Out of the Office and a day in the Field

"Love Affair with Isugod"

June 1, 2007, As part of the "Kamustahan Program" initiated by OIC Executive Director Romeo B. Dorado , the whole Staff and Management went to Baranggay Isugod, Quezon. The purpose of the outing is for the Staff to see and have a feel of what our colleagues are doing and have accomplished in the field , in this case DMO (District Management Office ) South; the District that covers the Municipality of Quezon. It was here that the Staff were able to take a look at the "Isugod Mangrove Reforestation Project" a joint Project of the Development Bank of the Philippines, The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and the Isugod Fishermen Organization of Baranggay Isugod.

A short program was held wherein the collective efforts of the Baranggay , Non Government Organizations and Local Government Units were lauded.Messages coming from the Baranggay Captain of Isugod, Fishermen Folk leader of Isugod, Bureau of Fisheries Head of Quezon, the Local Government Unit of Quezon and from the OIC Executive Director Romeo B. Dorado were delivered. Materials and equipments needed for Seaweed Farming and Sea Cucumber Culture Farming Projects were also turned over.

After a brief and sumptous lunch, a short ceremony (Sea Cucumber and Seaweed Planting ) was launched and inaugurated by PCSD OIC Executive Director Dorado, Directors Tabugon and Matulac; Head of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Quezon ; Representative from the Local Government Unit of Quezon and Fisherfolk Leader of the Baranggay Isugod. Followed by that is visit of the participants to the reforested Mangrove site. Everybody went down from their motorized bancas and joined in the planting of Mangrove, it was here that the Staff went waist deep in the sea and began planting Mangrove propagules. It was a fun part for the staff as others experienced being stucked in the mud, having difficulty in moving their feet out of the mud. It was frentic at first , but soon the Staff got the feel of planting Mangroves, for most of the participants - it was their first time to experience planting Mangrove.

The said event was an eye opener for the Staff who have participated. It gave them an insight on the activity of their colleagues in the field. It gave them the opportunity to talk and get the insigths of the Stakeholders as well. It was also a time for the Staff to bond and unwind, and temporarily forget the pressures and deadlines of office work. For this we are grateful to our OIC Executive Director Romeo B. Dorado.