BAYBAY CITY, Leyte — The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 8, as the training arm of the Department of Agriculture in the region, recognizes the significant manpower resource of the Department, and its continuous need to strengthen the technical capacity of COS and JO employees. By equipping them with skills through the Expanded Basic Agricultural Extension Course (EBAEC) and training on commodity production technologies, the Department will establish a pool of technically proficient personnel who can directly support farmers in improving productivity and income.
As a preliminary to the EBAEC, COS/JO personnel participated in a three-day online orientation on the programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies.
The following programs and services were discussed by DA RFO 8: Rice, Corn, HVCDP, NUPAP, Livestock, OA, RSBSA, AMIA, DRRM, PAFFP, Fuel Subsidy, SAAD, F2C2, Sagip Saka, ACEDD, AMAD, Regulatory, Research, RAED, and RCPC.
Meanwhile, the following agencies shared their programs and services: ATI, BFAR, PhilFIDA, BAI, NMIS, BPI NSQCS, NFA, FPA, PCA, NDA, PhilMech, ACPC, and PCIC.
A special topic on e-Extension was also discussed with emphasis on e-Learning, where participants were encouraged to enroll in the e-Courses on Community Organizing and Training Management while awaiting the final schedule for EBAEC.
To accommodate the committed number of personnel, there will be three (3) batches of EBAEC in Region 8 with 30-35 participants per batch to be conducted in July, August, and September 2026.
Upon completion of the training program, the COS/JO personnel will be strategically deployed across the municipalities in the region.
Ms. Bethzaida Genesis Girang - Molon, one of the participants, shared that she gained a deeper understanding of the Department of Agriculture’s various programs and projects, and expressed: “Through the orientation, I became more familiar with their objectives, target beneficiaries, and implementation strategies, which helped me appreciate the department’s role in supporting farmers, fisherfolk, and rural communities. It also broadened my knowledge of the different services and opportunities available under the DA, making the orientation both informative and meaningful for my professional growth.”
A total of 82 COS personnel from the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 8 completed the Orientation of DA and its attached agencies' Programs and Projects on May 11-14, 2026, online via Zoom.
This effort underscores the DA’s commitment to strengthening the extension workforce, ensuring that farmers and fisherfolk across the country receive high-quality services.(With reports from Gizell Jill D. Nuñez)
