CapSU joins CPU-DA organic trade fair

On November 26-29, 2012, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Central Philippine University (CPU), hosted the 2nd Regional Organic Agriculture Research and Trade Fair at the CPU Alumni Promenade Hall in Jaro, Ilolo City. 

The CPU-DA initiative gathered some 20 exhibitors from public and private entities— across Iloilo and neighboring provinces like Capiz and Antique—most of whom are advocates of natural farming practices and organic agriculture.

Among other participants, the Capiz State University (CapSU) scattered in ten campuses across the province—and represented by Dr. Cora F. Navarra, newly appointed vice-president for research and extension, brought a number of organic products from Capiz.

From the province of Capiz, CapSU brought to the organic market samples of organic black rice, vermicast and carbonized rice hull coming from small backyard productions in Ivisan and nearby Capiz towns.

CapSU also sold mushroom fruiting bags produced from the mushroom culture based in its Burias Campus and the coco sugar produced by CapSU RDE. It also showcased engineered bamboo novelty items produced by one Randy Fancubila, a recognized Magsasaka Siyentista from Capiz specializing in engineered bamboo technology. 

Fancubila leads the 28-member Dumalag Bamboocraft Producers’ Cooperative based in Dumalag, Capiz which has already been trained by government agencies particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Capiz . For such efforts, it is laudable how CapSU diligently brings to the fore the capacities of small-scale farmers and innovators like Fancubila who discover alternative ways on how to make use of our natural resources while also being able to provide livelihoods in their own communities.

Participating in the same expo were small producers from Capiz and Iloilo who continually innovate saleable products out of organic or traditional farming systems.

All these only go to show how such initiatives can create awareness among the general public; and form part of the one hundred and one approaches by which we can promote practicable ways to combat climate change and its ill effects.

Such and other activities hinged on the national pronouncement led by the DA—primarily the Republic Act No. 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010—should be further encouraged if only to effectively promote and advance organic farming practices not only to the rural communities but more importantly to every farmland in this country.

MR. ORGANICO
CapSU TG Team Leader Eduardo Navarra shares carbonized rice hull technology to CPU engineering students.

WESVARRDEC assesses Capiz FITS centers

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

To assess the performance of the seven Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers across the province of Capiz, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), led by Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Regional Techno Transfer coordinator, conducted the Techno Gabay Meeting for said farmers centers on Dec. 12–13, 2012 at the Urban Manor Hotel in Lawaan, Roxas City.

Gathering some 20 personnel representing said FITS centers, the meeting sought to determine their performance in Techno Gabay, PCAARRD’s banner program which was sought to bring science-based information and technology services to end users in the agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) sectors.

For two days, information services specialists (ISS), technology services specialists (TSS) and managers of FITS Centers actively provided feedback to the WESVARRDEC panel led by Dr. Dusaran and assisted by Ms. Salvacion Villasis, Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) Coordinator.

Led by the CapSU Techno Gabay Team headed by Mr. Eduardo Navarra, the meeting was backed by Deodith Honrado and Ernesto Nillos, WESVARRDEC staff.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the orientation provided by Ms. Jinah Obordo, Techno Gabay focal person of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), who briefed the participants on the particular Techno Gabay components transferred to the ATI.

This year, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) formally turned over the management of FITS centers to the ATI.

On October 18, 2012, selected components of Techno Gabay Program (TGP) were delegated to the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in a formal turnover at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City. The Western Visayas was represented by Dr. Noeni Nepomuceno, wesvarrdec director and Dr. Allan Alimodian, outgoing director of DA-ATI 6.

Under the new arrangement, PCAARRD through WESVARRDEC and CapSU, will be left with providing IEC support services to the FITS Centers. Said offices will also manage the FITS IS and the ICT services. In particular, PCAARRD will serve as Vice-Chair to the National Technical Working Committee.

For its part, DA ATI will prepare guidelines based on IRR re establishment of FITS, and appointment of MS. It will handle communications and memorandum of Agreement with CapSU and WESVARRDEC. ATI is also tasked to assess PMAs, FITS centers and MSs based on the report by PCAARRD. This will include renewal and new appointments of MSs. ATI will also manage the monitoring and evaluation system including all possible required reports.

