From a reserved “silent type” kid as he described himself, Dr. Joey A. Belarmino is now the newly appointed Center Director/Training Superintendent II of Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center III (ATI-RTC III).
Dr. Joey A. Belarmino officially assumed duty as the Center Director in ATI-RTC III on January 9, 2023. He officially recited his oath of allegiance before the Agricultural Training Institute Director, Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter at ATI Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City on January 12, 2023.
Dr. Joey as a student
“I am the type of kid na hindi pala recite, silent type kumbaga. My strength is in writing,” he described himself.
Growing up, he did not have any specific dream but surely wants to become someone someday. In college, he took up BS in Agricultural Engineering at Central Bicol State University, Pili, Camarines Sur, took a master's in Public Administration at Ateneo De Naga University, and Doctorate in Development Education at CBSU. After graduating with his bachelor's degree, he worked as a Research Enumerator in the Research Division of Central Bicol State University under the project: Post Harvest Assessment funded by NAPHIRE (now known as Philmech) in 1994.
While working as a research enumerator, he was also reviewing for board exams, and at first, he passed. This opens new and bigger opportunities. He then worked as a professor teaching mathematics and agriculture. However, due to his reserved nature, after a year he resigned. This opened the window where he would learn and be exposed to the field he was meant to be serving.
Becoming part of ATI Family
Starting his journey in ATI-Bicol, he worked as Agriculturist I. Just like everyone else, he worked his way up to the place he is today. For him, doing the best you can in your work is important and must be due to your passion to work and not for the recognition of others. Small things indeed contribute to the goodness you are destined to have.
He was able to work in every technical staff work that exposed and taught him of the procedures, processes, and importance of their work for the community they were serving. He reiterated, “Na experienced ko yung each level ng technical staff work kaya mas nalaman ko kung ano yung operations dito sa office. And because of that, I learned na it’s better if I show them how to do the job than just telling them what to do.”
He believes that being a good example will inspire those around him to do their best more than words can. Stepping every stage of the stairs to climb up to the position he is now, all the experiences he had from the start prepared him for a bigger calling, a center director.
Aside from being a leader at work, he is a great father of three and a husband to a wife who works as a professor at CBSU. His oldest child is a graduate and currently working as a Civil Engineer, while his second is a graduating student taking up BS in Development Communication and his youngest child is currently a second-year student studying computer science.
Despite being away from his family who is residing in Bicol, taking advantage of the technology helped in lessening homesickness.
Importance of ATI
“ATI is very important dahil everything starts with knowledge and training.” Dr. Joey shared as he explained the importance of ATI in helping farmers achieve their fullest potential. For him, in every development initiative, one of the most important aspects is gaining knowledge. Translating the objectives of a project/program and how it will reach the beneficiaries all starts with understanding the purpose of the work.
Knowledge and training come hand-in-hand in educating the people about the technologies produced by different agencies which they can benefit from and use as a stepping stone in achieving their fullest potential. To make this happen, conducting training to prepare the people involved in the process and implementation of the program must undergo training where their capabilities are nurtured.
Although technology helps, in some instances, some farmers have less reliance on training and solely rely on produced materials. This shows the importance of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Materials as self-help training. He explained that the role of ATI is to deliver appropriate communication methods to various audiences and make use of the appropriate extension approaches, methodologies, and strategies for every type of client.
His Goals for the Center
For Dr. Belarmino, being a director of an agricultural training institute is an opportunity to share his advocacies and suggest his ideas that may help in the improvement of the center, stakeholders, and farmers. He attests that it is a great privilege to be a leader and a big responsibility for his decisions will make a big impact on his staff and center.
He shared that it is also his job to create an atmosphere that is conducive to working where the staff can comfortably work together in harmony. In the future years, he shared his goals for the Regional Training Center III.
“My goal for ATI-RTC III is to be a training center that is relevant, innovative, and delivered by highly competent staff. A training center with state-of-the-art facilities to give the staff a conducive and comfortable environment. Kasi and ATI may brand yan. Kapag sinabi mong ATI mataas yung level of competence na pinoproject nito. Kapag sinabi mong ATI, magaling yan, maganda mag organize ng activities/ programs, at magaling mag resource person.”
Message of Appreciation
The Center Director expresses his appreciation for everyone who has been part of his journey and have supported him along the way.
He expressed, “I am very thankful to be given the opportunity na maging center director ng ATI-RTC III, especially ng Central Luzon because it is one of the progressive regions ng bansa natin. The science community contributes to this. I’m really grateful to be part ng Central Luzon through ATI sa pagpoprovide ng extension services sa region. Kumbaga, bridging research and extension. I am also very thankful sa mga kasamahan ko, sa lahat, every employee, maraming salamat sa inyo. Although hindi ako taga dito, hindi ako nahirapan na mag blend-in sa kanila. Very thankful ako sa support na ibinibigay nila sa akin. Of course, pati na rin sa mga partners natin, na napaka-warm ng welcome sa akin, especially ang mga key figures ng Central Luzon, sa Department of Agriculture, sa academe at sa lahat ng aming partners.”
(Rocel Dyan Silva)
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