Teach Farmers. Further.

CapSU Techno Gabay shares organic farming to Batad, Iloilo farmers

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

There is no stopping [the advocates of] organic agriculture.

Recently, the Capiz State University Techno Gabay Team led by Eduardo Navarra, Techno Gabay Team Leader, shared the expertise of its personnel to some 80 farmers of Batad, Iloilo and high school and college students during the 3rd Municipal Corn Congress, Corn Derby At Iba Pa sponsored by the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based at the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College in Batad, Iloilo.

Anchored on the theme “Maayo nga Pamaagi sa Pagpanguma: Yabe sang Pagpakigkometensya,” the FITS Center’s initiative drew the active participation of officials and key partners in advocacy from government agencies including the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region 6; the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC); the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Iloilo.

As one of the event’s highlights, Mr. Eduardo Navarrra taught the farmers and students participants on the disadvantages of conventional farming. In turn Navarra promoted the payoffs of engaging in organic farming—foremost by using indigenous microorganisms (IMOs). Aside from his lecture presentation on organic agriculture, Navarra brought samples of IMOs for actual demonstration to the farmers and students.

Wherever Capiz State University (CapSU)'s Techno Gabay Team is invited, Mr. Eduardo Navarra's initiative and efforts to advocate organic agriculture and natural farming alternatives continue to engage agriculture enthusiasts and ordinary persons alike. The Capiz State University feels privileged to help spread the advocacy for the benefit of more farmers in the countryside.

Led by Eva Montero, FITS Center manager, the Corn Congress also awarded farm tools and freebies to participants who led their spot quizzes. The tests were taken from the information supplied by the keynote spe-akers and the resource speakers.

The one-day activity was also joined by Mr. Rolando Lamigo, wesvarrdec’s Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) for corn production representing Batad FITS Center. For his part, Lamigo singled out the plan of their cooperative to adopt organic farming practices across the barangays in the municipality of Batad.

As part of information dissemination campaigns, CapSU Techno Gabay team likewise gave out copies of IEC (information education and communication) materials on organic farming. The Batad FITS Center received brochures developed by CapSU, namely: Organiko nga Pagpanguma: Ang Mas Maayo kag Mahapos nga Pamaagi; Paghimo kag Paggamit sang Mga Foliar Fertilizer; Ang Paghimo sang Vermicompost; and Ang Paghimo sang IndigenousMicroorganisms ukon IMOs.   

Navarra also gave out the primer titled Ang Pag-obra ka Mga Gamit sang Uling nga Ugabhang (Carbonized Rice Hull) authored by Cora Navarra and Eduardo Navarrra and published by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). 

When It Rains, It Pours

Magallanes, CapSU reap nat’l, int’l awards

By Niño S. Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

As the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” This has been the case for Dr. Editha L. Magallanes, president of the Capiz State University and CapSU itself, the institution she has been serving and leading to success since 2008.

In the last three months of this year, both Magallanes and CapSU reaped awards here and abroad for the tireless efforts and campaigns to improve the institution, thereby levelling up the quality of the services offered by this state university in the province of Capiz.

In June 2012, Magallanes qualified as the national finalist in the 2012 Civil Service Commission (CSC)’s Dangal ng Bayan awards.

Outstanding Contribution to Education

On July 19, 2012, Dr. Magallanes received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education during the 3rd Asia’s Best B-School Awards held at the Park Royal on Kichener Road in Singapore.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION.
In July 2012, Dr. Magallanes (right) received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education during the 3rd Asia’s Best B-School Awards held at the Park Royal on Kichener Road in Singapore.

The award was conferred by CMO Asia and the Stars of the Industry Group and was given by Dr. R. L. Bhatia, chief executive officer of Fun and Joy at Work and Mr. Harish Mehta, futurist, patron and mentor. The same citation was given through the strategic partnership between the World Education Congress and the CMO Council and endorsed by the Asian Confederation of Business.