As the new manager of the FITS Centers, ATI will conduct briefings to FITS Centers with PMAs in partnership with Consortia; organize Regional Technical Working Committee and advocate for the establishment of the new FITS Centers. It will also hold meetings and dialogues with RTGCs, PMAs and FITS Centers. More important, ATI will provide continuous extension services with FITS Centers in partnership with PMAs. These will include regular trainings, IEC- and ICT-related trainings, ICT Literacy trainings, e-Learning administration, techno-clinic, provision of IEC materials, among many others.

In other words, all FITS Centers launched under PCAARRD’s Techno Gabay—which includes all fits centers from Capiz—will be largely managed by the ATI.

In her closing speech, Vice-President for Research and Extension Cora Navarra of the Capiz State University encouraged activity and participation of the FITS Centers and cooperation between them and the partner member agency.

Facilitators and participants of the TG assessments
led by WESVARRDEC and the CapSU Techno Gabay Team and supported by ATI

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.

CapSU TG Team trained on organic farming by ATI

By Niño Manaog
Extension Associate
Capiz State University


On August 15–17, 2012, some 30 delegates from the Capiz State University (CapSU)’s Techno Gabay (TG) Team led by Mr. Eduardo Navarra flocked to the Racso’s Resort in Bantayan, Guimbal, Iloilo to take part in the Organic Training Seminar Workshop for FITS Managers, Technology Service Specialists (TSS) and Information Service Specialists (ISS). It was sponsored by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region 6 based in Banga, Aklan.

Facilitators and participants exchange information
and technologies on organic farming.

For Team Leader Eduardo Navarra, the CapSU TG team was lucky enough to have availed itself of the free training services of the ATI, through the efforts of Susan Dordas, manager of the Dao FITS Center whose proposal was promptly submitted to ATI along with the projects under their own Dao Organic Agriculture Program.

The organics training package featured important key players in organic agriculture.  Mr. Ahmon Ledesma, president of the Negros Organic Rice Industry Association (NORIA), Inc., started the sessions by presenting the principles, fundamentals and goals of organic agriculture, stressing the issues and concerns in sustainable agriculture, and even zooming in on the particular implications of global warming and climate change.

Then, Mr. Philip Reyes, managing director of Lucene Agribusiness shared his expertise on Darag native chicken production and the organic rice & corn production in compliance with the standards. An inspector of the Organic Inspectors' Association of Negros Island (OIANI) and the Negros Island Certification Services (NICERT), Reyes also shared their best practices on organic vegetables production, organic swine raising and integrated diversified organic farming systems.

Other key players and stakeholders in the organic agriculture advocacy also inspired the group. Mr. Samson Garzon of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) based in Negros Occidental shed light on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 10068, otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the Organic Agriculture Certification Standards; while Prof. Marilou J. Ang Lopez of the School of Technology of the University of the Philippines Visayas in Miag-ao, Iloilo lectured on vermicomposting technology.

ATI’s capability-building initiative drew a number of responses from the participants.

For Ms. Susan Dordas, manager of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Dao, Capiz, it enhanced their skills and knowledge on organic agriculture and reinforced the existing expertise of the Dao personnel. Dordas said that while the efforts in organic agriculture have virtually taken off in said municipality this year, the capability building served as a level-up for them.

The training also backed up their technologies and expertise particularly on the bioorganic products which they have been promoting since last year. “We have developed flyers on organics which can be used for DOAP,” Dordas said.

With the help of OPA Capiz FITS Center led by Mr. Audie Belargo who will help shoulder the production costs to be sourced from their respective FITS Center funds, Dordas will develop and publish and disseminate in their municipalities materials on organics production and profitability.

These materials include primers on bio-organic fertilizer and pesticides preparation and health and wellness through natural and organic agriculture which she hopes to see print using the FITS center’s funds granted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

Dordas also acknowledged the help of ATI and CapSU which are instrumental in educating them. “With the help of ATI and CapSU, our organic production efforts have even been made more effective.”

Under the DOAP, the Dao FITS Center has trained some 950 or close to 1,000 farmers from April to August 2012. Dordas also thanked Dr. Hector Penaranda, focal person of the organic agriculture program under the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6), who committed to support the production of these IEC materials.

