Villasis is new RACG coordinator

By Deodith Grace Honrado-Baticbatic

RACG Staff

Salvacion “Sally” R. Villasis, the Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) Representative of Aklan State University (ASU) was selected by the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) as the new RACG Coordinator of WESVARRDEC effective January 1, 2012 until December 31, 2013. The selection was done during the 4^th quarter meeting of the RRDCC last December 5, 2011 at Iloilo State College of Fisheries, Dingle Campus, Iloilo.

Aside from being the RACG Coordinator, Villasis serves the Aklan State University in various capacities. This includes being the Agricultural Technician II of the Extension and Community Services Departments. She is also the In-Charge of Media Relations of ASU and Station Manager of DYMT – FM, a community radio based in ASU.

Villasis earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Agricultural Economics from ASU and is the only Aklanon who was awarded First Prize in the Radio News Feature Award of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas and the Free Voice of the Netherlands in 2007.

Villasis was also awarded as Best Performing Information Officer by the Presidential Commission on Communications Operation – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) VI for 2010 and 2011.  In May 26, 2011, she was named Outstanding RACG Representative by WESVARRDEC during its First Regional Techno Gabay Summit and TechnoMart held at the Amigo Plaza Mall, Iloilo City.

As her work and achievements imply, she is a woman with dedication to service.  With her exemplary performance in providing purposive and effective applied communication strategies to bring Science and Technology information to various clients in the region, she is ready to serve the consortium better.

MS Peñalosa’s Field Day showcases improved swine production

By Jethro Dagunan

Representative, Regional Applied Communications Group

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

MS Peñalosa briefs beneficiaries on his technologies
in his own farm in Victorias City.

 “I am not just a farmer; I am an agri-preneur,” quipped Ramon Peñalosa, Jr., Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during his Field Day on Improved Housing and Swine Fattening held on January 25, 2012 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Peñalosa’s Field Day showcased his success on improved housing for swine fattening and the successful transfer of said technology to 22 farmer beneficiaries in his locality. Just a small area situated within the city, Peñalosa’s farm showcases improved organic farming practices, which are profitable and environment-friendly.

Featuring the graduation rites of the beneficiaries, the Field Day was witnessed by barangay and city officials including Councilor Melvin Ybañez of Victorias City, Escalante FITS Center Manager Ferdinand Alico and farmers’ groups from Manapla, Negros Occidental, among others. The showcase was also witnessed by interested non-government organizations and private individuals.

RTTP Coordinator
Reynaldo Dusaran of CPU

Representing WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Idemne, Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Regional Techno Transfer and Promotion (RTTP) Coordinator, echoed MS Peñalosa’s slogan, “There is no unproductive farm; only unproductive farmer,” which encourages farmers to practice and thereby benefit from the effectiveness of the farmer scientist’s agricultural practices.

In response, a farmer beneficiary said that they appreciate Peñalosa’s innovations because aside from the absence of antibiotics and growth hormones, Peñalosa’s swine also has unique meat quality and less fat. This is so because as part of Peñalosa’s improved housing for swine, the pig pens are designed particularly so that swine manure is systematically converted to vermicast. Considered an excellent organic fertilizer, vermi manure allows for improved swine production and additional profit.

And under the Science and Technology-Based Farm (STBF) granted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Peñalosa uses the probiotics, a series of technologies which promotes organic swine fattening. These practices are consistent with the Organic Negros campaign of the province.

According to another beneficiary, MS Peñalosa did not only inspire the farmers to replicate his technology; his detailed lectures on his technology also prove that they are doable and profitable.

MS Ramon Peñalosa's probiotic swine

Among others, MS Peñalosa stressed the sustainability of a farming venture can be brought about by the farmer’s entrepreneurial spirit. For Peñalosa, a farmer must possess agripreneurial spirit—he while is passionate in his farming, he must also have an enterprising attitude to maximize the opportunities in his farm. Put simply, Peñalosa said that he must make real money from his hard work, just like the farmer scientist himself.

Aside from the certificate of completion, the farmer beneficiaries were given piglets and were taken to sign the Marketing Agreement with MS Peñalosa. Under the arrangement, farmer beneficiaries will also be provided feeds, probiotics, Natural Food Supplement (NFS) and others input to help them start becoming agripreneurs. Farmers will pay back through selling their produce to MS Peñalosa. For their part, the barangay and other local officials were requested to help monitor the progress of the said beneficiaries.

Facilitators and participants during the Field Day of MS Ramon Peñalosa, Jr.

