BUTUAN CITY – In partnership with the Butuan City Agriculture and Veterinary Department, the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII conducted a mass graduation ceremony for the “Buhay na Buhay sa Gulay: School-on-the-Air” on Vegetable Production on October 22, 2024, at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center.

A total of 504 graduates were awarded certificates of completion. The top three graduates, Joas Mahinay, Salvador Dapadap, and Josie Ballono, received rubber boots, raincoats, and chargeable knapsack sprayers.

The School-on-the-Air (SOA) program aims to intensify and strengthen vegetable production promotion in the target province and contribute to food sufficiency. It also addresses the participants' problems and information needs regarding corn production.

The graduation event was attended by Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Elizabeth Marie R. Calo, City Councilor Cromwell Perez Nortega, OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Benjie M. Villaruben, and City Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Anthony D. Joven.

The "Buhay na Buhay sa Gulay" SOA on Vegetable Production was launched on June 5, 2024, and completed its 16 episodes on September 18, 2024, for Butuan City. The program was aired over Magik FM 97.5, with Engr. John Wevin A. Tingas as the anchorperson and Engr. Lestan M. Morales as the SOA coordinator, both from the CAVD.