Commitment: A Powerful Sign of Willpower, Resilience and Perseverance

Commitment: A Powerful Sign of Willpower, Resilience and Perseverance

Mon 06/02/2023-01:35pm

The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) keeps betting on the opportunities and potential of ongoing technological breakthroughs. Having assumed complete leadership of DA-ATI CALABARZON, the Training Center Superintendent II/Center Director Dr. Rolando V. Maningas participated on the 36th anniversary of ATI which was commemorated last January 23–27, 2023 at the Central Office with the theme “ATI LEADS: Innovate, Transform, Empower—Embracing Extension Modernization for a Progressive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries”.

In support to its operational strategies, the Ceremonial Commitment Signing of FY 2023 Work and Financial Plans was held as part of the celebration. This document contains all the programs and activities of each Regional Training Center. The signing was carried out in order to solidify and put into action the plans and objectives to transform ATI into the nation's top training institution. ATI’s programs for 2023 aim to refocus training initiatives to account for other value chain nodes, expand digital agriculture to address the industry’s challenges, make concerted attempt to engage youth in agriculture, and strengthen LSAs' contribution to the growth and development of agriculture and fisheries sector.

Additionally, part of the week-long celebration was a series of unveiling new initiatives of the ATI: the Unified Extension Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Information System (UnExSYs), the rebranded Digital Farmers Program (DFP) in partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications, and the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Strategic Plan for 2023–2028.

Through the network of training centers, concurrent activities were also held at the regional level. Last January 31, 2023, the institution's 36th founding anniversary was celebrated in the DA-ATI CALABARZON Compound, Brgy. Lapidario, Cavite, Trece Martires City, Cavite. The celebration started with a Holy Mass, followed by a program in recognition of the hardwork and dedication of several employees of DA-ATI CALABARZON. Encouraging video messages were also delivered by ATI OIC, Director IV Remelyn Recoter, MNSA, CESO III and Hon. Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

To make the celebration more meaningful as the Center fulfills its commitment of prioritizing the needs of nearby communities, Dr. Maningas came up with the idea of collaborating with DA-RFO IVA through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) and  hold a one-day KADIWA Retail Selling. Five (5) Farmers' Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) from the province of Cavite, marketed their various fresh and processed products. These FCAs include General Trias Dairy Raisers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pacheco Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Yakap at Halik MPC-Cavite, Daine 1 & 2 Farmers Association Inc. at Buklod Unlad Multi-Purpose Cooperative.   

Also, part of the celebration were three (3) Urban Agriculture (UA) Seminar Series entitled: "Paggawa ng mga Organikong Pataba" by Mr. Mervin B. Vitangcol; "Mga Natural na Pestisidyo" by Ms. Janine L. Cailo; and "Paghahalaman Gamit ang Tubig" by Engr. John M. Mendoza. The said session was attended by about 50 participants. The seminars were also streamed live on the official DA-ATI CALABARZON Facebook page.

The following people took part in the celebration: DA Regional Field Office IV-A led by Regional Executive Director Milo delos Reyes represented by Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Joselito Noceda; Hon. Mayor Gemma B. Lubigan represented by Ms. Maria Teresa Bergado; Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Cavite represented by Engr. Ana Pamela Nova; City Agriculture Office of Trece Martires led by Engr. Lariza Vey Cabaya; Office of the City Agriculture Office of General Trias led by Ms. Nerissa Marquez; and Municipal Agriculture Office of Naic led by Ms. Elma Valenzuela. The Barangay Chairman of Lapidario, Mr. Remegio Dilag also expressed his support during the aforementioned occasion.

Dr. Maningas emphasized that not only the founding of ATI is being honored; it is also a celebration of the diverse accomplishments of various agencies and private extension partners that are in unison with the institution in supporting and promoting the livelihoods  of our farmers and fisherfolks in the Region.

Written by: Christian Leonard M. Añonuevo