One of the scholars actively participates in the discussions and workshops and shares their ideas and experiences relevant to the discussed topics.
NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan – “Sometimes along the way, it could be a rough road, a winding road, a crossroad, but at the end of the day, it’s okay; I know you have big dreams; just hold on to your dreams because sooner you will realize that dream,” says Vianney T. Ojerio, ATI Region 6’s OIC-Assistant Center Director, as he graced the opening of the Empowering Youth of Coconut Sector: Training on Financial Literacy, which is first run in the Philippines, on November 22-23, 2024 at GLS Agricultural Integrated Farm, Brgy. Mataphao with 33 Coconut Scholars (CoScho) as participants.
ATI Region 6, with its partner from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), designed the activity dubbed the Empowering Youth of Coconut Sector under the Coconut Farmer and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Program. It aims to empower the youth with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate financial challenges and secure a better future for themselves and their families. The participants are students from the provinces of Aklan and Capiz who are enrolled in Aklan State University (Banga, Ibajay, and New Washington Campuses) and Capiz State University – Pontevedra Campus taking up BS in Agriculture, BS in Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, BS in Forestry, BS Marine Biology, BS in Environmental Science, BS Tourism Management, BS Food Technology, and BS in Business Administration.
They have learned about the Coconut Industry in Development Program, which enabled them to have a broader knowledge of the source of funding their scholarship as well as the situation of the coconut industry in the Philippines today, the financial literacy which enables them to assess their budgeting capabilities as youth who balances their wants and needs, they were taught the importance of saving for the future needs, and importance of credit and debt management which they may use not just during their school days but also for their future.
The resource persons are Feelmer John Sasis of PCA Aklan, Bob Johnson Galvan, and Arnulfo T. Magcope. Also, they could share their knowledge and experiences in managing their money and the resources provided to them until they finish their studies. Thus, this training equipped them with the knowledge and skills to manage their money and become responsible and wiser in the days ahead.
A scholar receives his award because of his exemplary performance in the training.
“What we develop in ATI is not only the skill, not only the knowledge, but we have developed the heart. The heart is how to use your money, how to use resources, and how to love some things. When you’re still young, and you know how to handle a little amount, they will trust you with small things until you reach the big things while the Lord is looking at you,” Mary Ann A. Ramos, ATI Region 6’s Center Director, expressed on her message during the closing program of the training. She also added a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world because the future depends on what you do today.”
Photo documentation with Ms. Mary Ann A. Ramos, Center Director, the training management team, and the participants.
