The Asia-Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission conducted its first Onsite vist to Bicol Region (Region V) at the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) at Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Philippines on May 23-24, 2013.

The team was composed of Team Leader, Dr. Godelyn G. Hisole (CPSC Faculty Specialist), Team Member, Dr. Mohammad Hisyam Mohd Hashim (CPSC Short-term Faculty Consultant) and CPSC staff Mr. Rae Emmanuel Echaveria (Research Assistant). They audited the institution’s operations, reviewed its documents and visited its facilities to validate CASIFMAS’ self-study report and provide the necessary recommendations for the institute’s further improvement.

Also part of the team are representatives from the Department of Polytechnic Education, Ministry of Higher Education of the Government of Malaysia: Pn. Noor Aidi Nadzri (Principal Senior Assistant Director), Pn. Roziyani Zaidon (Senior Assistant Director) and Pn. Noaryani Mohd Noor (Assistant Director). Their visit is to personally witness the onsite accreditation procedures to prepare the Malaysian polytechnic institutions to be accredited by APACC before the end of this calendar year.

CASIFMAS was established as the Pasacao School of Fisheries through the RA 1667 in June 22, 1963. It was converted to its present state through the RA 7948 enacted on March 3, 1995. On April 25, 2000 the administration of CASIFMAS was transferred from CHED to TESDA. Aside from its main campus in Pasacao, it has campuses in the towns of Ragay, Minalabac, Caranan and Libmanan. The institution currently offers 18 courses namely: Aquaculture, Technical Drafting, Tour Guiding Services, Housekeeping, Commercial Cooking, Automotive Services, Consumer Electronics, among others. The institution is being headed by Ms. Sonia E. De Ramos, Vocational School Administrator, since 2009.

CASIFMAS was assessed by APACC through the seven criteria namely: (1) Governance and Management, (2) Teaching and Learning, (3) Faculty and Staff, (4) Research and Development, (5) Extension, Consultancy and Linkages, (6) Resources and (7) Support to Students. The results of this onsite visit will be reviewed and by the APACC Board and TESDA before officialy releasing it to the institution.