Humble Beginnings: Davao del Norte School of Fisheries

In 1969, Republic Act No. 5876 was enacted to create Davao del Norte School of Fisheries (DaNSoF). It was a secondary school located at Bayawa (now San Pedro, Panabo City) and was envisioned to educate fisher folks and their children on sustainable fishing and responsible use of natural resources. Six years after the enactment, the Secretary of Education permitted school operations. Mr. Tranquilino P. Benigno was designated as the Vocational School Administrator II. He laid the foundation and spearheaded the implementation of the Fisheries School and upgraded its status to a Regional Institute of Fisheries.

Earlier Years: Davao Regional Institutes of Fisheries Technology

A team from the Educational Development Project Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF) evaluated DaNSoF with seven (7) more schools nationwide to evaluate its potential as an implementer of the 6th IBRD Fishery Education Development Program sponsored by the World Bank. It elevated the status of DaNSoF from a secondary to a post-secondary school. DaNSoF was named as the Davao Regional Institute of Fisheries Technology (DRIFT). It offered a three (3)-year Diploma in Fisheries Technology with specializations in fish culture, fish capture, and fish processing, while still conducting classes for the secondary school.

Davao del Norte State College during the presidency of Dr. Vicente C. Hermoso

On February 14, 1995, Republic Act No. 7879 was signed into law by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos, converting DRIFT into Davao del Norte State College. Dr. Vicente C. Hermoso, the incumbent administrator was appointed as the first president. During his term, DNSC acquired the management of the Marine Reserve Park (MRP) in Barangay Adecor, Island Garden City of Samal. The MRP has been the center of the Giant Clam Conservation efforts in the region and now, the site of Taklobo Tours, an eco-tourism and livelihood project of DNSC in collaboration with the Local Government of IGACOS and the fishing community in the area. Dr. Hermoso initiated the offering of the 4-year degree Programs in Marine Biology, Fisheries Education, and Information Technology.

Davao del Norte State College during the presidency of Dr. Edgardo M. Santos

On October 30, 2001, Dr . Edgardo M. Santos became the second president of Davao del Norte State College. He initiated the following institutional reformations; (1) College Re-engineering through a Strategic Plan, (2) Implementation of Good Governance and Equitable Access, (3) Offering of Quality and Relevant Programs, and (4) Strengthening of Research, Extension, and Production. DNSC became a locus of the DOST-PCAMRD Zonal Center V and was also awarded by CHED the 2008 Best Research Program in Region XI for Biodiversity and Environment and the 2010 Outstanding Extension Program in Region XI for the Development Interventions in Samal Island: DEDDNSC Project Collaboration.

Davao del Norte State College during the presidency of Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan

On December 14, 2010, Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan was appointed as the third president of DNSC. He embarked on efforts to sustain the College’s quest for excellence in academics, research, extension, and production. DNSC expanded its list of program offerings related to Business, Tourism, and Governance. Additionally, the Datu Jose A. Libayao: DNSC Extension Campus was inaugurated in the Municipality of Talaingod to offer agriculture-related program for the Ata Manabo Indigenous Cultural Community in the area. The college also partnered with Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) to provide educational opportunities for local and provincial government employees who have been in the public service for years, but were not able to finish their college degrees. He initiated several internationalization efforts of the College through a strong partnership with three foreign universities, namely; University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), Nha Trang University (NTU), and American Cairo University (ACU). Moreover, the College’s partnership with RARE, an international conservation organization, successfully implemented the Panabo City Pride Campaign, in collaboration with the local government unit of Panabo. The Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, and Bachelor of Science in Fisheries were accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept international students.

Davao del Norte State College at present with Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa as its president

On March 15, 2019, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa was appointed as the fourth president of the College and the first woman to take the helm. On her first year, the College was awarded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the “Gawad Pagkilala” recognition as a stakeholder/partner institution which afforded exemplary support and contributions in fisheries conservation and management. She also strengthened the linkages of the College both locally and internationally. She visited local government executives to discuss continuing and future partnerships, and was able to secure a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between DNSC and the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam.

The College was also declared as the 9th Best Performing School in Teacher Education because of its performance in the September 2019 Licensure Examination. DNSC was able to produce four top-notchers for 2019.

With the leadership of Dr. Sorrosa and support of the DNSC community, the College was able to come up with its five-year Strategic Plan (2020 – 2024). The plan included strategies that will help the College fulfill its vision of becoming a Premiere Higher Institution in Agri-Fisheries and Socio-Cultural Development in the ASEAN Region.

DNSC will continue to expand as it prepares to offer more programs that are responsive to the needs of the country, both in the undergraduate and graduate levels. It will retain and strengthen its roots as a fishery institution, which purpose and relevance stand the test of time.

Dr. Sorrosa believes that the key in effectively implementing organizational reforms is the human resource. She has been initiating activities that focus on the attainment of inclusive holistic growth of the College’s faculty members, administrative staff, and students. With the efforts and contributions of its people, DNSC will remain as an institution that leads, nurtures, and gives back.