fish and you teach him how to be healthy. Teach a man how to fish and you help develop the fishing industry.  Grow the fishing industry and you help provide jobs to many people.
 
Having in mind the many young people who have and still continue to train in various technical vocational courses, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva called on the public to make fish a regular part of their daily diet and  urged  them  to be more creative, boost their entrepreneurial skills, and start their own business.

“Isn’t it ironic that despite our abundant supply of fish, we are still primarily consuming meat?” Villanueva said when he spoke at the 28th foundation anniversary of the Lupon School of Fisheries in Davao.
 
“Educating the public and making fish more accessible and affordable will not only improve public health, but will also increase the demand for fish, contribute to the growth of the industry, and keep workers employed,” he said.

The event, which carried the theme “TESDA: Kaagapay sa Matuwid na Pag-unlad,” gathered together trainers, students, out-of-school-youth, local government officials and workers in the fishing industry to celebrate and renew their commitments to making LSF the lead technical institution for education, research and novel business pursuits for the people in the community.

The Philippines is among the top fish producers all over the world. Through the years, however, the fishing industry has seen a decline in the amount of catch in municipal waters or small scale fishing operations.

“This is where Lupon School of Fisheries finds its relevance. It is not only teaches our fishermen how to fish but also how to sustain the supply of fish and sea creatures,” Villanueva said.
 
The TESDA chief stressed the importance of technical education and skills development in the fishing industry.
 
With the proper training, knowledge and skills, Villanueva said that fisher folks can be “more creative and imaginative in honing their entrepreneurial skills and can try building their own business.”

TESDA vows to continue providing and relevant training, administer the assessment of graduates and issue certification to those who will pass and meet the standards.

“Fishing is more than catching fish.  If it is just about catching fish, then we can just simply give a person a rod, fishing reel, a boat or a net, and that is the end of the story. But what is more important is to also know how to sustain and protect the environment and learn the business side of the industry to make fisher folks more competitive so they can benefit more from the richness of our fish supply,” Villanueva said.