FITS OPA Guimaras named WESVARRDEC’s best

By Niño Manaog
Regional Applied Communications
WESVARRDEC

For its outstanding participation in the programs implemented by the consortium in the past year, the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Guimaras was conferred the Best FITS award by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during its Yearend Strategic Meeting held December 09, 2009 at the Sunset Terrace Hall in Hotel del Rio in Molo, Iloilo City.

For 2009, FITS OPA Guimaras was cited for satisfactorily working their partner member agency, the Bureau of Plant Industry - National Mango Research and Development Center (BPI-NMRDC) and for having actively taken part in the consortium’s agenda.


GO, GO, GUIMARAS
FITS OPA Guimaras clinched WESVARRDEC’s top prize owing to the untiring performance of FITS Manager Judy Bulquiren (fourth from right) and Magsasaka Siyentista Rebecca Tubongbanua (extreme right) of the McNester products fame, as duly supported by BPI-NMRDC’s Sofia Covacha (third from right), RTG Team Leader and Helen Bignayan (second from right), Regional Applied Communication (RAC) representative.


FITS OPA Guimaras led and participated in some 8 caravans in 2009. Aside from taking part in activities initiated by the consortium, it brought the products of its Science and Technology Based Farm (STBF) to some five agri-trade fairs in Guimaras and Iloilo, widely promoting the mango process technology across the region.

While it produced a wide number of IEC materials from brochures and flyers to catalogues and tarpaulins it also posted sizable website information through the PCARRD-maintained FITS-IS database.

The plaque of recognition was awarded to FITS Manager Judy Bulquiren, Regional Techno Gabay (RTG) Team Leader Sofia Covacha and Regional Applied Communication (RAC) representative Helen Bignayan. FITS OPA Guimaras will also receive 5,000 cash prize and activity proposal worth P10,000 for the FITS Center.

Criteria for selection included delivery of PMA services, 40%; resource generation and linkages, 15%; organization and management, 30% and overall leadership of TG team leader (coordination with RMIS and RACO representative), 10%.

The regional evaluation committee consisted of Research and Development Coordinator Geronimo Gregorio of the Capiz State University, WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, and Dr. Juanita Magan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos.