By Kenneth Marcos 
Inside a quiet conference hall in Tagaytay City, fisheries experts, researchers, and government workers gathered with a shared goal: to strengthen how knowledge and technology reach Filipino fisherfolk. For many coastal communities that depend on the sea for food and livelihood, better access to information can make a real difference in daily life.
To support this goal, the Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), through its Training Division, conducted a five-day Training, Communication, and Knowledge Management Planning Workshop from March 9 to 13, 2026 at the Development Academy of the Philippines Conference Center in Tagaytay City.
The workshop brought together key personnel of the institute to review existing programs and design stronger strategies for sharing fisheries research, technologies, and training materials with stakeholders across the country.
During the opening program, Training Division Chief Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos emphasized the importance of the planning activity. According to him, the workshop provides an opportunity for different divisions within the institute to collaborate and align their efforts in transferring knowledge to those who need it most.
He said effective communication and knowledge sharing are essential for ensuring that fisheries technologies developed by researchers are successfully adopted by fisherfolk, local governments, and industry partners.
The DA-NFRDI is the research arm of the Department of Agriculture responsible for generating scientific studies, innovations, and technologies that support the country’s fisheries sector. Its work includes research on sustainable fishing practices, aquaculture development, marine resource management, and climate-resilient technologies for coastal communities.
Through training and information programs, the institute helps ensure that scientific findings do not remain only in laboratories or reports but are shared with the people who can apply them in real-world situations.
Dr. Santos also reiterated the guidance of NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, who stressed that all training, communication, and knowledge management activities must be aligned with the institute’s strategic priorities.
This alignment, he said, ensures that programs across various divisions work together toward a common goal: improving fisheries productivity while protecting marine resources.
The planning workshop also focused on strengthening monitoring systems to measure the impact of training programs and information campaigns. By evaluating results, the institute can identify which initiatives are effective and which areas need improvement.
Participants also discussed ways to make fisheries knowledge more accessible to communities. This includes developing better training materials, strengthening partnerships with local government units, and expanding communication platforms to reach fisherfolk and stakeholders in different regions.
The Philippines is one of the world’s major fishing nations, with millions of Filipinos relying on fisheries and aquaculture for livelihood and food. According to government data, the sector contributes significantly to national food security and rural employment, particularly in coastal provinces.
However, the industry also faces challenges such as overfishing, climate change, habitat degradation, and limited access to modern technologies. Strengthening research, training, and knowledge-sharing systems is considered a key step in helping the sector remain productive and sustainable.
By bringing together researchers, trainers, and communication specialists, the workshop aimed to build stronger systems that connect science with communities.
As the planning session concluded, participants expressed their commitment to work together in ensuring that valuable fisheries knowledge reaches the fishermen, aquaculture farmers, and local officials who need it most.
For many communities along the country’s long coastline, better access to knowledge can lead to stronger livelihoods, healthier marine resources, and a more secure food future for Filipino families.
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