The Inclusive Science for Livelihood in Agri-Aqua (ISLA) program is moving forward after a successful semi-annual review last February 5, 2026. The multi-agency initiative aims to provide the small island communities of the Great Santa Cruz Island with science and technology support and to boost their local economy.
The ISLA program brought agencies and state universities and colleges (SUCs) together in successfully implementing the projects on natural resources management, health improvement, milkfish HDPE fish cage production, agriculture and food technology, technology integration through knowledge sharing, and the Santa Cruz artificial reefs project. Through these initiatives, livelihoods and the environment in small islands are improved and protected.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) led the project review to assess the progress of the program implementation. The review included a site visit, inspection of procured materials, and an exploratory meeting.
Before the review, a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and exploratory meeting was conducted to foresee the current accomplishments of the aforementioned projects.
The review was conducted together with delegates from the Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (WESMAARRDEC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region IX, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), and Cavite State University (CvSU).
The ISLA program includes five projects:
- Project 1. Community-Based Natural Resources Management and Health Improvement, under the leadership Dr. Reynante E. Autida of WMSU
- Project 2. Establishment of Milkfish HDPE Fish Cage Livelihood Project, under the leadership of Dr. Rhemar C. Bayato of BFAR Region IX
- Project 3. Agriculture and Food Technology Production, under the leadership of Assistant Professor Ma. Lyn C. Torres of WMSU
- Project 4. Technology Integration through Knowledge Sharing in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (TIKIMTA), under the leadership of Dr. Maila V. Pan of ZSCMT
- SanTa Cruz Artificial Reefs (STAR), under the leadership of Associate Professor Raymond Antonio M. Lim of ZSCMT
ISLA is implemented in close collaboration with the Zamboanga City Tourism Office, Sta. Cruz People’s Organization, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), DENR Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), and DOST Region IX.
Engr. Gee Jay C. Bartolome of CvSU also presented the possibility of implementing a new project, the “Accelerating Growth in Small Island Niches (ASIN) by the Adoption of Salt Production Technologies” or ASIN Project, which aims to foster growth in the Great Sta. Cruz Island by transferring, adapting, and piloting a viable, climate-resilient salt production business model in addressing local livelihood needs and contributing to national salt self-sufficiency.
Moving forward, the project remains committed to supporting the island communities in the Great Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga.