AFOS Foundation - Philippines

𝗞𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗿 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁

𝗧𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗕𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 – On August 13, 2025, the Kapunongan sa Gagmayng Mananagat sa Saguise (KAGAMASA) officially forged a partnership with Coclea Bar and Restaurant through a consignment agreement that will bring Pitogo Island Snacks closer to the public.

Under the agreement, Coclea Bar and Restaurant will serve as a consignment outlet for the display and sale of these community-made products, providing a new avenue for visibility among local patrons and tourists. The signing marks a significant milestone in strengthening market access and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the producers of Pitogo Island Snacks.

The consignment arrangement outlines clear responsibilities, pricing, and terms that ensure equitable benefit-sharing between the partners. This partnership aims to increase the recognition of Pitogo Island Snacks within Bohol’s growing food and tourism scene while expanding income-generating opportunities for the community producers.

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This initiative, supported through the FISH Visayas Project implemented by AFOS Foundation in partnership with the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DA-BFAR VII, DOST VII, and DTI VII, aims to strengthen the market readiness and business linkages of MSMEs and fisherfolk associations in Central Visayas.

Stay updated on the latest from the FISH Visayas Project: https://fishvisayas.afosfoundation.org/news/

Learn more about AFOS Foundation, the lead implementing organization: https://afos-stiftung.de

𝗣𝗔𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 – The FISH Visayas Project Advisory Committee (PAC) convened for its fifth and final assembly on August 7, 2025, at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VII Office in Cebu City. The session marked a major milestone in the project’s three-year implementation, serving as both a comprehensive review of accomplishments from July 2022 to 2025 (phase 2) and a platform to validate the Procedures Manual for the FISH Visayas Project Good Quality Certification - the Blue Check Level 1: Food Safety and Quality Certification Program.

The PAC, composed of key representatives from government agencies, the private sector, and project partners, continues to serve as the policy and strategic direction-setting body of the FISH Visayas Project. It ensures that all interventions remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the project’s focus areas across Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
During the meeting, members reviewed, validated, and provided feedback on the Blue Check Certification Manual, which will serve as the foundation for piloting the program among selected micro and small enterprises in the region.

The committee agreed to hold a follow-up meeting to finalize details of the manual, particularly on:
1. The leveling of the Blue Check mark.
2. The creation of a Level 2 certification that will focus on market readiness and competitiveness; and
3. The establishment of a Blue Economic Council to sustain implementation and policy support.

PAC members were also apprised of the project’s achievements, results, and milestones across all components and areas. Their insights and recommendations will guide the completion of final project activities and the development of the Project Accomplishment Report.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The fifth PAC meeting gathered 16 participants, including six official committee members and representatives from the AFOS Foundation, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BFAR Central Visayas, Department of Science and Technology VII and the DTI Region 7 Central Visayas

Key members in attendance included:
Mr. Mario Ruinata, Regional Director, DA-BFAR Region VII
Dr. Tristan Abando, Regional Director, DOST Region VII
Ms. Esperanza “Hope” Melgar, Regional Director, DTI Region VII
Atty. Gilbert Arbon, OIC–Assistant Regional Director, DOST Negros Island Region
Ms. Joy Lorena Segismar, Executive Director, CCCI
Ms. Yvette Hope P. Labus, Project Manager and Philippine Resident Representative, AFOS Foundation

𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
As a result of the discussions, the FISH Visayas Project team identified priority activities to be completed by September 2025, including finalizing the Procedures Manual for the Blue Check Level 1: Food Safety and Quality Certification Program and consolidating means of verification for the project accomplishment report.

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The 5th and final PAC Meeting underscores the project’s commitment to institutionalize its gains and ensure the sustainability of its initiatives—strengthening the fisheries value chain, improving food safety standards, and supporting the continued growth of small-scale fisheries enterprises in Central Visayas.

Stay updated on the latest from the FISH Visayas Project: https://fishvisayas.afosfoundation.org/news/

Learn more about AFOS Foundation, the lead implementing organization: https://afos-stiftung.de

𝗕𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗥𝗲-𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗣. 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮, 𝗕𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 — On June 15 and 18, 2025, seventy-one (71) fisherfolk from Brgy. Aguining and Saguise successfully completed the Re-echo Training on Basic Food Safety initiated through the FISH Visayas Project.

The training aimed to strengthen the food safety knowledge and practices of members of the Aguininghong Pundok sa Yanong Mananagat (APYM) and Kahugpungan sa Gagmay’ng Mananagat sa Saguise (KAGAMASA) — two newly established community-based food processors in Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (PCPG).

Both organizations are now venturing into value-added production. APYM has diversified its bangus aquaculture operations by producing bottled bangus, while KAGAMASA continues to develop its Pitogo Island Snacks line, featuring Seaweed Salvaro, Seaweed Chips, Fish Chips, and Bulad Polvoron. Notably, Pitogo Island Snacks products have undergone microbiological testing through the Department of Science and Technology VII and were endorsed for the Blue Check Level 1, an internal food safety and quality certification system initiated by the FISH Visayas Project.

In line with the people organization’s goal of attaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification, the re-echo training introduced participants to the fundamentals of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). The sessions were facilitated by food safety advocates from the two organizations, who had earlier completed the Food Safety training through the Bohol Food Safety Team.

Through practical sessions and knowledge sharing, participants gained a deeper understanding of hygiene standards, product handling, and safe food preparation. These are vital components in ensuring the quality and market readiness of their products.

This initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of FISH Visayas Project partners—AFOS Foundation, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Local Government Unit of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol.

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The Re-echo Training on Basic Food Safety contributes to Result Area 1 (Training for Fisherfolk and MSMEs) and Result Area 3 (Market Access) of the FISH Visayas Project.

Stay updated on the latest from the FISH Visayas Project: https://fishvisayas.afosfoundation.org/news/

Learn more about AFOS Foundation, the lead implementing organization: https://afos-stiftung.de