BUTUAN CITY - The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII officially launched the Technology-integrated Radio, e-Learning, and Social Media Education + (TReSE+) program on vegetable production. The program, which began on August 16, 2025, aims to intensify vegetable production in Butuan City by empowering youth through a multi-platform learning approach.

TReSE+ is a modified School-on-the-Air (SOA) that integrates radio broadcasts, social media, and e-learning with a practical, hands-on component - establishment of a vegetable garden. The program is a collaborative effort with Caraga State University - College of Agriculture and Agri-Industries (CSU-CAA) and Los Angeles National High School (LANHS). It engages 527 students—377 from CSU-CAA and 150 from LANHS—in a 16-session series that will run every Saturday and Sunday until October.

According to Mr. Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac, Chief of the Information Services Section, TReSE+ aligns with ATI’s mission by using a multi-sensory learning theory. The program goes beyond traditional lectures, offering students the opportunity to learn through various media platforms and tangibly apply their knowledge. OIC Assistant Center Director Violeta T. Laguna noted that the program will equip students with the knowledge and skills for vegetable production, fostering an appreciation for safe and nutritious food sources.

Dr. Elizabeth Parac, Dean of CSU-CAA, highlighted the innovative nature of TReSE+, which will provide learning beyond the four walls of the classroom. She added that it will reinforce formal education by strengthening the technical knowledge and practical skills of the students.

Participants are required to complete all 16 sessions and listen to topics discussed by expert resource persons, such as Senior Agriculturist Engr. John Wevin P. Tingas of the City Agriculture and Veterinary Department (CAVD) - Butuan City, and complete at least five e-learning courses. The practical component involves developing and implementing a vegetable garden project. Engr. Tingas will be joined by select CSU instructors and CAVD technical staff as resource persons.

The program launch included a pre-test administered by Engr. Tingas to assess the initial knowledge of the enrollees.