SANGUINE OF HOPE

Mon 01/09/2023 05:49pm

Apart from the challenges in the agriculture sector such as the continuous fight against ASF, the devastation caused by typhoon Paeng, there was also a change in the leaders of our country, as well as in the DA-ATI directorate.

ATI CALABARZON also underwent transition, last May 2022, Dr. Rolando V. Maningas was appointed as OIC-Training Center Superintendent II. With the dawning of new responsibility assigned to him, Dr. Maningas remained sanguine that with the support of the staff and other stakeholders, the Center will be able to accomplish all its targets for the remaining months of the year.

Despite all the difficulties and transformations in the year 2022, the DA-ATI-CALABARZON fulfilled its commitment of providing high-quality extension service while developing creative practices toward excellence.

DA-ATI CALABARZON is immensely pleased with the following initiatives and alliances that have been put into effect with great success, through everyone's dedication and cooperation.

Training of Trainers on Participatory Guarantee System

Graduates of this program from Laguna have already received certification from BAFS, and they are currently applying for accreditation as the first organic certifying body in the region.

Pathways to growth: Leadership skills training for AEWs

A two-day activity centered on the qualities a good leader must possess.

Extension and Training Management Capability Development (ETMCD) Course for Agricultural Extension Workers

A four-phase hybrid learning journey designed to create a new breed of adaptable and powerful AEWs in the region.

Supervisory Development Course (Track 1)

A collaboration with Civil Service Commission designed to cultivate the skills of empowered supervisors.

Training on Social Media Optimization

Increasing the level of optimization for the FITS Center's Facebook page, social media posts, audience persona, and content schedule.

CORNVersations

An online learning exercise that discussed several methods for managing and marketing food products with corn as the primary ingredient.

Collaborative Activities with Regional PAF-ESPs

Analyzing how different digital technologies are used in farming, with participants getting a one-year subscription to a digital platform.

Agripreneurship Transformation thru Digitalization of Farm Operations Management by Moca Family Farm
Introductory Course on Soil Ecology and Its Role in Sustainable Agricultural Production: by ABF Integrated Farms and Agribusiness Center, Inc.

Other agri-fishery extension activities which are still part of the innovations of the Center for FY 2022 are as follows:

Pahiyas@ATI-CALABARZON

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon, served as inspiration. Exciting programs like Kaunting Kahalamanan with Kuya Hans and Healthy Friday Recipe, delivered LIVE with Cavite State University students, are a part of the celebration.

Ekstensyonistang OA 2022

The center started a quiz competition for CALABARZON's Agricultural Extension Workers, which is now in its 3rd year of implementation.

Kumustahan with RCEF Implementers

The implementation of the RCEF in the Region is the subject of an annual activity to assess its status and challenges encountered.

National Rice Awareness Month Celebration in 2022 (NRAM Celebration)

The Center created a Panatang Makapalay video performed by ATI RTC IVA staff.

Evaluation Study

Forged an agreement with different State Universities to carry out various program evaluations.

In-house Assessment

A competition between sections or units recognizing Center-developed innovative projects.

Continuing Professional Development

The Center was able to implement 17 PRC-accredited programs.

ATIng Parangal

An activity being conducted every three years, giving recognition to extension pillars who had consistently provided outstanding support to the programs and projects of the Center.

Extension Partners’ Forum for LSAs & PAF-ESPs

Now on its 6^th year, conducted in partnership with Waltermart, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where the event not only provided as a forum for talking about upgrades and product development, but also allowed partners to freely display and sell their goods.

Informative new program segments on SOA-Corn

Agri Panahon provided updates on the weather and farm advisory.
Bantay Presyo a news advisory on the latest pricelist of corn products and other commodities in the market.

AgriStudio Live

In its third season, the program concentrated on the different jobs and opportunities accessible to young people in the agricultural industry, as well as their advocacies and other engagements.

Techno Gabay Program

One of the highlights of the summit was the Technology Forum showcasing the matured technology of Partner Agencies from partner State Universities.

IEC Barcoding System

Designed exclusively to improve inventory management, wherein a scanner can read and transmit the encoded data to a computer.

MPC in Agricultural Extension

A coffee table book including the memorable remarks and quotes made by Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico while serving as the Center Director.

Program Information Archive (PIA)

The records retrieval information system for DA-ATI CALABARZON's trainings and other agriculture and fisheries activities.

Director’s Node

An essential component of the Center's official website, documenting the Center Director's participation in the organization of numerous trainings and other activities.

Extension in the Philippines is said to be pluralistic. Thus, non-government organizations, private individuals and government institutions provide extension services in the rural areas. And when these pillars of extension combined their resources, a stronger partnership is created. The Center was able to forge several partnerships in 2022, among them were:

Halamanan sa Bahay-Kalinga

A collaborative organic-based urban agriculture project for abandoned children with special needs.

Lingap sa Lipata

A collaboration between the Local Government of Panukulan and the Lipata Agriculture Workers Association (LAWA) for the growth of the organization geared toward community farm enhancement as a potential LSA.

Partnership with DAR

An offshoot of DA ATI & DAR’s Farm Business School Project for the development of Palangue Agricultural Learning Site and Demonstration Farm in Naic, Cavite and other ARBO-based LSA.

Partnership with DSWD

Urban Agriculture seminars supporting Enhanced Partnerships Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) were held, with the 4P's as program beneficiaries.

Urban Agriculture Interventions for other Institutions

A part of the produce from the "UrbanATInTo" Techno Demo Farm was also given to the BJMP and Cavite Center for Mental Health by the Center as part of its commitment to social responsibility

2022 was a very rewarding year for DA-ATI CALABARZON. It bagged eight (8) awards from the various assessments conducted by the Central Office last year. Some of these are the “2022 Most Innovative Regional Training Center”, “Ranked 1st in Physical and Financial Accomplishments under the Organic Agriculture Program for FY 2022” and the notable accomplishments in the implementation of Techno Gabay Program.

Remaining hopeful, under Dr. Maningas’ leadership, ATI CALABARZON will keep strengthening relationships and empowering extension representatives upholding the Institute’s principles in order to boost region's Agriculture and Fisheries Extension system in the coming years.