EL SALVADOR CITY, Misamis Oriental — The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) held a homecoming and send-off ceremony to honor Region X’s returning young farmer interns from Taiwan and Japan, and to formally send off a new batch of interns bound for Taiwan.
Recognized during the ceremony were the four interns of the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan: Sherwin Khen Tavita, Neil Ven Cent R. Ellacer, Ruary Ann C. Raganot, Klaire O. Jugos, Khent Joseph J. Uban, and Stephine C. Pantilgan; and two interns of the Young Filipino Farmer Leaders Training Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ) 2026, Emeil John V. Sundo and Louie S. Burbano.
ATI-RTC X Center Director Ms. Maria Lydia A. Echavez welcomed the returning interns and commended them for successfully representing the region and the Philippines in the international internship exchange programs.
Director Echavez acknowledged the sacrifices, hard work, and challenges the interns had to overcome during their stay abroad, emphasizing that their achievements were earned through perseverance and determination.
Moreover, she also highlighted the importance of youth participation in agriculture, stressing that the sector needs more young people from various fields such as engineering, education, business, health, and technology to help modernize and sustain Philippine agriculture.
The event also served as the Internship Agreement Signing and Send-off Ceremony for the four interns of the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan - Batch 2027. The outgoing interns were Jedeiah Elia Marie B. Buala, Faith Jezybel T. Dagano, Joseph Angelo T. Escoro, and Fanny A. Salibo, who are set to begin their internship journey in Taiwan on (add month and year).
Mr. Javier P. Andalan, Chief of the Partnership and Accreditation Section (PAS), also joined the ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of the returning interns and to encourage the outgoing batch as they prepare for their overseas internships.
During the activity, the returning interns shared valuable insights into modern farming practices, innovative technologies, farm discipline, and cultural experiences gained at their host farms in Taiwan and Japan. They also recounted the challenges they encountered abroad and how they overcame them through resilience and adaptability.
The returning interns further inspired the next batch of participants by encouraging them to maximize the opportunity, learn as much as possible, and return home ready to contribute to the development of agriculture in their communities.
Through these international internship programs, ATI continues to empower young Filipino farmers by equipping them with global knowledge, practical skills, and leadership values that can help strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.
The activity was held on May 12, 2026, at ATI-RTC X. (With reports from Kristal Noriz T. Ras, Technical Support Staff)
