CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur - The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1 (DA ATI-RTC 1), together with the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC), spearheaded a meeting with the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) on July 12, 2024.
The activity was organized mainly to discuss partnerships for revitalizing the Techno Gabay Program in the province of Ilocos Sur. Specifically, the meeting was set to restrengthen the partner member agency (PMA) scheme that will cater to the Farmer’s Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers in the province.
Led by the ATI-RTC 1 TGP Focal Person Mr. Alladin C. Tabo, the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in TGP were presented. The details for the FITS Kiosk establishment were also discussed as to the intent of the ISPSC. Mr. Tabo mentioned the key features of a FITS Kiosk, including the requirements.
The meeting was participated in by key officials from the ISPSC, including the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Internalization, Dr. Annabelle B. Francisco; Extension Director, Dr. Chistian Gandeza; and Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Ephraine Hyacinth R. Chavez.
The representatives of ILAARRDEC were also in attendance and further elaborated on the role and functions of a PMA. They shared the best practices of the Mariano Marcos State University as the PMA in Ilocos Norte. Among the mentioned practices were establishing strong coordination with FITS Centers, regular field monitoring and evaluation, complementation of resources, and others.
The attendees from the consortium were Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas, Regional Technology Transfer Cluster Coordinator; Prof. Love Grace Campano, Regional Information and Communications Technology Cluster Coordinator; Dr. Marilou Lucas, Regional Research and Development Cluster Coordinator; and members of the secretariat, Ms. Mary Ann Rarogal and Mr. Guiller Lopez.
The meeting ended with the presentation of the proposed activities and timeline. To cite, a memorandum of agreement for the PMA scheme is expected to be signed and executed in October, while another MOA for the establishment of FITS Kiosk is expected to be released in September.
The meeting was part of the Center’s initiative in the province of Ilocos Sur. To recall, a meeting with the Provincial Local Government, headed by Governor Jeremias Singson, was also organized in April to discuss the same agenda.
Indeed, this effort contributes to the ultimate goal of the techno gabay program in the region towards improved and accessible agriculture and fishery information and technologies.
