The College of Fisheries (CF) organized a capacity-building activity in collaboration with the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) Project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region III as part of the project on Ecological Assessment of Eco-tourism Sites of Nueva Ecija held at the Municipal Agriculture Office of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija to develop and strengthen the skills and capabilities of the fisherfolks on water quality analysis for tilapia farming last April 17, 2022.
During the event, Dr. Alvin T. Reyes presented the results of the water quality analysis conducted last May 26, 2022, at Sapang Abot Eco-tourism Park located within the Municipality which showed that the majority of the analyzed water parameters of the river were within the desirable ranges set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau.
Meanwhile, Ms. Maria Cecilia G. Pascual, staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), led the identification of possible solutions to resolve the high concentration of phosphorus and count of coliform in the river.
The capacity building activity also included the hands-on demonstration of the use of various water quality equipment such as the multi-parameter, DO meter, pH meter, turbidity meter, handheld GPS and Secchi disc. This demonstration was spearheaded by Mr. Jhon Christian P. Suyom and Mr. Ismael P. Geroza, CF faculty and staff.
Other lecturers were also tapped to tackle topics on the status of lakes and rivers in the Philippines, and Fishery Law Enforcement. The activity was attended by the MAO, BFAR, and CLSU staff members, and the fisherfolk beneficiaries of Sta. Rosa.
Dr. Alvin T. Reyes and Dr. Lorenz J. Fajardo serve as the Project Leaders of Ecological Assessment of Eco-tourism Sites of Nueva Ecija, under the supervision of Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs.