DANGAL NG BAYAN.
Dr. Magallanes (third from right) hugs the limelight with five other recipients of the Dangal ng Bayan award given by the Civil Service Commission and conferred by no less than Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III (center)  at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang Palace in September 2012.

Dangal ng Bayan

Then, in September 2012, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) officially congratulated Magallanes for winning the Dangal ng Bayan Award, along with six others—trimmed down from the original 14 finalists.

Magallanes was named Dangal ng Bayan awardee for her “exemplary adherence to the norms of conduct and ethical behavior.” Magallanes was awarded a trophy designed and crafted by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva and 200,000 pesos cash reward.

According to Atty. Maria Lina Gonzaga, CSC Capiz director, it’s a triple treat for Capiz this year as the CapSU president is one among three awardees in the province who qualified as national finalists and eventually won the recognition of the CSC. The two others were Pag-asa awardees, namely: the Provincial Health Office of Capiz for the group category and pharmacist Claire Caberoy of the same office for the individual category.

For the first time in the history of the province, Gonzaga said, the three nominees—Magallanes and Caberoy for the individual category and the Capiz PHO for the group category—made it to the shortlist and eventually the final selection by CSC this year. “Their records speak for themselves,” Gonzaga said, stressing that the actual accomplishments, innovations and sterling performance of the winners attest to their achievement so properly cited by the CSC.

As winner of the Dangal ng Bayan Award, Magallanes was conferred the award together with other recipients of the 2012 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on September 19, 2012 in Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang.

Exemplary Leader  

Then, more recently, the Dubai-based Asian Education Leadership Awards presented by the Asian Confederation of Businesses conferred the Exemplary Leader Award to Dr. Magallanes on September 25, 2012 at the Taj Palace Hotel in Dubai. The Asian Education Leadership Awards are given to individuals and institutions who have surpassed several levels of excellence.

EXEMPLARY LEADER AWARD.
Dr. Editha Magallanes (second from right) is cited as exemplary leader for having set an example and served as role model in leadership, and cited for being an individual building their institution through leadership, innovation, and academic and industry interface by the  Asian Education Leadership Awards. She received the award with Dr. Herminia B. Gomez, vice-president for academic affairs (center) in Dubai in September 2012.

The same awards are given to those who have set an example or being a role model for exemplary leadership. Magallanes was also cited for being an individual building their institution through leadership, innovation, and academic and industry interface. For the said award, the CapSU president received a trophy and a citation from the sponsors led by Mr. James Wan, chief patron of the Asian Education Leadership Awards.

AND to top it all, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chaired by Dr. Patricia Licuanan signed a document formally reappointing Dr. Editha L. Magallanes as “president of the Capiz State University commencing on July 25, 2012 and expiring on July 24, 2016.” The appointment was made in accordance with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8292, or the Higher Education Modernization Act and by virtue of Resolution No. 39, series of 2012 of the CapSU Board of Regents dated July 25, 2012.

For all these feathers in the cap, constituents of CapSU can only express heartfelt support and approval of Magallanes’s leadership. For Dr. Merlita Navarra, president of the CapSU Faculty and Employees Association (CapSUFEA), Magallanes is a “humble president,” seeing to the welfare of all teachers and employees. Navarra said that they have never had disagreements in any matter—and that she is an effective leader.

For Ms. Elnora Lariza, supervising administrative officer who has been serving the university for some 20 years, Dr. Magallanes is a very dedicated president. Lariza said that “for her, work is work. Pag trabaho, trabaho talaga. Ayaw niya yung paawat-paawat (If it's time to work, it's really work. She doesn’t like to dilly-dally). She is also a kindhearted person who accommodates other peoples’ needs.

For Dr. Cora Navarra, bids and awards committee (BAC) chairperson, the CapSU president is accommodating—one can always approach her on their concerns and transactions. She is also caring for her employees, taking time off her busy schedule to visit offices once in a while. Navarra also noted that Magallanes is a punctual worker—which has been her virtue even when she was a schoolgirl back in Merida, Leyte.