In the third day of the training, participants were led by the ATI team to the Garin Farms in Guimbal, Iloilo and the diversified farm of Mr. Romeo Baltazar of Oton, Iloilo. During the tour, Baltazar’s farm gained the interest of the participants. Promoting his farm practices, Baltazar shared to them that when he regularly sprayed IMO to deodorize the swine in his farm regularly used—he did not have to make use of his biogas digester. The farmer’s use of IMOs technology observed a significant reduction of biogas (methane) production.

For his part, Mr. Audie Belargo, manager of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Capiz FITS Center, the content of the training was particularly useful to him as manager of the Capiz provincial FITS Center.

Belargo laments that in the past, when researchers and farmers would inquire in his office on organic farming, he used to refer them to the OPA personnel in-charge of the organics. But after this ATI-sponsored training, he can now do the tasks himself and “won’t refer to focal persons if I can handle them myself.”

“Personally, I am also interested in pursuing organic in my own backyard,” Belargo said. Asked about the future of organic agriculture, Belargo said the success will depend on the seriousness of stakeholders. For Belargo, “what is good about organic farming is that it can be practiced from the household level.”

The ATI training did not only engage the participants
into lecture discussions but also brought them to actual sites
where technologies are practiced.

Meanwhile, Ulysses Bendicio, TSS of the President Roxas FITS Center, particularly took note of Baltazar’s farm in Oton, Iloilo. On the model farm, Bendicio said that the organic agriculture practices there can also be applied to their own local farmers.

According to Bendicio, they have also been convincing their local farmers to pursue diversified farming systems. He added that what is admirable in Baltazar’s farm is that bisan gamay ang area kag gamay ang gasto sa panguma, dako nga ganansya ang pwedeng mabaton (Small-scale farms requires small input but promises more profit.) Participants realized that this is so because of the diversity of crops being grown.

In all, Navarra said that the training proved helpful to the Techno Gabay team as the said extension workers can in turn echo their knowledge gained to the farmers and personnel in their respective stations.

CapSU Techno Gabay helps high school researchers

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

Starting them young, starting them now.

This is how Mr. Eduardo Navarra, Techno Gabay Team Leader of the Capiz State University, phrases it, referring to the advocacy of promoting organic farming practices and natural farming systems to the high school students—who he believes can be their “fellow advocates” of organic farming.

On July 6, 2012, Navarra took part in the Training on Current Trends in Organic Agriculture & Vermicomposting hosted by Ms. Lorelei Legada, Research Adviser, at the Science Laboratory Room of Mambusao National High School in Brgy. Tumalalud, Mambusao, Capiz.

STARTING THEM YOUNG

Through the initiative of Ms. Lorie Legada (far left), TG Team Leader Eduardo Navarra (second from left) lectured on organic farming practices and promoted vermi-composting to senior students of Mambusao National High School in Tumalalud, Mambusao, Capiz. Navarra encouraged the next batch of high school researchers to take on the research projects seriously so they could also win in the national competitions this year.

In a whole-day lecture to some 30 senior high school students of Research, Navarra stressed on the importance of organic agriculture, bringing samples of indigenous microorganisms and foliar fertilizer for students to see and potentially use in their research.

Around the same time last year, Navarra started his voluntary consultancy services to Tumalalud National High School students on vermiculture, coordinating with their Research Adviser Loreli Legada and working with the students on their vermiculture project. In particular, Navarra prepared and produced vermicompost for the students to study. One senior class under Research packaged their project titled “Growth of African Night Crawlers on Indigenous Substrates and Chemical Characteristics of their Vermicomposts” which won a regional award given by DepEd.

In January 2012, the same students research was cited in the Research 2012: Flashpoint: Igniting the Nation’s Next Wave of Innovations sponsored by the Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

This year, through the initiative of their Research Adviser Legada, Navarra once again lectured on organic farming practices and promoted vermi-composting to the new batch of high school researchers and challenged them to pursue the research projects seriously so they could also win in the national competitions this year.