Lending Hands to People, Enriching their Communities

The 2011 Accomplishments Highlights 
of the Capiz State University (CapSU) Techno Gabay Team

By Eduardo Navarra, Team Leader and Niño Manaog, University Extension Associate; with reports from FITS Centers based in Dao, Dumalag, Ivisan, Jamindan, OPA Roxas, Panay, President Roxas, all of Capiz

The Techno Gabay (TG) of the Capiz State University has been very busy in 2011, conducting activities and helping implement programs that benefit the farmers and other clients, while being able to coordinate with fellow stakeholders and partners. The year’s accomplishments consisted of numerous skills and livelihood trainings, documentation assistance to varied groups, attendance in capability building initiatives and coordination activities and representations.

Representation and Coordination Activities

For the period in review, Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra represented CapSU as partner member agency and initiated various coordination activities. On January 21, Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra met with the managers of the seven FITS Centers including the newly established in 2010. At the OPA Capiz FITS Center in Roxas City, Navarra, along with Regional Techno Gabay (RTG) Coordinator Anna Mae Relingo, briefed the participants on the Techno Pinoy program of WESVARRDEC and PCAARRD. The PMA issued PCAARRD materials to FITS Centers.

Then on separate dates in February, Navarra visited and monitored the FITS Centers in his jurisdiction, particularly the Dumalag FITS Center and the Dao FITS Center. In various instances, and through text messages or mobile phone calls made with the FITS managers or personnel, Navarra updated and followed up their activities.

Then on March 23, CapSU again met with the FITS Center managers and personnel at the Dumalag FITS Center, Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz. Six managers attended and some of them were joined by their Information Service Specialists or Technology Service Specialists (TSS). In Dumalag, Navarra stressed that the FITS centers’ personnel must make use of their logbook to record all activities being done in their offices and stations. Navarra said that these will be the basis of collating and consolidating their accomplishment report at the end of each year. Participants were also briefed on the details on WESVARRDEC’s upcoming Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart to be held in Iloilo City in May. In turn, the FITS managers updated the PMA on their plans, projects and activities.

In April, TG Team Leader Eduardo Navarra again led FITS Centers Visits and Monitoring, particularly Dao FITS Center where the organic agriculture promotion was widely bannered. The TG team also made coordination with all its FITS Centers for the first Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart of WESVARRDEC. To facilitate the FITS Centers participation in the summit, TG TL Eduardo Navarra asked the managers to prepare their commodities for exhibit at the summit while University Extension Associate Nino Manaog prepared the tarpaulins for display. Then, to prepare for the Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart Meeting, Eduardo Navarra and Nino Manaog met with the WESVARRDEC RTG at the UP Visayas Kitchenette, Iloilo City. In the same day, Navarra joined the Public Consultative Meeting on the Selection of Nominees for National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) at the Hotel in Reclamation Area, Bacolod City. Taking part in this consultation served as exposure for the said personnel to collaborate with the national organic groups such as NOAB.

On May 25–26, the CapSU team joined fellow PMAs from the region to stage the first ever Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) at the Amigo Plaza Mall, Iznart St. in Iloilo City. Led by Dr. Raul Ticar, and featuring the products of all seven FITS Centers from the province of Capiz, CapSU brought FITS Centers sample products and focus commodities including coco shell products, vermicast, abaca and engineered bamboo materials. Then, the Dumalag FITS Center was conferred the Best FITS Center Award for the region in 2011.

Based on the citation, FITS Dumalag scored high in organization and management, delivery of FITS Center Services, maintenance of minimum requirements, and resource generation and linkages, four criteria announced by WESVARRDEC.

Led by FITS Manager Ronelyn De Tomas, the Dumalag FITS Center—joined by its personnel including Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Randy Fancubila and CapSU TG Team Leader Eduardo Navarra—received a plaque of recognition and cash prize from UP Visayas Chancellor Minda Formacion, chair of the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Committee (RRDCC), WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne and Dr. Arturo Argañosa, officer-in-charge of Technology Outreach Promotion Division (TOPD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

According to its 2010 Annual Report, the proactive leadership of Dumalag FITS Manager Ronelyn de Tomas fully supported by the staff and the dynamic involvement of MS Randy Fancubila helped provide varied technical and agricultural services to some 3,500 farmers for the past year.

Since October 2010, the activities of the Capiz State University (CapSU) Extension Institute have also been featured on thecapsumonitor.blogspot.com, a web log mechanism started by University Extension Associate Nino Manaog. Since its inception, the blogsite has been promoting the activities of the Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) of the University.

