AQD joins BSP’s financial literacy campaign for OFWs

What other ventures are available for investments from OFWs?

Dr. Clarissa Marte, head of AQD's Technology Verification and Demonstration Division, and other concerned agencies presented what they have to offer under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Financial Literacy Campaign (FLC) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their beneficiaries last January 22-23 in the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan.

The activity aims to promote savings and investments among OFWs and their beneficiaries by informing them of alternative opportunities of remittances, such as savings, investments in financial instruments, and other small and micro-business ventures.

Dr. Marte presented aquaculture-based business opportunities, wherein she highlighted AQD's ABOT AquaNegosyo packages.

The conduct of FLCs in places where most marginalized OFWs come from was strongly encouraged by Pres. Gloria Arroyo.

Among the provinces identified were those in the Visayas region, particularly Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan.

Regional workshop on aquatic animal health

The OIE/NACA Regional Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health will be organised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), at Maruay Garden Hotel and Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand from 25 to 28 March 2008.

The objectives of the workshop are:

1. to recognise the importance of negative impacts of aquatic animal diseases, the need for their control and prevention, and the responsibilities of government authorities in this context;
2. to provide updated information on emerging aquatic animal diseases in the region;
3. to train national focal points on the OIE aquatic animal health standards (Aquatic Animal Health Code and Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals) and on the OIE World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) (using computers) for the purpose of (1) above; and
4. to strengthen regional collaboration on aquatic animal disease control and prevention

The invited participants are national focal points for aquatic animal health in the countries which have participated in the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease (QAAD) reporting in the Asia-Pacific region, which has been implemented as a joint activity between NACA, FAO and OIE Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific since 1998.

AQD has played a significant role in developing and supporting several aquatic animal health programmes in the region. OIE and NACA recognises the continued support of SEAFDEC to regional aquatic animal health programmes and its long-term involvement in regional aquatic animal health activities. Because of this, they have invited a representative from AQD to present on Outcomes of the aquatic animal disease surveillance projects.

AQD signs new pact with DAR

The new year brings with it new collaborators to AQD.

Last January 22, AQD signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), as represented by Regional Director Alexis Arsenal, at AQD's main station in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

The MOU will cover the development of different Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) in the province of Iloilo. DAR will assist in preparing the plan for the identified area; provide data relative to program implementation, beneficiaries and area; and provide other financial, technical, social and physical infrastructure services. AQD on the other hand will assist DAR in providing technical assistance to agrarian reform beneficiaries; develop programs and enterprise development capabilities; and provide resource persons, trainers, technical specialists and extension workers during project development and implementation.

The MOU will be in effect for 5 years, and will be supplemented by Letters of Understanding, which will document specific terms and conditions on the agreed projects.