(Left to right) Florepe M. Mortalla, Chief, ISS/SOA Coordinator of ATI Region 6; Feelmer John Sasis, Senior Agriculturist, PCA Aklan, Pia Jemimah C. Selorio, Technical Support Staff I of ATI Region 6; Dr. Ildefonso T. Toledo, Provincial Agriculturist of the Province of Iloilo; Catheryn M. Villorente, Information Officer II of ATI Region 6; Mary Ann A. Ramos, Center Director of ATI Region 6; Romy Cahilig, News Director of K5 News FM Kalibo; Christine Mae Tubera-Baticbatic, Agriculturist I of ATI Region 6; and Reinheart Kevin Villan, Agriculturist II of PCA Iloilo.
KALIBO, Aklan – The ATI Region 6, in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority 6, officially launched the "Masaganang Coco-Buhayan: School-on-the-Air on Coconut Production and Processing" on May 18, 2025, live on K5 News FM Kalibo.
This radio program is one of the Agricultural Training Institute's activities and programs designed to share and enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of coconut farmers in the region.
Present during the event are Dr. Ildefonso T. Toledo, Provincial Agriculturist of Iloilo; Mr. Reinheart Kevin Villan, Agriculturist II, representing Mr. Joel P. Solis, Division Chief of PCA Iloilo; Mr. Feelmer John R. Sasis, Senior Agriculturist of PCA Aklan, representing Dr. Niel J. Melencion, Regional Manager of PCA 6; and Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, MNSA, CESO III, Director IV of ATI, joined the event via the Zoom application. Also in attendance were Ms. Mary Ann A. Ramos, Center Director of ATI Region 6; Ms. Florepe M. Mortalla, ISS Chief/SOA Coordinator; and staff from the Information Services Section, as well as K5 News FM.
CD Mary Ann A. Ramos during her welcome remarks marking the start of the launching broadcast.
Moreover, this activity supports the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (CFITF), also known as Republic Act (R.A.) 11524, and radio-based distance learning, which will benefit coconut farmers in their homes.
CD Mary Ann Ramos stressed in her welcome remarks the importance of coconut farmers and the coconut industry in the country's agricultural sector.
During the launching broadcast, the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and Contract took place between the various agencies, witnessed by the guests and the radio station's staff.
The guests sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the radio program.
Additionally, the partner agencies conveyed their message of commitment and support throughout the entire radio program process.
This radio program is now in its third season, with the target participants being 550 coconut farmers who are registered on the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS) from Iloilo, specifically from the municipalities of Balasan, Leon, Tubungan, Lemery, Concepcion, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Igbaras, Carles, and San Dionisio.
The discussion between agencies and local government units (LGUs) during the inception meeting.
Before the launching broadcast, a School-on-the-Air Inception meeting was held last April 15, 2025, at PCA 6 Office, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, together with the representatives and focal persons of the abovementioned LGUs, where various agreements were made before and during the implementation of the said radio program.
The Masaganang Coco-Buhayan: School-on-the-Air on Coconut Production and Processing will be aired every Sunday from May to September 2025 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 in the afternoon at K5 News FM Kalibo and their relay stations in the municipalities of Iloilo, namely, Concepcion, Leon, Barotac Viejo, Igbaras, Lemery, Tubungan, Balasan, and San Joaquin.
