WESVARRDEC inks MOA with Panay News, ABS-CBN Iloilo

by RACG Staff Niño Manaog

To promote agricultural reseach and technology in the region, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) signed a memorandum of agreement with Panay News and ABS-CBN Iloilo on May 26, 2009 at the Emilion Function Hall and Restaurant in General Luna Street, Iloilo City.

The agreement was entered into by the three major stakeholders represented by Dr. Minda J. Formacion, UP Visayas Chancellor, WESVARRDEC Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) Chairperson; David Dan Elijah Fajardo, Panay News Chief Executive Officer (CEO); and Charie Ginete-Ilon, ABS CBN Station Manager.

Witnessed by WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, Dr. Melvin Carlos of PCARRD's national program manager, and two representatives from DA-BAR national office, the symbolic pact was facilitated by the office of the RACO Coordinator Dr. Cora F. Navarra of Capiz State University (CapSU).

According to WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, the partnership allows for the promotion and coverage of WESVARRDEC activities and programs by both print and broadcast media. “With our media partnerships, we hope to disseminate technology in the countryside and promote research results to the farmers and entrepreneurs. We want them to know that agriculture is alive in the countryside,” Idemne said.

According to RACO Coordinator Cora Navarra, we promote technology through trainings and information caravan. With our media partners, we may be able to promote science and technology more effectively. “There are many good agricultural technologies in our communities, and we hope that these will be replicated in other areas,” Navarra said.

Antique’s 8th FITS center launched in Hamtic

By Arlene Edna La Vega
RACG Representative
OPA Antique

The long wait is over.

The Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Hamtic, Antique was finally launched on June 10, 2009. Becoming the eighth center in the province, FITS Hamtic now belongs with Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Sibalom, Barbaza, Pandan, Libertad and the Antique Provincial FITS.

Witnessing the launch were guests from Aklan State University (ASU) headed by Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator Anna Mae Relingo; Consortium Director of the Western Visayas Agricultural Resource Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) Prof. Joseph Idemne and staff; Polytechnic State College of Antique (PSCA) President Victor Navarra and staff, Mr. Nicolasito S. Calawag, provincial agriculturist; Hon. Julius Ll. Pacificador, mayor of Hamtic; and Noel Seguerra, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member for agriculture.

The event included an opening program, signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA), ribbon-cutting, unveiling of FITS billboard and blessing of the FITS Center—all events witnessed by the farmers from different barangays of Hamtic.

Welcoming the guests and participants, Mayor Julius Pacificador said that the launching of the FITS Center is a great event in Hamtic because it will greatly help the farmers and fisher folks. Pacificador said that together with the Sangguniang Bayan Members they will strongly support the program to make it successful.

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo recognized the efforts of the staff of the Antique Provincial FITS Center and the PSCA as the Partner-Member Agency (PMA) who take the lead in the realization of the FITS establishment in Hamtic.

Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO) Merla Manabat presented three farmers who are prospect for evaluation as Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) for Hamtic. Herminia Buenabiles was identified for banana chips while Orlando Nolada and Manuel Matandac were singled out for rice and diversified farming.

SB Member Noel Seguerra also said, “The newly launched FITS Center will serve as a venue wherein the farmers, fisher folks and other clients could benefit from the IEC materials that the center provided.”

PSCA President Navarra thanked the Municipality of Hamtic for hosting the FITS Center in Antique. He said that the launching of Hamtic FITS Center is another effort to strengthen linkages & extension programs in the province and the region.

PSF meets with WV PCARRD scholars

On May 28, 2009, PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, along with Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Jocelyn Eusebio, led the first regional meeting of Western Visayas-based PCARRD scholars at the College of Management in UP Visayas in Iloilo City.

Of the 70 registered PCARRD scholars in the region, who were given scholarship since 1970s, six scholars attended the meeting. They included Greta Gabinete of the West Visayas State University (WVSU); Rector Latoza and Salvacion Legaspi of Capiz State University (CapSU); Roman Sanares and Gerald Quinitio of University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas; and Lolita Quino of LGU Dumangas.

Among others, Faylon said that the scholars from the region can be tapped to pitch in as consultants, mentors and experts needed in trainings, seminars and other similar activities initiated by WESVARRDEC. According to Faylon, PCARRD spends 50% of its annual budget to invest in human resources.

Recognizing the need to beef up the research and development arm of its member consortiums, PCARRD's scholarship policies from this time onwards are said to be more accommodating. In particular, current scholarships for this year are awarded 15,000 pesos stipend for M.S. scholars and 20,000 pesos stipend for Ph.D. Scholars. Even contractual employees of organizations and university extension offices can apply for a scholarship.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eusebio said that more participation from scholars in the region is needed. For this purpose, a general assembly of scholars, for example, within the year can virtually start the ball rolling.

PSF graces Buenavista FITS center launch

by Niño Manaog, RACG Staff
Photo by Bill Gange, RMISG Staff

Work together as a team. This is what PCARRD Executive Director Patricio Faylon urged the major stakeholders at the launch of the 34th Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) on May 27, 2009 at Buenavista, Guimaras.

Addressing Buenavista's local officials, Faylon stressed on the importance of cooperation and “working together” between the local government unit (LGU) of Buenavista and PCARRD.

Faylon also said that the farmers and staff members of the new FITS Center can rely on the assistance of PCARRD to be extended through the WESVARRDEC based at the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas. The local officials in turn welcomed the presence of the new farmers' infotech center.

The PCARRD Executive Director himself led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) and the launching of the FITS Center in Poblacion Buenavista. Both events were hosted by the local government of Buenavista, Guimaras under the leadership of Mayor Samuel Gumarin.