Engr. Kenneth G. Occeño, Extension Worker

Born in Sapian, Capiz in 1965, Kenneth Golez Occeño was among the first graduates of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the Capiz Institute of Technology in 1988. A year after graduation, Occeño taught at the Industrial Technology department of his alma mater before joining the engineering faculty of what was to become Capiz State University.

Engr. Occeño

As extension coordinator (2007–2009) and later chairman of CapSU Main Campus’s extension department (2009 to present), Occeño coordinated with LGUs in Capiz—including 2 municipalities and 3 barangays to conduct basic arc welding and beauty care skills trainings.

Currently the extension chairman of the Capiz State University Main Campus based in Roxas City, Occeño initiated the skills training activities of the Mobile Technology School (MTS), the brainchild of Dr. Manuel Perez’s extension program.

Since its inception in 2008, CapSU’s MTS initiated numerous extension activities under the provisions of CapSu’s agreement with Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment, and the province of Capiz.

From Milibili, Roxas City to barangay Bula in Mambusao town to Panitan, Capiz MTS has already graduated some 170 welders and 80 beauty care specialists to date—and counting. The extent of this extension work gained the praise of CapSU official who saw that in a short period under his leadership, CapSU Main’s extension program has been making a difference. Occeño takes pride in the growing number of welders and beauty care graduates across Capiz who have been texting them on the opportunities gained and businesses established in their own localities.

Occeño attributes this achievement to his MTS team composed of CapSU faculty including Nilma de los Santos, Juanita Acupinpin, Maridel Aminamin, Lee Bancoyo, Remar Apolinario and Josue Ajera. For the master of electrical engineering (Western Institute of Technology, 1998), extension work is an opportunity to help others—“isang uri ng trabaho para sa komunidad—ang abilidad at kakayahan natin ay mahalagang mapapakinabangan ng iba.” Occeño finds happiness from being able to impart his skills to others so they improve their lives. 

The father of three—Arriane Joy, Pearl Joy and Kenlie Christian—has not stopped his continuing education. This licensed electrical engineer and professional teacher married to Mrs. Myrlie Occeño is currently pursuing his doctorate in industrial education at CapSU and hopes to graduate in two years.

For someone whose willingness to help others springs from the heart, extension work is always the best opportunity to help others help themselves. 

CapSU launches 5 FITS centers in 8 days

Mega launch—this is how Nicolas Banquero, Regional Techno Gabay Staff of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) described the establishment of five new Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers across the province of Capiz held recently.

In the last week of November 2010, WESVARRDEC launched FITS centers in the towns of Dao (November 23); Ivisan and Panay (November 29) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Capiz and President Roxas (November 30).
 

(Clockwise from top) A FITS Center billboard is displayed prominently in Dao downtown, stakeholders take part in the OPA Capiz opening rites, and RTG Coordinator Anna Mae Relingo, Ivisan Mayor Felipe Neri Yap and RAC Coordinator Cora Navarra display copies of MoA to formally launch FITS Ivisan.

And pursuant to the deadline set by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), WESVARRDEC launched 17 new farmers’ centers in all across the region within two weeks. These included 7 in Iloilo; 5 in Capiz; 2 each for Negros Occidental and Guimaras; and 1 in Aklan.

Under Executive Order 801 otherwise known as “Encouraging Local Government Units to Adopt the Techno Gabay Program in their Agricultural Programs and the Concerned Government Agencies to Provide the Required Assistance for the Purpose,” PCARRD’s Techno Gabay modality is highly endorsed for adoption and implementation by different local government units (LGUs) nationwide. The Executive Order was signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in May 2009.

The establishment of new FITS centers was warmly welcomed by the beneficiaries and stakeholders. For Vice-Mayor Gualberto Bernas of Panay, Capiz, the FITS center will be “useful to the farmers” and thus there is a “need to sustain it.” Instead of anticipating what they can get from it, Bernas challenged the residents of Panay to assume the FITS center with full responsibility, even saying that Panay could not wait longer so they could share their best practices to other municipalities. Bernas urged stakeholders to take charge of the facilities to be entrusted to them and said that the residents of Panay will surely benefit from the fast and modern information that can enhance their farming and technology practices.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Loretizo, committee on agriculture and fisheries chairman of President Roxas, Capiz encouraged the constituents to make use of the FITS center as opportunity from which they could benefit—“Magpalapit kamo sa FITS—mapuslan naton ini.”

According to Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, Regional Techno Gabay coordinator of WESVARRDEC, the addition of new farmers’ centers to the existing roster is set to boost its performance as they will reach out to and serve more farmers and similar other clients in the countryside. As partner member agency, Capiz State University serves to monitor their performance and progress of the new FITS centers.

The launching of said FITS centers was fully supported by the CapSU Extension Institute led by Dr. Raul Ticar, Regional Applied Communication Committee Coordinator, Dr. Cora Navarra and Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra.

Members of the new FITS centers have identified their prospective Magsasaka Siyentista and their respective focus commodities which WESVARRDEC can help package and promote once its intervention is in full swing.