Fifty (50) UPV employees signified interest and were trained on food processing focused on fish deboning last November 11, 2024 at the Fish Processing Laboratory, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS). This was organized by the Committee on Personnel Development and General Welfare, under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension and in partnership with the Institute of Fish Processing Technology (IFPT), CFOS. 

Acting Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, Dr. Iris Ann G. Borlongan welcomed the participants and discussed how the committee was formed. RRC Director, Dr. Mary Grace Sedanza and chairperson of the committee, elaborated on the importance of these training programs for the holistic development of UPV employees. 

Dr. Rhoda Mae C. Simora, IFPT Director and Ms. Rose T. Mueda, IFPT Public Service Coordinator, recognized the efforts of the committee for organizing the training and partnering with IFPT, which amplified undertakings in extending their services and products to the UPV community. Ms. Rosanna G. Alama served as the resource person for the said training and she was assisted by IFPT personnel namely, Ms. Mary Ann Serrano, Ms. Mercy Quilantang and Mr. Raymund Parcon.

Prior to the milkfish deboning proper, Ms. Alama gave an overview on the crucial step in processing–the tips on how to determine the freshness of the milkfish. It was important because the state of the raw materials define the quality of the finished products. After a short lecture, she proceeded to demonstrate the proper process of deboning. The participants were given two hours to execute the deboning training thereafter.  

This training was attended by various participants coming from different offices of the university. In the closing event, they were invited to express their feedback on the experience.  Dr. Sheila A. Javier, Deputy Director of the Office of the Student Affairs, expressed her gratitude to the committee for giving them the opportunity to learn a new life skill. Mr. Vicente Nic from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development said that it was beneficial for them to learn this skill since it can be applied in their own household or even start a small business out of it. Ms. Jirah Mamigo, URA 1 of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB), said that the training served as a refresher course for her since she already had it during her undergraduate studies, but experiencing this again with their co-employees provided them a new experience. 

The training is part of “Empowering UPV Employees through Gender-responsive Skills Training and Interventions”, a series of activities which aims to equip UPV employees with work-related and non-work-related skills. This will be followed by a Communication Skills Training on December 9 and 13, 2024. 

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Written by: Reyna Fe N. Quilantang & Mary Li R. Nulada, OVCRE