YOUNG AND ORGANIC

Senior students of Mambusao National High School in Tumalalud, Mambusao, Capiz take stock of the sample indigenous microorganisms brought by Mr. Navarra.

CapSU Techno Gabay promote programs, technos on radio, TV

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

The wider the coverage, the better.

To promote the Techno Gabay program of the Capiz State University and disseminate technologies to more farmers and agriculture enthusiasts in the province of Capiz, members of the Techno Gabay Team of the Capiz State University (CapSU) invaded the local airwaves recently as part of their advocacy initiatives.

TECHNO GABAY PROMOTES VERMICOMPOSTING ON DUMALAG CABLE TV
Eduardo Navarra shares pointers with TV host Amy Almosa and to the audience on vermi-composting including technologies involved in earthworms for productivity in the farms.

Mr. Eduardo Navarra, CapSU’s Techno Gabay Team Leader, led the mass media campaign in June 2012. On June 19, Navarra shared to televiewers on the vermiculture practices on Palabra de Honor, a weekly TV magazine hosted by Amy Almosa and aired on Spaceport CATV based in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz. Spaceport CATV is owned by Othello Navarra.

On June 13, Niño Manaog, University Extension Associate, led the Promotion of Extension Services and Techno Gabay Programs on “Impormasyon” on Alto Cable TV produced and hosted by Engr. Julius Abela and co-hosted by Amy Almosa. In a one-hour interview at the Alto Cable TV Station on Fuentes Drive, Roxas City, Manaog promoted CapSU’s Extension Services and the Techno Gabay Program on a primetime cable TV program with province-wide subscription.

On June 24 and July 1, Navarra also led the promotion of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMOs) technologies over the Agricultural Training Institute’s School on the Air over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)’s DYVR-AM. Hosted by Teddy Buenvenida of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in Capiz on Mabini and Bilbao Streets, Roxas City, Navarra provided technology practices on preparing indigenous microorganisms and bio nutrients. He also advocated organic farming practices.

WV extension workers study projects implementation, monitoring

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

To teach the extension workers of its member agencies on designing, packaging and sustaining their projects, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region 6 hosted the Seminar Workshop on Implementing Extension Projects in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) on June 25–27, 2012 at the San Antonio Resort in Brgy. Baybay in Roxas City.

The participants, key officials and facilitators of the training workshop

According to Dr. Greta Gabinete, chairperson of the PASUC 6’s Extension Management Council (EMC) and lead convener, the workshop was designed to teach the participants on how to identify extension projects in the communities; package them effectively and sustain their implementation through effective monitoring and evaluation schemes.

Dr. Editha Magallanes

CAPSU HOSTS

Welcoming some 50 participants from 11 member SUCs in the opening program, Dr. Editha Magallanes, president of Capiz State University (CapSU), encouraged extension workers to take stock of the capability-building opportunity. According to Magallanes, extension is a mandate of the SUCs but it is not their sole responsibility.

While sourcing out funds for projects may prove difficult, linkage with appropriate government agencies “we have to establish linkages with government agencies like Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute and even the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). This will help facilitate the implementation of initiatives for livelihood and similar other activities for the target communities.

To identify the relevance of the SUCs’ projects, Magallanes pointed out the importance of technology and training needs assessment in the target communities which will appropriately meet their needs and concerns. And stressing the importance of packaging information, education and communication (IEC) materials the projects, Magallanes encouraged the representatives of SUCs to properly document and package technologies before dissemination and to monitor their respective projects documentation.

Playing host to the event, Capiz State University took active part in the capability building initiative. Led by Director Raul Ticar, CapSU’s Extension Services was represented by its extension chairpersons from across eight CapSU campuses, namely: Dr. Sylvia Ozaraga of Dumarao; For. Wilfredo Abogadie of Burias; Prof. Edna Glory of Tapaz; Prof. Gemma Angelias of Roxas City; Prof. Ginalyn Obien of Sigma; Prof. Joselito Sitjar of Dayao; Prof. Maddy Gallardo of Sapian; Prof. Virginia Cabales of Poblacion Mambusao.

