Iloilo city: The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have formalized a partnership to fortify the blue economy. This agreement was officiated by TESDA Western Visayas Acting Regional Director Esther Babalo and SEAFDEC/AQD chief Dan Baliao, coinciding with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new regional technical and vocational education and training (TVET) innovation center in Iloilo City. The event was attended by TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco 'Kiko' Benitez, and Deputy Director General Galo Glino III.

According to Philippines News Agency, this collaboration aims to provide advanced practical experience in the aquaculture and maritime fields. Secretary Benitez expressed that the initiative will enhance their ability to spread state-of-the-art aquaculture technology to fisherfolk and improve marine resource management across the nation. He highlighted that while the initiative will begin in Western Visayas, the goal is for all TESDA fishery schools to benefit, ensuring that sustainable and optimal fisheries practices can be applied to maximize the 80 percent of the Philippine territory that is underwater.

SEAFDEC/AQD chief Dan Baliao, in an interview, shared that SEAFDEC possesses numerous technologies that can be shared with TESDA to promote sustainable aquaculture for both small-scale and corporate farmers. Baliao expressed optimism that the partnership will endure, noting that it is the first such collaboration with TESDA for training purposes. SEAFDEC conducts approximately 26 training events annually, and Baliao mentioned that participants could engage in training for the culture of giant freshwater prawn, a program already implemented in the Municipality of Pototan. He emphasized the importance of field demonstrations as an integral part of the training, beyond traditional classroom learning.