LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – Another pioneer and pillar of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 (ATI-RTC 13) is set to retire on December 31, 2021 following the retirement of its former Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo.

Assistant Center Director Heracleo “Rocky” Paler will be retiring after 31 years in ATI and 40 years in government service. Last December 16, 2021, a retirement tribute was accorded to him titled Salamat, Mabuhay: Rock-A-Bye Party by the ATI-RTC 13 staff. Friends, former colleagues, and fellow retirees were present to give their messages.

“Rocky” joined ATI in Butuan City in 1990 as one of Center’s pioneers. He held the position of Agriculturist II for 25 years from 1990-2015. In 2016 he was promoted to Senior Agriculturist. Finally in 2021, he moved up another notch as Training Center Superintendent I and was designated as Asst. Center Director.