BAYBAY CITY, Leyte - The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center VIII (ATI-RTC 8) in Eastern Visayas officially launched its 39th Anniversary Celebration on February 5, 2026, with a meaningful outreach initiative held at its compound in Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte. Anchored on the anniversary theme, “Loyalty in Action: Driving Agricultural Excellence through Service and Accountability,” the celebration underscored ATI’s enduring commitment to public service, strong partnerships, and institutional integrity.
More than a simple commemoration of milestones, this year’s anniversary translates loyalty into concrete actions that benefit both communities and the organization. As part of the celebration, ATI-RTC 8 conducted the ATIng Handog Outreach Activity, inviting four elementary schools—Punta Elementary School, Guadalupe Elementary School, Kilim Elementary School, and Candadam Elementary School—previous beneficiaries of garden support under the ROARS and 3As programs. The outreach served as a reaffirmation of ATI’s accountability in sustaining past interventions and ensuring their long-term impact, particularly in strengthening the schools’ respective Gulayan sa Paaralan projects.
The activity aimed to support the sustainability of the beneficiary schools’ gardens through capacity-building on urban gardening, interactive agricultural learning sessions, and the provision of gardening inputs. Students and teachers participated in a short yet comprehensive reorientation on Urban Gardening, equipping them with practical knowledge to maintain and revitalize their school gardens. Ms. Emie Uy served as the resource person, demonstrating proper soil preparation, seed selection, and seed sowing techniques. Her hands-on approach made the session engaging and accessible, especially for the young learners, who eagerly took part in the demonstration.
Complementing the learning session was the much-anticipated ATIng Laro at Saya for Kids, where fun and education came together in a series of agriculture-themed games. Crossword puzzles, balloon popping challenges, word unscrambling, and maze-solving activities reinforced key concepts in agriculture and urban gardening while promoting teamwork and healthy competition.
Ms. Maria Weena Donayre, Class Adviser from Punta Elementary School, said that she had an amazing and enjoyable experience with the kids learning through games and lectures. “This is a great opportunity not just for the school but for the kids to learn more about agriculture.” She hopes that Punta Elementary School wins the overall games so that they can extend their prize to the school and have a mini-blowout for the kids. Indeed, Punta Elementary School emerged as the overall winner, ending the morning activity on a joyful and inspiring note.
Through the ATIng Handog Outreach and the honoring of loyal personnel, ATI-RTC 8 embodied “Loyalty in Action”—serving communities, sustaining meaningful partnerships, and advancing agricultural development with purpose and responsibility. As the Institute marks 39 years of service, it continues to plant seeds of excellence that will grow in schools, communities, and the agriculture sector for years to come.