In early 2010, articles about the TG efforts published on this website caught the attention of Marissa Tuazon, coordinator for Western Visayas of Pakisama, or Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahang Masasaka based in Mambusao, Capiz to partner with CapSU. Tuazon eventually met with Mr. Navarra and brought the Mambusao farmers groups representing four barangays. Pakisama requested Navarra’s technical assistance on organic farming practices, while Manaog agreed to assist them in documenting their actvities. In April, Manaog joined the Pakisama’s study tour of muscovado processing plants in Antique and had a feature story published on Panay News.

On July 14, 2011, the two groups facilitated the meeting of President Magallanes and Pakisama Operations Manager Felix Zamar at the President’s Office in CapSU Central in Roxas City. The meeting allowed for the two key officials to work on future partnerships for their target clienteles.

In the succeeding months, TG TL Eduardo Navarra continued the visits to FITS centers and also attended important WESVARRDEC meetings. On September 6, CapSU also attended the 3rd Quarter Meeting Techno Gabay Group, West Visayas State University, Iloilo City. On September 16, CapSU joined the Dao FITS Center personnel and Dao LGU officials as they launched the Dao Farmers Day Celebration in Poblacion, Dao, Capiz.

During the program, Navarra introduced MS Ramon Peñalosa, Jr. of the OPA Negros Occidental FITS Center to the farmers, taking pride in the concerted efforts for the establishment of the said FITS Center. Navarra also facilitated the travel of RACG Coordinator Cora Navarra in her attendance to the WESVARRDEC meetings at the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic College in Estancia, Iloilo in September and at the Iloilo State College of Fisheries in Dingle, Iloilo in December.

Documentation Activities

Across the year, CapSU extended documentation assistance to several groups and partners for their reporting purposes. In March, the CapSU PMA Team led the Annual Report Writeshop for the Dumalag FITS Center and Jamindan FITS Center personnel at the Extension Institute in Poblacion, Mambusao, Capiz. Practically, the team assisted the FITS Centers in the actual writing of their Accomplishment Reports needed for the CapSU and WESVARRDEC reports.

In March, the TG Team led a visit to the farm of Igmedio Llamelo, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Jamindan FITS Center in barangay Esperanza, Jamindan, Capiz. Manaog documented abaca nursery and propagation practices of MS Igmedio Llamelo of Jamindan FITS Center. The documented outputs were then used for CapSU's Annual Accomplishment Report.

In separate dates in April, the CapSU TG Team likewise helped the Dumalag FITS Center in the preparation and packaging of their documents needed in the WESVARRDEC's Search for Best FITS Center in 2011. University Extension Associate Nino Manaog worked with the Dumalag FITS Center personnel to consolidate and package all pertinent documents of the FITS Center for submission to the said regional selection.

In December, CapSU likewise covered the launching of the Bibal Integrated Farm and Tilapia Hatchery Training Center in barangay Magubilan, Panay, Capiz. The event was witnessed by Panay FITS Center personnel Director Larry Nacionales, LGU officials and Capiz local media. Along with other Capiz media, Manaog covered the launching event and featured former WESVARRDEC MS Rodolfo Bibal on Panay News.

Located in the middle of Bibal’s farm, the training center can accommodate some 200 persons at one time. The area also has a central view of the farm production where Bibal’s farming practices can be exhibited. In the near future, the center will also feature dormitory accommodations for farm tourists. Bibal is one of the proprietors of a sprawling 7.5 hectares of land where he grows rice and vegetables and raises tilapia and sizably profits from them. In these areas, Bibal practices intercropping, planting banana, ginger, alugbati, papaya, kalamansi, ampalaya, pepper, eggplant and string beans to maximize whatever area is left available.

Currently employing some 15 farmhands assigned to the fish ponds, vegetable plots and rice fields, Bibal’s integrated farm is one profitable venture. According to Juanito Hecita, Jr., manager of the Panay FITS Center, Mr. Rodolfo Bibal is likely to be identified as the official Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) for the FITS Center, once the selection for MS is in place.

On December 7–8, CapSU Extension Institute led by Dr. Raul Ticar joined the RTGP and RACG Joint 4th Quarter Meeting and Annual Report Writeshop in Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan.  There, Eduardo Navarra was joined by Bernie Protacio, information services specialist of Dumalag FITS Center, Carlos Vipinosa, technology services specialist of Jamindan FITS Center and Susan Dordas, manager of Dao FITS Center. The team presented their TG annual accomplishment reports to WESVARRDEC and also collated FITS Centers’ annual report documents needed for the 2011 Annual Accomplishment Report.

