QUEZON CITY, Philippines – A send-off ceremony was officially held for the 50 young farmers comprising the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan (FYFIPT) Batch 7 “SIBOL” at the ATI-RDEC Function Hall in Quezon City. The participants are set to depart for Taiwan on June 8, 2026, for their 11-month internship in modern agriculture.
The FYFIPT is a collaborative program of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). It aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of young Filipino farmers by providing them with opportunities to learn advanced technologies, modern farming practices, and effective agribusiness management systems in Taiwan.
Among the selected interns from the Caraga Region is Elmer Y. Bulala of Barangay Batukan, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, who serves as the official representative of Caraga Region. He joins 49 other young farmers from across the country who will undergo specialized training designed to develop them into future agricultural leaders, innovators, and champions.
During the ceremony, Deputy Representative Dustin Yang encouraged the interns to maximize every learning opportunity in Taiwan and bring home valuable knowledge and experiences that can contribute to the advancement of the Philippine agricultural sector. He also highlighted the program’s enhanced benefits, including visa fee waivers, increased monthly allowances, and improved overtime compensation for interns.
Meanwhile, ATI Director Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter described the interns as “ambassadors of goodwill” who will help strengthen agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines. Likewise, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro emphasized that the program is a significant investment in the future of Philippine agriculture by preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the recognition of the winners of the Agribusiness Pitching Competition, which featured innovative business proposals from graduates of previous batches of the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan (FYFIPT). The top three proposals each received an additional PHP 150,000 grant to support the implementation and expansion of their agribusiness ventures. Caraga once again brought pride to the region through Engr. Anna Mae A. Apatan of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, a FYFIPT Batch 5 graduate, who secured Second Place with her proposal entitled “Papaya Ice Cream: A High-Value, Profitable Agri-business for Sustainable Fruit Processing and Market Growth.” Her winning concept highlighted the potential of value-added processing to create new market opportunities for local farmers, promote sustainable enterprise development, and generate additional income for agricultural communities.
The competition provided graduate interns with an opportunity to showcase innovative agribusiness ideas that can generate livelihood opportunities and contribute to community development. Engr. Apatan’s achievement further highlights the vital role of women as leaders and innovators in the agricultural sector.
As FYFIPT Batch 7 prepares for its journey to Taiwan, ATI and its partner agencies look forward to welcoming home a new generation of young farmers equipped with enhanced knowledge, skills, and experiences that will contribute to the growth and modernization of Philippine agriculture. Region XIII takes pride in the participation of Elmer Y. Bulala as Caraga’s representative and in the achievement of Engr. Anna Mae A. Apatan, both of whom exemplify the talent, dedication, and potential of the region’s young farmers.
