DBPH Admin2 
TOWARDS inclusive socio-economic recovery after the 2020 Taal volcano eruption, members of the LGBTIQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexuality, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual/aromantic (ace and aro), and all other sexual orientations, gender identities and physiological sex characteristics) community called “Sinag ng Kulay” in the Municipality of Talisay, Batangas were trained on fish processing as a prelude to the establishment of their community enterprise under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-CALABARZON’s Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program, Jan. 26.
The training covered processing technologies on the production of bottled tawilis and bangus sardines and smoked fish. Techniques used in fish processing, such as cleaning and de-scaling, removal of guts and gills, cutting, washing, sorting, and cooking were given emphasis by means of demonstration.
Valuable inputs on basic food hygiene and on standardizing processes to achieve safe and consistent product outputs were likewise discussed.
After the training, the Sinag ng Kulay is set to kick off their community enterprise on fish processing. Equipment and other necessary materials needed for the operations will be provided by DOST CALABARZON under the CEST Livelihood program.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Talisay, Batangas, on the other hand, will provide the production facility as their counterpart.
SUPPORT
Sinag ng Kulay’s President, Reynaldo Renzy Onera, expressed his gratitude to DOST and LGU-Talisay for this opportunity to establish their community’s enterprise.
“Isang magandang simula po ito para sa aming asosasyon upang magkaroon ang bawat isa sa amin ng oportunidad na kumita. Lubos po talaga ang aming pasasalamat,” he added.
Technical expert, Ms. Marilou Mosqueda (Aquaculturist II of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-CALABARZON), facilitated the technology training.
DOST-Batangas staff, Mr. Jovell Castillo and Ms. Angelica De Sagun, assisted Ms. Mosqueda in conducting the activity. Also present during the activity were the Municipal Administrator of LGU-Talisay, Mr. Alano Lamano and Municipal Agiculturist, Ms. Zenaida Macatangay. LGU-Talisay is one of the identified sites for the implementation of CEST project entitled “Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) for Disaster-Stricken Areas in Batangas Province”.
Interventions already provided to the LGU were bottom-set gillnets to 60 fisherfolk, training on layered maps generation using Geographical Information System mapping, enhanced nutribun feeding program in partnership with CDO Foodsphere Inc. and Odyssey Foundation, Inc., and water testing.