Toward the end of the year, CapSU helped the President Roxas FITS Center and the Panay FITS Center in gathering, sorting, writing and packaging their 2011 Accomplishment Reports. Manaog also facilitated the publication of the same output on the CapSU website and Panay News. 

Agricultural and Technical Services

On April 25–29, under the Dao Organic Agriculture Program (DOAP), CapSU worked with the Dao FITS Center in the conduct of organic lecture sessions to some 120 farmers from barangays Quinabcaban, Ilas Sur, Agtangway and Quinayuya. 

In May, the concerted efforts for some 500 farmers coming from barangays Nasunugan, Centro, Daplas, Lacaron, Poblacion, Mapulang Bato, Bita, Aganan, Duyoc, Matagnop. Navarra helped the Dao FITS Center in conducting organic lecture sessions and also facilitated actual demonstration of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) and fertilizers preparations.

Then, on June 28, Navarra led a training lecture on organic farming and vegetable production to some 20 farmers representing barangays Ondoy, Matnog, Sta. Cruz, Ilaya and Basiao, all of Ivisan town in Capiz. Held at the Ivisan FITS Center in Poblacion, Ivisan, Capiz, the livelihood training formed part of the two-day Vegetable Production and Post-Harvest Handling Training led by Municipal Agriculturist Letecia Andrada and Agricultural Technologist Giovannie Lawag. Among others, Navarra briefed the participants on the disadvantages of commercial modern farming and stressed on the advantages of organic farming, stressing on how to best equip and protect the soil for quality production.

On July 14, 2011, Training Coordinator Navarra and University Extension Associate Manaog joined the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (Pakisama) to conduct a livelihood skills training on organic farming and natural farming practices to some 20 farmers of Pinay, Mambusao, Capiz at the Pinay Barangay Hall in Pinay, Mambusao, Capiz. Ms. Marissa Tuazon, Pakisama’s provincial coordinator for Capiz, along with Mr. Navarra, led the members of the Pinay Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (PFMPC) in preparing IMO concoctions which can be used as foliar fertilizers for their farms. Pinay Barangay Captain Bernardo Ponce and PFMPC President Reynaldo Cerelo also assisted their group in making the concoctions. Working in groups, the farmers sourced the locally available materials from the barangay and took part in preparing Fermented Plant Juice, Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) and Fish Amino Acid (FAA).

Since January 2010, CapSU has been extending its consultancy services to Tumalalud National High School students on vermiculture. Eduardo Navarra coordinated with Loreli Legada, research adviser of the Mambusao National High School in Tumalalud, Mambusao, Capiz on the conduct of her students’ research on producing vermicast. Navarra facilitated the preparation and production of vermiculture for students’ learning. Three seniors undertook the project which later won a regional award in a research competition sponsored by the Department of Education Region 6 in December.

In the first Regional Science and Technology Fair sponsored by the Regional Office of the Department of Education (DepEd) on October 15–16, 2011 in Iloilo City, the study titled “Growth of African Nightcrawlers and the Macronutrient Content and pH of Their Vermicompost Using Various Substrates” undertaken by Jayson Gula, Irene Francisco and Mark Stephen Guion, was named the Best Presenter Award and won First Place in the Cluster 2-SSC, Type B, Life Science Team Category. The award-winning study won over eight entries from across Western Visayas. The young researchers were assisted by Ms. Loreli Legada, Research Adviser and Mr. Rolando Ricardo, Jr., school principal.

To empower farmers by way of advocacy—this was the essence of the assistance extended by selected personnel of the Capiz State University (CapSU) during the Advocacy Training and Planning Workshop led by the Plan International (Plan) in cooperation with the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) held on August 1–3, 2011 at the Lawaan Garden Inn in Lawaan, Roxas City. The workshop convened some 20 participants composed of agricultural technicians and members of three farmer’s organizations representing three towns of Capiz, namely: the Maayon Community-based Agricultural Development Organization (MCBADO); the United Men and Women for Agricultural and Fishery Development (UMWAD) Pilar; and the Pontevedra Fishers and Farmers Development Organization, Inc. (PFiFaDO).

