The Maran’s Skills Training and Assessment Center located in Paniki, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya was launched as Learning Site for Agriculture under Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) on April 19, 2023. The owner, Ms. Catherine Cardenas, received its certificate after the unveiling of the LSA signage during the launching activity.

The activity was graced by ATI RTC 2 Center Director Imelda M. Guillermo, Municipal Agriculturist of Bagabag Mr. Charles Fernandez, TESDA Nueva Vizcaya representative Ms. Vilma Dominguez and Brgy Captain of Brgy. Paniki Mr. Rolando Saturno.

Brgy Captain Saturno, TESDA representative Ms. Dominguez and Municipal Agriculturist Fernandez thanked ATI for supporting their barangay and municipality by assisting the Maran’s Skills Training and Assessment Farm to realize their goal to become LSA. It will be there as their wheel to help the farmer and other stakeholders who like to help farmers to uplift their life through learning new technologies about agriculture. They expressed their support to the needs of the far. They will also help the farmer cooperator to realize their goal. Ms. Fernandez also said that the LSA will be of great help to encourage farmers through the technology demonstration that ahe will showcase.

Center Director Guillermo also expressed her gratitude to the barangay, LGU-Bagabag and TESDA regarding their support to the LSA. She mentioned that LSA is an extension methodology to reach out more farmers in the locality and to inform them on new technologies and programs of the Department of Agriculture. She also encouraged the LSA cooperator to continue enhancing her farm and continue empowering herself by attending trainings. She reminded that the LSA cooperator should be the model of farmers in their area. LSA is an extension of ATI and LGU. Since the implementation of Mandana’s Ruling, LSAs arenow mandate of LGU. This means that they can maximize the farm as venue for trainings, meetings and other activity.

Ms. Catherine wholeheartedly accepted the responsibility of becoming a LSA cooperator. She then accepted the challenge of becoming a model farmer and LSA cooperator to others.