EXCELLENCE IN FISHERY STUDIES. Edeth Novia G. Tubal, a daughter of a fisherman from a fishing village in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, is feted by BFAR-13 for graduating as valedictorian from her Bachelor of Science in Fisheries class in Mindanao State University Naawan, Misamis Oriental. Tubal is among the 20 grantees of the Fisheries Scholarship Program of BFAR who completed their college studies this year. (Photo courtesy of BFAR-13)
BUTUAN CITY – A fisherman's daughter from Lianga, Surigao del Sur has gained recognition from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Caraga Region (BFAR-13) for landing as a class valedictorian.
In a statement Wednesday, BFAR-13 said Edeth Novia G. Tubal who hails from a fishing village in Lianga graduated valedictorian from her Bachelor of Science in Fisheries class in Mindanao State University Naawan, Misamis Oriental.
Tubal is among the 20 Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) grantees of BFAR-13 who graduated on July 18. Tubal and two other scholars will each receive PHP30,000 from the agency in recognition of their excellent academic achievements.
In an interview, Wednesday, Tubal said she opted out of the Chemical Engineering program of the Mindanao State University after she passed the exams for the FSP.
“I realized that my parents will probably have a hard time financing me if I took the engineering course, especially since my father was sick at that time,” she recalled.
She said the scholarship grant from BFAR was a big help in her studies and to her parents as they need not spend money on her schooling.
“All my life, being born in a poor family, I didn’t get to have a lot of choices,” Tubal said, adding that she is now contented and happy with her academic achievements.
She also hopes the fishery sector in the Caraga Region and the rest of the country will soon achieve full sustainability.
“Since we are endowed with marine resources, I am hoping that these resources will be utilized properly and sustainably so that there will still be resources left for the next generations to come,” Tubal said.
BFAR-13 said that Tubal was already hired to teach on Monday (Aug. 8) at the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) Lianga, Surigao del Sur Campus, which specializes in research in coastal resource management.
The NEMSU is formerly known as the Surigao del Sur State University with its main campus in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
“I am really looking forward to becoming part of the academe. I want to become an educator in the hopes of sharing my knowledge and vision for the fisheries sector, which is one of the most important sectors in the country,” Tubal said.
Two other FSP grantees from the region were also recognized by BFAR-13: Necanor P. Bigasas, a class valedictorian, and Sheen Chic Zenith T. Perral, class salutatorian who both graduated from the Visayas State University-Tolosa Campus, Leyte.
Bigasas is from the town of Bayabas in Surigao del Sur while Perral is a native of Malimono in Surigao del Norte.
BFAR-13 said that Tubal, Bisagas, and Perral will receive PHP30,000 each from the agency in recognition of their excellent academic achievements.
“As of to date, the BFAR-13, through the FSP program has produced 87 fisheries professionals in the Caraga region,” the agency said.
It added that 58 Bachelor of Science in Fisheries students under the FSP are still studying in different educational institutions in the country.
Twenty-five new FSP scholars are also set to start their studies for the school year 2022-2023, the BFAR-13 said. (PNA)