A POOL OF EXPERTS

The workshop featured the expertise of resource speakers from a national government agency and PASUC 6’s member SUCs. Dr. Evelyn Aro-Esquejo, deputy director for policy and administration at the Agricultural Training Institute lectured on the project development cycle and the preparation of log-frame, which is used in designing effective proposals. Esquejo also taught the participants on sustaining the projects by way of designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation.

Prof. Edwin Villaruz, vice-chairman of PASUC 6’s EMC and director for alumni and external relations at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) shared concepts and insights on resource mobilization & networking; while Eduardo Ortega, faculty of the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) shed light on community organizing, which is deemed essential to determining the success of the projects directed in the communities.

In the last day’s session, Prof. Edel Carmela Subong, faculty at the communications department of WVSU, provided tips on the art of project documentation and related skills.

THEY HEARD, THEY LEARNED

The seminar-workshop drew a number of feedbacks from the participants. Carol Joy Palma Remaneses, extension coordinator at the Aklan State University said that the workshop only “affirmed what we are doing in our university.” While their projects are prolific with documentation, Palma confides that “we also need to train ourselves on how to package the documentation” of these projects. Currently the chair of ASU’s nursing program, Palma considered that monitoring and evaluation is also equally important.

Dr. Melinda Iran, who has been extension director of the University of Antique since 2006 valued the content and extent of the topics covered by the workshop, saying that they are applicable to extension work and are aptly needed by the participants. However, Iran wished that “we need more time to learn the topics discussed to cover more and finish our actual output.” For his part, Prof. Arsenio Montaño, Jr. extension chair at the WVCST in Iloilo City, commended the knowledgeable resource speakers who generously shared their expertise to them.

Dr. Benny Palma

 SUCs AS NICHES

Dr. Benny Palma, chairperson of PASUC 6 and outgoing president of CHMSC, zeroed in on the importance of properly starting and continuously sustaining extension projects. Saying that SUCs must be identified as centers or niches of particular commodities, technologies or services, Palma encouraged the participants to package their projects according to the niches identified for their particular institutions.

After showing examples of potential products and technologies that can be produced and provide livelihood to the target communities, Palma urged extension workers to develop it, bank on it and “you will be rewarded.”

Begun in 2009, PASUC 6 EMC designs capability-building initiatives to enhance the skills of the extension workers of its member SUCs including Northern Negros College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST); Aklan State University; Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College; Western Visayas College of Science and Technology; West Visayas State University; Guimaras State College; University of Antique; Iloilo State College of Fisheries; Negros State College of Agriculture; and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College.

Dao FITS Center trains President Roxas farmers, teachers on organic farming

On July 25–26, 2012, some 20 participants consisting of farmers, teachers and residents of President Roxas, Capiz were taught organic farming practices by the personnel of the Dao Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center during the Training in Vegetable Production Using Natural Farming System held at the Agricultural Training Center of the President Roxas FITS Center in Brgy. Cabugcabug, President Roxas, Capiz.

In the first day of the training, Manager Susan Dordas and Technology Services Specialist Genes Estialbo of the Dao FITS Center shared valuable information through lectures on Republic Act 10068, otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the Natural Farming Systems. In particular, Dordas promoted to the participants the harmful effects of conventional farming, while Estialbo stressed on the importance and the convenience of adopting natural farming systems in the farms.

DAO ORGANICS ADVOCATES INVADE PRESIDENT ROXAS.

Supported by the local government represented by SB Committee on Agriculture Chairman Bernardo Loretizo, Dao FITS Center’s Susan Dordas and Genes Estialbo promote organic farming practices as far as their fellow FITS Center in President Roxas, Capiz during the latter’s sponsored organic training workshop in July 2012.

In the second day, the facilitators personally guided the teachers and farmers in preparing concoctions. Participants prepared fish amino acid, fermented plant juice, oriental herbal nutrient and calcium phosphate. According to Dordas, they also prepared bioorganic pesticides including organic conditioner, herbal extracts spray and organic herbal extracts which help in increasing the productivity in their vegetable yields.

After this batch which consisted of teachers and enthusiasts in charge of their school vegetable gardens, the next batch of organic training designed for rice farmers will be conducted by the same Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center before the second cropping within the year.

