After years of struggling with low fish sales, Jellica A. Agarao, 29, who lives in the coastal barangay of Sto. Niño in Samar was on the verge of losing hope.
The fish caught by her community are often sold cheaply, creating a cycle of frustration within their vibrant fishing community.
The two-day Integrated Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT) on Bangus Processing and Marketing, conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)—Samar Provincial Office, empowered Jellica and the other 19 members of the Sto. Niño Marginal Fisherfolks Association (STOMAFA).
The training equipped them with essential bangus (milkfish) processing and marketing skills, enabling them to turn their modest harvests into profitable ventures and uplift their community.
This included practical sessions on deboning and marinating bangus and interactive discussions about pricing, costing, marketing strategies, and negotiation skills.
The Negosyo Center Business Counsellors (NCBC) in Sto. Niño, Calbayog, and a representative of Samar State University (SSU) served as resource persons, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The collaborative efforts had not just armed her with skills but had rekindled her belief in herself and her community. She began to see the possibility of turning their small catches into successful businesses.
We are now applying what we learned from the training in processing boneless and marinated bangus. This training helps us improve our products, and the low selling price of bangus can be used as a product to help us earn more,” she confidently said. “Thank you for the training you provided us.”
Jellica felt hopeful as she gained new skills, viewing them as an opportunity for success after overcoming challenges that could attract more customers, enhance the value of their catches, and promote their products effectively.
Their training helped develop their livelihood, improving opportunities and potential outcomes. In fishing, the focus expanded beyond the physical catch to include broader goals and aspirations for future success. (AAC, PIA Samar)