The Plan International and PhilDHRRA officers were assisted by CapSU personnel including Engr. Corazon Ditarro and Engr. Marty Delfin of CapSU Pontevedra’s agricultural engineering department and University Extension Associate Manaog. And on August 25–26, CapSU joined the same farmers groups organized by Plan International and PHilDHRRA—MCBADO, UMWAD Pilar and PFiFaDO—in their study tour of vermicomposting sites in Panit-an and Panay, Capiz. There, Navarra lectured on organics and also promoted the FITS Center, WESVARRDEC & PCAARD.

On November 9, a Livelihood Training on Bangus Deboning was held in Quiajo Barangay Hall, President Roxas, Capiz. Through the efforts of the President Roxas FITS Center personnel, Navarra met with Mayor Raymund Locsin and the barangay officials and women’s groups and established contacts there.

On October 28, 2011, TSS Ulysses Bendicio of the President Roxas FITS Center led the coconut toddy sugar production in barangay Pondol of the said town. In coordination with TG Team Leader Navarra, the initiative benefited some 30 constituents of the barangay including housewives and farmers.

On November 15–16, 2011, the President Roxas FITS Center hosted a two-day training cum study tour on Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) in Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz.

Some 25 upland farmers from the barangays of Goce, Manoling, Badiangon, Carmencita and Bayuyan took advantage of the expertise of Benito Labindao, Agriculturist II and Lilia Peñaranda, chief of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Hillyland Development based in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz.

On November 21–23, Navarra promoted the FITS Center and the advocacies of WESVARRDEC to some 50 farmers and agricultural workers during the Farmers Field School-Palaycheck Agro Ecosystems Analysis (AESA) of the Panay FITS Center in Poblacion, Tico, Tanza Sur, all barangays of Panay, Capiz. The initiative was a collaboration of the Panay FITS Center personnel, PhilRice and agri-commercial company personnel.

On December 19, Navarra served as resource speaker during the Organic Agriculture lecture seminar sponsored by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region 6 held at the Maribert Resort in Lantangan, Pontevedra, Capiz. In the seminar, ATI regional personnel and Capiz farmers were taught on vegetables diseases and organic farming. On December 21–22, Navarra also helped President Roxas FITS Center in their conduct of the Vegetable Production Seminar at the Maribert Resort, Lantangan, Pontevedra, Capiz. There, CapSU promoted the FITS Center modality and WESVARRDEC and also led the preparation of IMOs and foliar fertilizers with 25 farmers and teachers.

Capability Building Activities

On August 3–5, 2011, CapSU’s Eduardo Navarra joined the 9th National Vegetable Congress sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and the National Vegetable Growers Association of the Philippines at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City.

Navarra networked with the FITS Center personnel who also joined the congress and led the group to see the farm of Greenbase owned by Alex Amor. Besides joining the activities of the national agricultural program, Navarra’s exposure gave valuable insights on organic farming from various exposures to the commercially owned demo farms featuring their best practices. In turn, Navarra shares them to his subsequent audience farmers.

On October 4–8, 2011, Eduardo Navarra joined the 2011 Agri Link at the World Trade Center in Manila. To learn other best practices around the country and the world, Navarra maximized the opportunity by attending lectures such as the one on malunggay production and also sought to learn the new trends and updates in organic farming production. Besides collecting various IEC materials, particularly on organic farming practices, Navarra also networked with various agriculture and extension workers who joined the national agri fair.

Achievements, tributes close WESVARRDEC's 2011

By Niño Manaog, Capiz State University

and Sally Villasis, Aklan State University

In the Regional Techno Gabay Program (RTGP)-Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) 4th Quarter Meetings and Annual Report Writeshop held on December 7–8, 2011 at the Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga, Aklan, members of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) capped 2011 by way of heartfelt tributes and presentations of achievements in the various endeavors of its members.

WESVARRDEC "rebounds" up the PCAARRD list

Before some 120 consortium members composed of partner member agencies (PMA) representatives, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) and personnel of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers, WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne took pride in announcing the overall rank of the consortium for the Ugnay 2012, a biannual selection of the best consortia across the country by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

For the period in review, WESVARRDEC posted 90.85%, ranking sixth among all the consortia nationwide. According to Idemne, since 2007, WESVARRDEC has performed consistently well in the R&D management and utilization, which is attributed to the cooperation and active participation fostered between and among the consortium member agencies. Idemne credited the accomplishment to the full support of the partner member agencies to the activities of the Techno Gabay members, particularly the MSs and the FITS Centers from across the region.

