VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON — Maricz Integrated Farm, a certified Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), officially forged a partnership with the San Agustin Institute of Technology (SAIT), Inc. through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the farm on May 15, 2026. This collaboration is designed to strengthen the experiential learning opportunities for students pursuing a degree in agribusiness management under the school's College of Business. Under the signed agreement, the farm will open its doors as a dedicated learning venue for laboratory classes, feasibility studies, and agricultural research.
During the ceremony, Ms. Blanca H. Garduque, DBM, Dean of the College of Business of SAIT, presented a comprehensive overview and explained the key provisions of the MOA. The agreement ensures that the corporate and academic sectors work hand-in-hand to equip the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs with real-world skills.
Farm owner Mr. Ricardo Ponio expressed his family's eager willingness to share the extensive knowledge and skills they have acquired from various Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) programs and actual day-to-day farming experiences. He emphasized that students will have full access to the farm's facilities to conduct both their academic and practical hands-on activities.
Representing ATI-RTC X Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez, Training Specialist III Ms. Jhoylie Mae R. Caumban highlighted the significance of the partnership. She noted how the farm’s journey toward success serves as a powerful inspiration for students to pursue active ventures in agribusiness, while praising the farm's enduring commitment to technology transfer and regional agricultural development.
The event was well-attended by key representatives from both organizations. Joining Mr. Ponio from Maricz Integrated Farm were Mr. Michael Alvarez and Ms. Rhea Ponio-Alvarez.
The high-level SAIT delegation was led by Dr. Glenne A. Rivera, Vice President for Academic Affairs, alongside Dr. Dickson P. Pagente, Vice President for Planning and Advancement and Research Director; Dr. Marjorie S. Resullar, Community Extension Director; Ms. Sheila Rose T. Lumaygay, MMBM, Technology Protection and Commercialization Officer; Mr. Nicolas B. Mantica Jr., CHRA, MBA, College Faculty; and Ms. Eva Marie Continedas, Community Extension Secretary.