The livelihood and skills training initiative was led by Leonardo Barcenas, manager of the President Roxas FITS Center and their personnel, namely: Ulysses Bendicio, Annabelle Dorado and Joseph Beltran, all agricultural technologists.  

The advocacy on organic farming production is likewise supported by the Capiz State University under the leadership of President Editha L. Magallanes. Through its Techno Gabay Program led by Team Leader Eduardo Navarra, CapSU continually advocates indigenous backyard technologies that will help augment the income of ordinary rural folk and help address the poverty in the countryside.

CapSU is one of the 18 partner member agencies that help assist seven FITS centers across the Province of Capiz in partnership with the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) operating under the auspices of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

Partnerships for Progress

Plan Int’l, PhilDHRRA, CapSU assess Food Facility Project

By Niño Manaog, Extension Associate, Capiz State University

With reports from Corazon Ditarro, Mae Demontaño and Marty Delfin

After 18 months of rigorous implementation, the Productive Capacity Improvement of Civil Society Groups in the Philippine Agricultural Sector and Establishment of Safety Net Measures against Volatile Food Prices, briefly known as the Food Facility Project (FFP) initiated by Plan International ended in October 2011.

Funded by the European Commission (EU), the FFP was undertaken by the said nongovernment organization through the assistance the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in the Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) and the Agricultural Engineering Department of the Capiz State University Pontevedra Campus in Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz.

According to Project Officer Susan Calaor sustaining the project initiated in 21 communities in the province of Capiz “was a major challenge given the time frame of implementation.”

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Engr. Corazon Ditarro (top left) help farmers groups write the lessons learned from Plan International’s FFP; while and Ms. Mae Demontaño and Marty Delfin (lower left) document the proceedings.

In less than two years, “our partnership has tried to install sustainability mechanisms in terms of systems and structures at the barangay and municipal levels and all of us are hoping that these will be sustained even beyond the project,” Calaor said.

To help identify the lessons learned by the stakeholders in the project’s implementation which can guide future undertakings, Plan International assisted by PhilDHRRA and CapSU Pontevedra’s Agricultural Engineering Department hosted a Lessons Learned Workshop on October 6–7, 2011 at the Villa Consorcia Resort in barangay Malag-it, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Said workshop convened the farmer beneficiaries to update the partners on the status of the project after 18 months of implementation. In the two-day closing activity, the major stakeholders identified the gaps in sustaining the project and their respective roles of partners and ways to move forward beyond the Food Facility Project.

Representing Capiz State University, the partner academic institution who actively pitched in for the Food Facility Project, Engr. Corazon Ditarro and Engr. Marty Delfin of the Agricultural Engineering Department helped facilitate the sessions led by the Plan International personnel led by Plan’s Susan Calaor and Lea Escantilla of PhilDHRRA. Ms. Maria Mae Demontaño of CapSU Pontevedra’s College of Education documented the workshop’s proceedings. 

Lessons Learned

Ms. Evelyn Vega, chairman of the United Men and Women for Agricultural and Fishery Development (Umwad) - Pilar, Inc., shared that humbleness always helps to succeed in this endeavor. For Vega, there are still a lot of challenges to overcome in the future, but it is best to continue the best practices that work while learning from the lessons and mistakes from the past.

Melanie de la Cruz, director of the Maayon Community-Based Agricultural Development Organization (MCBADO) said that some of the respondents did not tell the truth about their economic status, so the objectivity of the indigence of the beneficiaries can never be exactly validated. During the organization personal priorities like children, housekeeping, framing, livelihood activities conflicted with the schedule of the activities, so it was recommended that regular attendance in meetings by cluster leaders be encouraged, through good rapport.

De La Cruz said that it is hard to please everybody—because despite the systematic procedures used in organizing the community, some people were dissatisfied. De la Cruz encouraged beneficiaries and leaders who attend seminars and training from their barangay to echo their learning to their constituents. There is a need to share the knowledge, and practice communication skills by transmitting ideas and learning’s to those who lack knowledge about the organization.

For their part, Mr. Lito Nisnisan, agricultural technologist at Pontevedra’s Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) suggested ways on how to overcome challenges about the indifferences that may come along the way. According to Nisnisan, the council is the right channel to help to support and justify the efforts made by the project implementers.

