Masbate Representative Maria Vida Bravo has filed a measure seeking the creation of the Masbate Institute of Fisheries and Technology in Ticao Island in the Bicol Region to provide young Filipinos living there easy and affordable access to technical education.

Bravo, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), noted that Ticao Island, where many of its residents live in poverty, would benefit immensely from the establishment of the educational institution.

Ticao Island is one of the islands comprising the province of Masbate. Its geographical isolation especially during the typhoon season makes it difficult for its residents to travel to the mainland, where most of the schools, markets and other modern  and vital  facilities are located.

Bravo said House Bill 5575 seeking to establish the Masbate Institute of Fisheries and Technology will help create jobs for the youth of Ticao Island and help them improve their lives.

"Our migration among the youth and other members of the labor force is high but this has no significant impact on the local economy since most of the outbound workers for possible employment in the urban centers lack the required skills in the domestic labor market. Hence, employability and productivity remain an issue," Bravo said.

Under her measure, the National Government shall establish an extension campus of Milagros School of Fisheries to be  renamed the Masbate Institute of Fisheries and Technology in the Island of Ticao, province of Masbate.

The Masbate Institute of Fisheries and Technology-Ticao Island Campus shall be under the supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The extension campus will focus on providing  relevant quality and affordable technical vocational education and training to out-of-school youth, high school graduates, underemployed adults and other workers in the informal sector, Bravo said.