RAC rep Villasis cited WV's best info officer

By Clyde G. Abayon
Techno Gabay Team Leader
Aklan State University

Aklan State University's Salvacion R. Villasis (see photo) was recognized as one of the 2010 Best Performing Information Officers in Western Visayas by Philippine Information Agency Director General Atty. Jose Fabia and Regional Director Ma. Janet C. Mesa during the Year-end Assembly of Information Officers on December 1, 2010 at the Iloilo Westown Hotel in Iloilo City.

As the Best Performing Information Officer, Villasis was cited by the PIA “for her dedication and commitment as well as exemplary performance in government information, education and communication work, in the pursuit of her agency’s programs, projects and activities, and in creating a facilitating and enabling environment for people and institutional participation in government programs, in the province of Aklan.”

For the last 13 years, Villasis has been serving ASU's Extension and Community Services (ECS). An active member and Vice-President of the Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA), Villasis is an Agricultural Technician at the ASU-ECS, Program Coordinator and Broadcaster of DyMT-FM Community Radio and Regional Applied Communications Group Representative of the Western Visayas Agricultural Resource Research Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Her vast and much-recognized advocacies and work in the area of Public Information earned her respect, admiration and accolades both at the local and regional levels. Her articles which were published in various media contributed much to people’s awareness of the activities, programs, projects and technologies generated by the University.

The Search for Western Visayas' Best Performing Information Officer was launched four months ago by the PIA as its way of recognizing the role and responsibilities of Information Officers in the task of nation-building through government information work.

First satellite FITS center launched in Banga, Aklan

By Salvacion R. Villasis
Representative, Regional Applied Communications
Aklan State University

The Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of the Municipality of Banga launched its first satellite center at Barangay Daja Sur, Banga, Aklan on December 8, 2010.

The creation of a FITS Satellite Center was realized through the generous support of the Daja Sur Farmers Association and one Joseph Ibardolaza, who donated a lot to the Association where the FITS Center was constructed.

The Center serves the lowland and upland farmers, freshwater fishermen, processors and entrepreneurs from three barangays of Banga, namely: Daja Sur, Daja Norte and Tinapuay.

In her message, Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, Regional Techno Gabay Program Coordinator whorepresented the WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne, acknowledged her appreciation to the people of Barangay Daja Sur who shared their resources for the Techno Gabay Program to serve more farmers.

Relingo also presented the importance of the Techno Gabay Program through the establishment of FITS Center as one of its components that provides information and technology services to its stakeholders.

The farmers center's launch was witnessed by some 75 participants composed of Banga Municipal officials headed by Magsasaka Siyentista and Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Margarito R. Andrade; employees from the Municipal Agriculture Office, Provincial Agriculturist William Castillo, Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center VI Director Allan V. Alimodian and the barangay officials and members of Daja Sur Farmers Association.

Present also during the launching were the ASU Techno Gabay Team led by Dr. Clyde G. Abayon, Regional Management Information System Committee Representative Lelisa J. Teodosio and Regional Applied Communication Committee (RACC) Representative Salvacion R. Villasis.

The center was also launched in time with the Graduation of Season-Long Farmer School for Palay Check System and Palayamanan.

FITS BANGA BRANCHES OUT. RTG Coordinator Dr. Anna Mae Relingo and Hon. Margarito Andrade (left photo) lead the ribbon cutting ceremonies to formally open the Banga FITS Satellite Center.