In support of developing innovative young farmers in the region and in preparation for the National 4-H Youth Convention, the Department of Agriculture through the Regional Training Center of the Agricultural Training Institute in the Cordillera Administrative Region conducted the 9th Regional 4-H Youth Camp on Capability Building and Skills Enhancement Training with the theme “RELIVE the 4-H in YOUth: Re-Energizing and Empowering 4-H Leaders in Valuable Agri-Fishery Engagement at Benguet Agri-Eco Park, Bulala, Bayabas, Sablan, Benguet on May 17-19, 2024.
The three-day activity started with the parade of colors joined by 68 delegates coming from the different provinces of Cordillera, staffs of DA-Regional Field Office-CAR (DA-RFO-CAR), DA-ATI-RTC-CAR, Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Sablan and Volunteer Leaders’ Association of the Philippines (VLAP) officers which were followed by the posting of the 4-H club emblem headed by Ms. Aida Pagtan and Ms. Gladys Aligo from DA-RFO-CAR for the Head; Mr. Cristino Balancio and Ms. Segundina Magatanao, VLAP Representatives for the Heart; Ms. Delinia Juan, Benguet Provincial Agriculturist for the Health and Mr. Jay-ar Barana, MLGU Sablan representative for the Hands. Hon. Alfredo Dacumos, Jr. Sablan Mayor, welcomed the delegates and showed his support through his speech that was warmly delivered by Mr. Barana, envisioning the convention to be a testament to the power of youth leaders and catalyst for meaningful change in the agri-fishery sector. Ms. Veronica Siloy, DA-ATI-RTC-CAR RBO Focal Person officially opened the activity, which was then followed by the inspirational message of support delivered by Ms. Pagtan, Ms. Juan, and Mr. Balancio centering their talk on the 4H club as a possible solution in addressing the problem of aging farmers.
Ms. Cristine Joy Crisologo, a former intern of the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan (FYFIPT) batch 2022 served as the keynote speaker. She shared her experience as a 4-H club member, an intern and currently as an entrepreneur. She also said that she is eager to share what she has learned and encouraged her fellow 4-H Club members to grab every opportunity that comes their way as these will benefit them in the future.
Different lectures on Transformational Leadership cum Group dynamics; Mental Health Awareness and Management; and Plant Propagation were also delivered by Mr. Balancio, former DA-ATI-RTC-CAR Senior Agriculturist and RBO Focal Person; Ms. Ylona Veronica Aben-Bayod, Registered Psychologist and; Mr. June Bayeng, Agricultural Technologist.
Different contest categories were also joined by the different provinces. The Regional Excellent Achievers’ Awards that recognizes and support the excellent works and contributions of the 4-H Clubs and its members across the region that uphold the four-fold development of the head, heart, hands, and health; the 4-H Agri-innovation Pitching which centers on addressing critical issues and concerns within the realms of the 4-H Club, Agriculture, and Fishery Sectors and encourages the participants to propose transformative solutions that elevate and revolutionize these sectors; the 4-H Agri-Tale Contest which is a video making contest featuring the real-life success stories of a 4-H Member; the 4-H Songcon: Duet which is a songwriting and singing contest; 4-H Trashformation which aims to create a design that focuses in promoting the 4H Club of the Philippines, its program and activities.
The candle lighting ceremony was also conducted on May 18, 2024, and was joined by the 4H Club Regional President, Mr. Ryan Palunan, the DA-ATI-RTC-CAR staff, Sablan MLGU, 4-H Club coordinators and the 4H club members.
Winners of the different contest categories were announced and awarded during the closing program on May 19, 2024. Mr. Charlie Sadugan, ATI-RTC-CAR Director also reiterated to the 4H Cub members during his closing message that they belong to the youth sector and it means that there is a lot of potential that awaits them so they must never waste opportunities and for the youth to practice more to sharpen the talent that they have. //Tiffanie Grace C. Beñgeg and Jomar T. Guerzon
