TACLOBAN CITY — A proposed measure seeking to elevate a long-standing fisheries school in Eastern Samar into a full-fledged polytechnic institute has moved closer to approval after gaining the endorsement of a House panel.
The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved for plenary deliberation House Bill No. 6785, which aims to convert the Matarinao School of Fisheries (MASOF) into the Eastern Samar Polytechnic Institute of Fisheries and Technology (ESPIFT).
The bill was authored by Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, in partnership with 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, both of whom pushed for the expansion of higher education opportunities in the province.
Gonzales welcomed the committee’s approval, describing it as a major step toward enhancing fisheries education and maximizing the province’s rich marine resources.
“The establishment of ESPIFT will empower our people with advanced skills and modern knowledge in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine sciences. This is a crucial step toward creating sustainable livelihoods and uplifting coastal and rural communities in Eastern Samar,” he said.
Founded in 1967, MASOF has served as a key training institution for technical skills in fisheries. It is located in Barangay Matarinao in the municipality of Salcedo, Eastern Samar.
Under the proposed measure, the school will be upgraded into a polytechnic institute that can offer a broader range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as technical and short-term courses in fisheries, aquaculture, marine sciences, engineering, and technology.
The envisioned ESPIFT will also function as a center for research and innovation in sustainable fisheries and marine development, while strengthening partnerships with industry stakeholders.
Gonzales emphasized that the initiative seeks to align education with the economic needs of coastal communities that rely heavily on marine resources.
“By investing in education that is directly tied to our natural strengths, we are opening more opportunities for our people and ensuring long-term, inclusive growth,” he added.
The bill also mandates coordination among key government agencies such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to ensure effective implementation.
Gonzales expressed optimism that the measure will be approved at the plenary level, citing its potential to expand access to quality education and drive sustainable development in Eastern Samar.
The lawmaker has been actively pushing for improved access to state-supported higher education, including proposals to establish a College of Maritime Studies at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Guiuan, and to upgrade ESSU extension campuses in Balangiga and Arteche.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
