Two years ago, the global pandemic almost crippled everyone and left majority of people unemployed and economic activities were put to a halt.  But one remarkable woman did not succumbed to this ill-fated epoch.

Analiza Acosta, 38, married is one of the active fish processors of the municipality of Aglipay who saw fish processing as a way to divert the health turmoil into a feasible economic opportunity. Armed with a positive mind and will-full spirit, Analiza started a small business in her community. She is one of the members of the Rural Improvement Club of San Leonardo, which is a recipient of the technology-demonstration cum livelihood project.

“Idi pandemic nga nangrugi amin daytuy nga gagar ku nga agprocess iti lames nangruna iti bangus. Gapu ta awan pagsapulan gapu iti COVID restrictions, napanunut ku iti agaramid kas iti kadagiti ar-aramidek itattan nga bangus sisig, boneless bangus, bangus siomai ken dadduma pay. Dakkel ti naitulong iti training kanyak ta isu iti nagbalin nga motibasyon ko nga mangpadas dagitoy nga teknolohiya uray makuna nga adda kami ditoy kabanbantayan” (It all begun during the pandemic when it deterred us from earning for a living due to COVID restrictions. I thought of the possibility of turning my knowledge and skills on fish processing technology I acquired during one of the trainings I attended conducted by DA-BFAR into a promising alternative source of livelihood. I tried to make bangus sisig, boneless bangus, bangus siomai, among others, even if we are in a mountainous area”), said Analiza.

Located at the northeastern part of Cagayan Valley Region, Quirino is a landlocked province.  People living in landlocked and mountainous areas are susceptible for the prevalence of iodine deficiency-related diseases. In order to address this condition, the fisheries Bureau regularly conducts capacity-building and skills training on fish processing among women-fisherfolk. (story by: Jesimie Tac-an, PFO Quirino)