Students like Edward Dawa and Jermel Cabague from the remote island of Doong in Bantayan, Cebu, are about to embark on a life-changing journey. With weekly allowances of only ₱500 to ₱700, their perseverance is the reason of a new initiative—the Seafood Plant Assistant Program—launched by the AFOS Foundation through the FISH Visayas Project, in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and CITE Technical Institute.
On July 10, 2025, CITE hosted the Orientation for Learners, Parents, Guardians, and Partners, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing for the Seafood Plant Assistant Qualification under the Dual Education and Training (DET) Program. The event formally introduced the program to its first 50 scholars under the 1-year Production Technology.
The program directly addresses urgent national concerns in the fisheries sector while expanding employment opportunities, especially for youth in coastal communities.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Jose Ramiro A. Carpio Jr., President and Executive Director of CITE, highlighted the program’s long-term vision.
“Today is more than just the launch of a training program,” he said. “It’s a bridge—linking skills to opportunity, learning to employment, and dreams to reality.”
The event was graced by key stakeholders, including Mr. Jay Yuvallos, President of CCCI; Ms. Joy Lorena Segismar, Executive Director of CCCI; Ms. Yvette P. Labus, Project Manager and Philippine Representative of AFOS FISH Visayas; and Mr. Bryan Araneta, Skills Development Focal Person and CITE alumnus.
Several industry partners expressed their commitment to the initiative, including Central Seafoods Inc., Food Phil Corporation, Siargao’s Bounty Seafoods Corporation, Phil-Union Frozen Foods, Inc., and It’s One Export Import International. These companies pledged to open their facilities for in-company training—an essential component of the DET model—and support trainees’ certification and job readiness through the Assessment, Certification, and Accreditation System (ACAS) unit of CCCI.
The event also celebrated the inspiring journeys of scholars like Edward and Jermel, who now have a clearer path to stable employment and a better future. In attendance were also parents and members of the faculty and the management committee.
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