Highlights of the gathering were the tribute to the two outgoing coordinators of WESVARRDEC, namely: ASU’s Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, RTGP Coordinator and Capiz State University’s Dr. Cora F. Navarra, RACG Coordinator.

In the December 7 Fellowship Night at the ASU Review Center led by RTGP Staff Nicolas Banquero and Administrative Officer Suzette Peñaredondo, Dr. Relingo and Dr. Navarra were hosted to a night of speeches, songs and revelry.

“A Mother to Us”

An emotional letter from RACG Representative Vishia Mae Tolcidas of FITS OPA Negros Occidental who is now based in the United States was read by fellow representative Helen Bignayan of the Bureau of Plant Industry - National Mango Research and Development Center (BPI-NMRDC). For Tolcidas, she virtually has not left WESVARRDEC; her learnings from working with Navarra and the RACG will remain with her. Her skills gained and her performance only made her a better person, a sentiment likewise shared by Judy Bulquiren, manager of FITS OPA Guimaras.

Meanwhile, former RACG Staff Nino Manaog, who worked with Navarra for two years, also shared how Dr. Navarra drew out his potentials and those of other RACG members and inspired in them the passion to serve the consortium.

In a speech, MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of FITS OPA Guimaras shared on her commercial success in the mango processing industry and credits it to the collective efforts of the consortium. Tubongbanua cited Navarra’s “motherly” efforts to help her promote the mango processed technology and products in various means and instances. According to Tubongbanua, the published materials, press releases and the various exposures that WESVARRDEC has facilitated for her have all contributed to “what she is now,” a successful mango processor reaping awards here and there and enjoying a profitable business that also provides livelihood to women in the countryside.

In response, Navarra expressed gratefulness to the opportunity offered by the RACG for her personal and professional growth. She also singled out that consortium work is indeed a personal commitment insofar as it is not about finding the faults in other people’s work” but rather drawing out the strengths of the members that can best serve the consortium and the the rest of the community. Likewise, Navarra stressed on placing importance on the service to the target clientele which she considers the essence of consortium work.

Growth and Learning in WESVARRDEC

After RTGP Staff Nick Banquero shared on the years of activities and learnings with the RTGP, Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, TG Team Leader of the Central Philippine University and Rhodora Lapastora of the West Visayas State University also paid tribute to Dr. Anna Mae Relingo.

According to Dusaran, the Techno Gabay achievement has been notable because of the active participation and leadership of Dr. Relingo. Lapastora likewise cited how the partner member agencies are made aware of their responsibilities for the Techno Gabay interventions to the FITS Centers. For her part, Dr. Clyde Abayon, TG team leader of ASU, shared to the audience "Christ's Bell," a poem given to her by Dr. Relingo, few years back.

Meanwhile, MS Norberto Ceballos of Maasin FITS Center also expressed his gratitude to the WESVARRDEC’s interventions through which he was granted two Science and Technology Based-Farms (STBF) projects by PCAARRD. For Ceballos, these projects have benefited not only himself but also a big number of constituents in the said locality.

For her part, Relingo imparted on her growth and achievement for four years in her capacity as the RTG coordinator. During the time, Relingo said her learnings are invaluable as she was taught a number of lessons and was inspired by most members of the consortium who continue to do their work for the service of the community.

After the speeches and special numbers, the WESVARRDEC staff also rendered a heartwarming song number for the two honorees. The fellowship night also featured group games, videoke singing contests and prizes.

 Showcase of Products

Prizes given to winners consisted of products donated by a number of FITS Centers from across Western Visayas. These items included the mango processed products of MS Rebecca Tubongbanua from Guimaras and ginger ale powder from Libertad in Antique. Other prizes given included vermicast and vegetables from Numancia; bariw products from Nabas; coconut food products from Ibajay; puto tostado and vegetables from Altavas, all of Aklan; and balut from Lemery in Iloilo; pineapple wine from Passi City; and bamboo charcoal and bamboo products from Maasin, all from Iloilo.

Activities become accomplishments

CapSU Techno Gabay team hosts yearend meeting

By Niño Manaog
University Extension Associate
Capiz State University

To monitor and update its member Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers on its accomplishments, the Capiz State University (CapSU) Techno Gabay (TG) Team led by Mr. Eduardo Navarra, university extension specialist, hosted the Fourth Quarter Meeting on November 29, 2011 at the Asis Food Court in Banica, Roxas City.

Among other agenda, the meeting featured the success story of Dumalag FITS Center which was named Best FITS Center by WESVARRDEC during its first Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart in May this year in Iloilo City.

