SLSU Bontoc secures 1M grant from DA-RFO8
Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus has been awarded a ₱1 million grant for its project, “Improvement of Earthen Ponds and Support to Operation for SLSU Bontoc Campus Tilapia Grow-out and Recreational Fishing Project.”
The grant was officially handed over on January 14, 2025, at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Office 8 in Tacloban City. Representing the campus, Ms. Basilides Geraldo, the campus cashier, received the cheque from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-RFO8, which facilitated the funding under the Young Farmers Challenge Program.
This initiative aims to rehabilitate three 2,000sqm. grow-out ponds, which are expected to yield 957 kilograms of marketable tilapia (250-300 grams each). Additionally, the project seeks to restore and operate the recreational fishing villa, which will serve as a demonstration farm for community-based learning and support curricular programs in agriculture and fisheries.
The implementation of this project is expected to bring significant benefits to SLSU Bontoc Campus and the broader community. It will serve as an income-generating initiative to boost campus revenue while providing support to beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture's Young Farmers Challenge (DA-YFC).
Campus Director Gladys L. Pascual emphasized the importance of this project, noting that SLSU Bontoc Campus, as a growing campus in the SLSU system, faces financial challenges and hence, the received financial assistance from the government is anticipated to deliver several benefits.
“To continue delivering quality services to our clientele, it is necessary to strengthen our income-generating projects (IGPs) to support campus operations. Through this project, we can also collaborate with other public and private organizations to enhance community resilience by implementing various extension programs, projects, and activities (PPAs),” she added.
The project is set to run for 12 months, aiming to ensure a steady production of affordable tilapia to benefit the local community in Southern Leyte.
This initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG1 No poverty, SDG2 Zero Hunger, SDG8 Decent Work, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production and SDG14 Protection of Life Below Water.
(Photo courtesy to Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas.)
