LUCENA CITY, Quezon – On its 8th year of consistent implementation, the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Summit came back bigger and grander as the DA – Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CALABARZON integrated its first-ever Coconut Expo with the program.
On November 18-22, Lucena City in Quezon province became a melting pot of coconut farmers, implementing agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government units (LGUs), and even the public, merging to celebrate the 8th Techno Gabay Program Summit and 2024 Coconut Expo, with the theme: “Kultura, Sining, at Agham tungo sa Makabagong Industriya ng Pagniniyugan.”
The said Coconut Expo was housed for two days on November 18-19 at Pacific Mall Lucena, showcasing an array of coconut products such as lambanog, coco pots, coco sugar, virgin coconut oil, mouth and nasal spray, soap, cooking oil, and even delicacies such as buko pie, among others.
Featured exhibitors were cooperatives and small-scale coconut enterprises in the region namely: (1) Yakap at Halik Multipurpose Cooperative, (2) Samawin Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, (3) Makaisang Samahan ng Magniniyog at Maglalambanog Ilayang San Roque – Liliw Chapter (CocoLambda), (4) Ilayang Talim Agriculture Cooperative, (5) Quezon Federation and Union of Cooperatives, (6) Mang Ed Handicrafts, (7) Prosource International, Inc., (8) Ecological Solid Waste Solution, Inc., and (9) Pasciolco Agri-Ventures.
Simultaneously, a technology forum was held covering topics such as good agricultural practices (GAP) for coconut and its importance to agribusiness, potential and innovative agricultural products from coconut, empowering coconut farmers through product development and enterprise, coconut soap-making, and unlocking the potential of coconut byproducts.
“We envision an industry that moves beyond traditional practices, combining innovation and sustainability to shape the future of our coconut sector,” said Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, ATI CALABARZON Center Director.
Dr. Frederick T. Villa (University President, Southern Luzon State University); Mr. Bibiano C. Concibido, Jr. (Regional Manager III, Philippine Coconut Authority IV-A); Ms. Julieta L. Tadiosa (Provincial Director, Department of Trade and Industry - Quezon); Ms. Honeylet Famillaran from the Office of Sen. Cynthia Villar; and Mr. Alexander Garcia (Assistant Provincial Agriculturist, Quezon Provincial Agriculture Office) also graced the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremonies.
𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐆𝐏 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭
After the Coconut Expo 2024, ATI CALABARZON commenced the three-day 8th Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Summit at Ouan’s The Farm Resort from November 20-22.
The Center convened over 250 TGP implementers in the region, including SUCs, PLGUs, MS, and FITS Centers across the region, who are partners of the agency in responding to agricultural information and technology needs.
On the first day, TGP provincial team leaders shared the remarkable accomplishments of various FITS Centers in bridging the digital divide in agriculture for 2024.
Meanwhile, the second day highlighted some of the significant aspects of the coconut value chain through the technology forum, where participants learned from a pool of subject matter specialists from the PCA IV-A.
The 8th Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Summit concluded through an awarding ceremony, recognizing the excellence of various TGP implementers in delivering farmers’ information and technology services in the region. The recipients of the awards are as follows:
Minor Awards
Information Services Category
- Highest Number of RCM Recommendations Generated (Rice Crop Manager Dissemination)
Pila, Laguna
- Highest Number of Knowledge Products Developed and Disseminated
Teresa, Rizal (top)
Bacoor City, Cavite
Candelaria, Quezon
Rizal, Laguna
Calatagan, Batangas
Technology Services Category
- Highest Number of In-house Training Conducted and Assisted
Dasmariñas City, Cavite (top)
San Pablo City, Laguna
Batangas City, Batangas
Morong, Rizal
Atimonan, Quezon
Special Awards
- FITS Centers with Complete Reports (Provincial Level)
Cavite
Rizal
- Top 10 Performing FITS Center Social Media Page
Lucena City, Quezon
San Luis, Batangas
MoCa Family Farm RLearning Center
Polillo, Quezon
Imus City, Cavite
Dasmariñas City, Cavite
Candelaria, Quezon
Alabat, Quezon
Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Mauban, Quezon
- Best FITS Highlights of Accomplishment Poster
1st – Office of the Provincial Agriculturist - Cavite
2nd – Lucena City, Quezon
3rd – Bacoor City, Cavite
- Best Reels (Short video on best practices of Magsasaka Siyentista)
1st – Office of the Provincial Agriculturist - Cavite
2nd – Tanza, Cavite
3rd – Bacoor City, Cavite
- Best Techno-based IEC Material
1st – Office of the Provincial Agriculturist - Quezon
2nd – Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Cavite
3rd – Taytay, Rizal
Major Awards
Excellence Awardees
Gen. Trias City Dasmariñas City |
Batangas City Mataasnakahoy
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Pila San Pablo City
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Catanauan Candelaria
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Taytay Morong Teresa |
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In his message, Dr. Maningas expressed that he witnessed how the TGP Summit grows and innovates through the years, and thanked its implementers for realizing their commitment.
Spearheaded by ATI CALABARZON through its ISS, the 8th Techno Gabay Program Summit and 2024 Coconut Expo was in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Quezon, SLSU, PCA IV-A, DTI Quezon, and Pacific Mall Lucena.