Managers and representatives of FITS centers also reported and updated CapSU, the partner member agency, on their activities and accomplishments. In the past year, the six FITS Centers represented engaged in a big number of activities to benefit their target clientele.

President Roxas, Capiz farmers learn how to make use
of the A-frame to locate their contour lines.
CapSU and President Roxas FITS Center personnel
led the group of farmers on SALT and also provided techniques
that determine its importance to prevent soil erosion
in the upland farms.

Before the end of the year, the President Roxas FITS Center led by Mr. Leonardo Barcenas will lead the distribution of fish fingerlings and corn seeds to farmers, among other so many activities. Recently it led the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) training to upland farmers. In the same period, the Panay FITS Center led by Mr. Juanito Hecita, Jr. will undertake livestock distribution to farmers and participate in the Product Exhibit for the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival 2011.

Mr. Audie Belargo, manager of OPA Capiz FITS Center said that his office has compiled agriculture-related articles from national newspapers and publications which will soon be ready for access next year. Belargo reported that the OPA Capiz FITS Center has also helped high school students in the province in the plant identification for their Science Researches. Belargo likewise said that a library system in the FITS Center itself is in the works, which will feature an agri-fisheries database or directory, among others.

Ms. Remedios Llamelo, manager of Jamindan FITS Center, reported that Jamindan has also been busy the whole year with its regular activities for the farmers. Among others, Jamindan FITS Center conducted Palaycheck capability building trainings to barangays Pangabuan, Pasal-o, Lucero and Aglibacao. It also led Location-Specific Technology Development (LSTD) on lowland rice varieties.

Through the FITS Center facilities, they were also able to facilitate the assistance of farmers in the purchase of their abaca courms in coordination with FIDA. Llamelo’s office also helped distribute some 60,000 seeds of crops and vegetables for farmers representing 30 barangays.

According to Mr. Bernie Protacio, information services specialist of the Dumalag FITS Center, they have graduated some 50 farmers from the Farmers Field School (FFS) in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Also, activities to sustain the engineered bamboo initiatives for Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Randy Fancubila and his cooperative are also periodically held in linkage with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Capiz.

Mr. Ramon Penalosa, Jr., farmer scientist
of WESVARRDEC, shares his key
technologies to the farmers of Dao, Capiz.
The efforts to bring his expertise
to this part of the province was led by
Dao FITS Manager Susan Dordas (behind Penalosa),
a staunch advocate of organic farming.

Susan Dordas, manager of Dao FITS Center, made a comprehensive report on the town’s Organic Agriculture Program widely bannered and supported by the local government of Dao, Capiz. Dordas reported that within the year, the municipality successfully passed an ordinance advocating organic agriculture for the locality.

The program has also set in place government priorities leading to the promotion and enhancement of organic farming practices, starting with the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) being produced by its technology services specialist and a number of farmers. Dao has also requested and was recently granted by the Department of Agriculture equipment and infrastructure needed to sustain the said program.In the September Farmers Congress, Dao featured the technologies of MS Ramon Penalosa, Jr. of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

In the same meeting, CapSU Chief Accountant Oliva Bataan led the member FITS Centers in learning the nitty-gritty of making budget and financial reports. According to Bataan, budgeting is crucial especially when officials are spending the government funds.

Bataan taught the participants on how to best maximize and realize the budget given to them by Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) or any other funding institutions.

CapSU Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra
(seated, center, in white shirt) regularly coordinates
with the personnel of Dumalag FITS Center
led by Manager Ronelyn De Tomas (seated, far left)
in its activities and projects. The partnership has
afforded a number of major achievements,
including Dumalag's Best FITS Center award
conferred by WESVARRDEC in May 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cora Navarra, outgoing Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) coordinator for the WESVARRDEC, briefed the participants on how the FITS Centers can maximize the opportunity with the consortium. Navarra encouraged them to promote and publicize their activities as they can help promote technologies in multifarious ways—using various media available nowadays including the print media and the internet.

According to Navarra, advocating the technologies in their respective localities this way helps promote and advance not only the indigenous technologies of the municipalities but also the thrusts and purposes of WESVARRDEC and PCAARRD.

Making Strips, Weaving Lives

Hard Work and Success according to MS Nonito Ignacio, Bariw Producer

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

Bariw has made life a challenge for Nonito Ignacio, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Nabas FITS Center in Aklan.

In 1992, this native of barangay Nagustan, Nabas, Aklan was only 20 years old when he started producing bariw. Then, Aklan was producing and processing bariw into novelty products and items for tourists and even for export.

