The City Government of Davao, through the Davao City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO), was recognized for its sustained efforts to make fisheries education more accessible to aspiring scholars across the city during the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 63rd Fish Conservation Week closing ceremony on September 18, 2026.
Davao City received the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) Advocate Award under the Outstanding Local Government Unit category for its collaborative initiatives and commitment to advancing BFAR’s Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP).
Aimee C. Evora, Acting Head of the Fisheries Resource Management and Support Division of CAgrO, told the City Information Office (CIO) that the recognition reflects years of consistent information dissemination campaigns that ensured scholarship opportunities reached students from fisherfolk households and indigenous communities.
“Nakita gyud nato sa pila ka years nato nga effort sa pag disseminate nato ani nga information, kumbaga na reap nato ang atoang mga hinaguan sa pag disseminate nato aning scholarship program. Even kami, na happy mi ug na proud sa mga na endorse nato na mga applicants. Kay kani siya, naghatag gyud ni og opportunity sa ilaha na maka skwela ug maka human. Unya nakatabang pod ta sa atoang fishery sector diria sa city kay ang fisheries na profession, dako siya og role dili lang sa agriculture pati napod sa food security sa nasud (We have seen the results of our efforts over the years in disseminating this information, in a way, we have reaped the rewards of our hard work in promoting this scholarship program. Even we, we are happy and proud of the applicants we have endorsed. Because this really gives them an opportunity to study and finish. And we also helped our fishery sector here in the city because the fisheries profession plays a significant role not only in agriculture but also in the country’s food security),” she said.
The BFAR scholarship program grants full college scholarships to qualified high school graduates pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. The program consists of the Fisheries Industry Leader Grant (FILG) for Senior High School honor graduates, the Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG) for children of registered fisherfolk and the FSP Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (FSP-ICCs/IPs) for qualified ICC/IP students.
Scholars will receive tuition fee coverage, monthly living allowance, book allowance, On-the-Job training support, thesis support and graduation clothing allowance.
She assured interested applicants that assistance is readily available in district offices and their main office, with personnel willing to guide them to ensure a smooth application process.
“Naga tabang man gyud ta og disseminate og information lalo na sa atoang mga district offices. Atong mga City Agri District Officers nato aware man sila ani nga program, so naga tabang gyud sila og disseminate ilabi na didtoa sa atoang mga anak sa atung mga fish farmers. So, ang uban applicant ato, gi agi nila didtoa sa atoang mga district offices, naay mga forms na atoang gina disseminate didtoa niya mu fill up lang sila. Tapos, ihatag nila sa amoa sa main office sa Fisheries Division niya kami na naga submit sa BFAR (We are helping disseminate information, especially at our district offices. Our City Agri District Officers are aware of this program, so they really help disseminate it, especially to the children of our fish farmers. So, some applicants go through our district offices, where we provide them forms for them to fill out. Then, they will give it to us at the main office of the Fisheries Division and we will be the ones to submit it to BFAR),” she added.
Evora emphasized that the approach has yielded results with several scholars graduating with latin honors and are now employed as Fisheries Technologists and Specialists in CAgrO.
For more information on CAgrO programs and activities, Dabawenyos may reach out through the official Facebook page of CAgrO: https://www.facebook.com/cityagridavao or visit their office located on the 4th Floor of the City Hall Annex Building. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: Davao City Agriculturist’s Office