The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga has simultaneously facilitated on Saturday, November 6, 2021, the National Qualifying Examination for the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP).At least 77 hopeful examinees in Caraga region took the examination held at the following testing centers: BFAR Regional Office in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) formerly known as Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) in Lianga, Surigao del Sur; Santiago National High School in Agusan del Norte; Sinobong National High School in Veruela, Agusan del Sur; and Tubajon National High School in the Province of Dinagat Islands.Regional FSP Focal Person and Training Division Chief Anna Melissa M. Talavera, together with the personnel from the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division and the Provincial Fisheries Offices, administered the said examination across the different provinces of the region.Successful examinees will be awarded a four-year BS Fisheries scholarship grant that includes: Php5,000 monthly stipend, Php2,000 semestral book allowance, Php 3,000 OJT support, Php7,000 thesis support, tuition and miscellaneous fees during their study period from the CHED-accredited SUC that they chose to enroll.Caraga region has a total of 26 scholarship slots, of which three (3) slots are allocated for the Fisheries Industry Leaders Grant, three (3) slots for Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous People, and 20 slots for the Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant.FSP is one of the banner programs of DA-BFAR to encourage the youth to pursue BS Fisheries and significantly contribute to the Bureau’s efforts in building a food-secure Philippines, with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.

Photo Credits: BFAR Caraga FSP Team