At the time, MS Ignacio was amazed because Aklan was gaining worldwide attention for its craftsmanship in bariw. This encouraged him to plant and produce bariw fiber in his own capacity. From that time on, bariw has always been a lucrative means of livelihood for MS Ignacio.

Now a supplier of fiber for the bariw processors for almost 20 years, MS Ignacio has always made sure that his marketing strategies are in place. His bariw fiber stocks are available at their home to meet the demands of the processors in his area.

Enthusiastic and personable, MS Ignacio was chosen MS by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) for the Nabas FITS Center in Nabas, Aklan through the coordination of Aklan State University (ASU), its partner member agency.

Planting and Growing Bariw

MS Ignacio starts bariw production with clearing the area needed for planting the palms. From the forest, he collects bariw seedlings with 5 to 10 leaves each. For each hill, he digs a hole 6 inches deep and allows 3-meter distance between the hills. Next, he clears and fences the surrounding area of each hill to protect them from stray animals. He then proceeds with mulching using cut grasses.

Harvesting Bariw

MS Ignacio harvests leaves from bariw plants aged 2 ½ to 3 years. In harvesting bariw leaves, known as pagsasa(Aklanon or Akeanon term), he begins by cleaning the bariw palms. He cuts from the bariw trunks only the long and mature leaves. To cut the leaves far from reach, MS Ignacio either climbs the palms or uses a scythe fixed at the end of a bamboo or wooden pole to reach them. Then he gathers the cut leaves, and collects 32 pieces to form one bundle. A sleeping mat, for one, can be made from 7 bundles with 32 bariw leaves each.

Stripping

MS Ignacio then proceeds to pagriras, or the removal of thorns and midribs. He removes both the thorns at the edge of leaves and separates the midrib or the hard portion of the leaf. One bundle cut into halves will therefore produce 64 pieces. By this time, the bariw leaves are now ready for hanging and drying.

Drying

MS Ignacio is now ready for paglamayo ag pagbuead, or drying the leaves, which involves two steps. First, he dries the leaves for three days by hanging them outdoor making sure they are not directly exposed to sunlight. This allows for the gradual removal of moisture from the leaves. Second, he dries the leaves to dry under the sun for a day or two, after thorns are removed from them. If thorns are not removed, bariw leaves will be crumpled which makes the production (smoothening and softening included) of a pale fiber material difficult.

Smoothening and Softening

After which, MS Ignacio proceeds to pagbaebae, or softening the leaves. Dried bariw leaves are normally rigid and would thus need to be smooth and soft so they can be woven. To produce smooth texture, he starts pressing(pagpaepag), using a club (bowling pin-shaped wood) or a solid flat stone or wood. He lays the dried leaves on the stone or wood and pounds them by a wooden club. When they are softened, he presses using his bare fingers and palms (known as paghilad) one leaf at a time to flatten them, doing this repeatedly until he attains the desired softness.

MS Ignacio says that it is best for “two persons to soften the leaves, it produces a peculiar rhythm, just like the beat of the drum.” The working partners usually proceed with paghilad four times, after which the bariw fiber is then stored for 3 months. Only by then will the fiber is ready for processing.

In an ordinary day, MS Ignacio makes a maximum of 200 bundles of bariw at P4 per roll, which earns him P800. His thrice a week production (12 times for four weeks) gives him P9,600. For the transport of bariw from the farm to his house where it is sold (approx. 2 km), he incurs P400 monthly (8 liters of gas at P50 per liter), which gives him a net income of P9,200.

MS Ignacio hopes to become a leading bariw producer in Aklan. “I hope Aklan becomes a major producer of quality bariw products. We have a great province. We should be proud of it,” he says.

The nitty-gritty of bariw production, however, is not the only trade for MS Ignacio. When he is not into bariw production, the hardworking farmer attends to his two hectares of land planted to rice and vegetables and where he also raises pigs and chickens. He also sidelines through the operation of a sari-sari store and coco lumber hauling in their barangay.

With all these skills, capacities and activities, MS Ignacio proves to be a hardworking farmer, who has been pounding his way to reach his goals for his wife and children. Today, working well and hard on a 3-hectare bariw farm, he enjoys the success that others can only dream of.

Though he has undergone many hardships and difficulties, MS Ignacio expresses optimism, saying “If we don’t look at things in a positive way, it will be extremely difficult for us to survive in any business, and in life.”