About Us
Center for Post-harvest Fisheries Research and Development
The research center is called the Center for Post-harvest Fisheries Research and Development (CPHFRD) located at Daanbantayan Cebu, an area known for its rich fishing ground. Recognizing the importance of post-harvest technology to the country’s sustainable development, the center was established in consortium with the fisheries schools of Cebu Technological University to conduct initiatives to produce benefits to poor fish producers, processors, traders, and consumers through the application of new knowledge for improved utilization of fish from the fisheries sector in Central Visayas. In addition, the center operates as a clearinghouse that links academic resources with community and regional needs in the fields of post-harvest fisheries.
VISION
To be a leading research, development and extension center in post-harvest fisheries in Central Visayas.
MISSION
To engage in multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary research endeavors in the field of post-harvest fisheries, which could impact the university, researchers, scientists, community and other relevant stakeholders.
GOALS
To establish a center that is equipped with the latest technology for the conduct of research in Post-Harvest Fisheries Studies, which leads to increased scientific publication, strengthened students and faculty expertise, acceptance of multiple grants, more empowered community in the utilization of post-harvest fisheries technology and enhanced image of CTU as a leading research institution.
OBJECTIVES
To establish a research center that will mainly focus on post-harvest fisheries research, development and extension.
To develop new methods to evaluate the extent and reasons of post-harvest losses in fisheries and encourage their application to key institutions within the target area.
To acquire knowledge of the impact on the poor and marginalized about the changes in the processing of fish and disseminate this knowledge to key policymakers and stakeholders within the target area.
To develop and encourage applicable value-adding and loss reduction strategies and technologies appropriate to the major poor and marginalized stakeholders within the target area.
To provide research trainings and capability building to post-harvest faculty as well as students
To provide an avenue for the enrichment, discussion and review of the post-harvest fisheries curriculum
To publish research outputs in accredited journals.
GENERAL/KEY FUNCTIONS
Produce relevant new knowledge that will improve handling and utilization of fish for the benefit of producers, processors, traders and consumers;
Communicate relevant new knowledge to stakeholders.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations adopted the global Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) in 1995. While the framework covers almost all aspects of fisheries, it is having limited concern on the post-harvest fisheries sector. States should give due consideration to the economic and social role of the post-harvest fisheries sector when formulating national policies for the sustainable development and utilization of fishery resources.
Traditional processing of fish is still widely practiced in the Philippines, given that most of the processors are small-scale with small capital and receiving no assistance from the government and other funding institutions. Handling and processing methods vary considerably from this sector resulting in inconsistent quality of finished products. For traditionally produced fish products, food safety is still a question. Lack of infrastructure support, both for storage and processing, for this industry has led and contributed much to losses in fisheries.
Problems with product quality are also affecting the fish processing industry. There are few local processing plants in the region that make use of modern technology and have maintained quality export standards. These fish processing plants have advanced equipment and machineries and have strict observance to hygiene and sanitation standards in the manufacture of fish products unlike traditional processing where quality of products rest on the hands of the processor himself. Fish processing plants, in general, have problems in the quality of raw materials which will eventually result in inconsistent product quality.
Recognizing the importance of post-harvest fisheries technology to the attainment of food security and economic stability for an archipelagic country, the creation of the CENTER FOR POST HARVEST FISHERIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CPHFRD) was proposed in consortium with the fisheries schools of Cebu Technological University (CTU) from Carmen, Daanbantayan, Moalboal, and Camotes Island, Cebu. CTU Daanbantayan campus is the host of the CPHFRD as it is strategically located in the heart of the rich fishing ground of the Visayan Sea. The CPHFRD will anchor on the strategy to produce benefits for poor fish producers, processors, traders and consumers through the application of new knowledge for a more improved handling and utilization of fish from the Visayan Sea area. CPHFRD strongly believes that the future of the Philippine fisheries will depend on every Filipino’s perception and valuation of post-harvest fisheries and the fisheries resources respectively.
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Naomi E. Silguera
- 437-8526 loc. 129
- naomi.silguera@ctu.edu.ph