After the formal turnover of the project to the barangay, Pontevedra Fishers and Farmers Agricultural Development Organization (PFiFADO), Inc., United Men and Women for Agricultural and Fishery Development (Umwad) - Pilar, Inc. and Maayon Community-Based Agricultural Development Organization (MCBADO) will run their own programs thru the collaborative effort of the officials and member beneficiaries. To plan out the course of action to be taken to sustain the project, the farmers’ organizations were asked to consider “the dreams of the organization in the next 3 years.”

Local government officials also took part in the drawing of insights from the project. Pontevedra MHO said that her attendance in the workshop made her more aware of the importance and collaborative efforts of the different sectors.

Personnel from the Pontevedra’s Social Work and Development Office also said that Plan International is commendable because its projects were implemented and the people benefited. She said the beneficiaries deserved the benefits of the project and; because the beneficiaries have already been empowered, it is their responsibility to sustain what had been started. She urged the people to commit to sustain the project to create impact in their lives and their communities.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Plan International’s Susan Calaor (far right) guides the farmer leaders on how to best maximize the projects and facilities downloaded to them as beneficiaries of the Food Facility Project.

Interestingly, a participant told the group of a story about a tribe who used to sit by the campfire every night as a community. There came a time when they stopped this tradition because they already learned to buy and use appliances. Since electricity became available to them, they used up bulbs instead of the usual fire. According to him, the story resembles that of Plan International. There will come a time when no story teller will be present anymore because life will have been modernized. The storyteller said that the old idea should not be forgotten even in the modern age because farming is the indispensable, alternative way to solve today’s many problems brought about by modern technology.

Summing up the participation of the CapSU Pontevedra’s Agricultural Engineering Department, Engr. Corazon Ditarro, encouraged the community that “we are mandated to perform formal instruction inside the classrooms, but we extend to the community, we cater to adults and out-of-school youth (OSY).

Having worked with Plan International for more than a year, Ditarro cited the lessons they learned. Among others, Ditarro commended and sought to continue the camaraderie and commitment of the members, always maintain patience. Ditarro said that the project would not end when the Plan International exited in October 2011.

Rather, the action and advocacy plans laid out by the three farmers groups in the series of capability building workshops will work out in their respective municipalities.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THANK YOU.
Members of the three farmers organizations, namely: Pontevedra Fishers and Farmers Agricultural Development Organization (PFiFADO), Inc., the Maayon Community-Based Agricultural Development Organization (MCBADO) and the United Men and Women For Agricultural and Fishery Development (UMWAD) - Pilar, Inc., along with their local government officials, wave hands to express their gratitude, support and commitment to Plan International’s Food Facility Project which was turned over to their LGUs in October 2011. CapSU Pontevedra’s Agricultural Engineering Department helped facilitate said project.

WV personnel officers gather for 3rd regional congress

The Western Visayas Regional Council of Personnel Officers (RCPO) together with the Civil Service Commission will hold the 3rd Human Resource Management Practitioners Regional Congress on August 23–24, 2012 at the Kapis Mansions in Brgy. Banica, Roxas City. The Capiz Council of Personnel Officers will host the event.

Themed “Leaping Towards Empowered Human Resource Management Practitioners,” the regional summit will convene some 350 human resource management practitioners composed of administrative officers, human resource management officers and personnel officers representing government agencies from across the Western Visayas.

Said agencies include the local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), national government agencies (NGAs) and government financing institutions (GFIs) from all over the region.

According to Mr. Johnny Dariagan, RCPO president, this year’s gathering of HR managers and practitioners will feature a good array of input and content that will surely benefit the participants.

Among others, the congress will feature the expertise of Mr. Jerome Eslabra, who will engage the participants on Self-Empowerment. This session is designed to unlock the potentials of the individual worker as he relates to his colleagues and the workplace.

Participants will also enjoy seminars on health and wellness by Dir. Maria Lina Gonzaga, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Capiz director and gender and development (GAD) by Ms. Emmeline Verzosa, executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women. More important, the congress will update the participants on the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) and Strategic Programs to be led by Dir. Azucena Esleta, director of CSC’s Personnel Policies and Standards Office.

According to Ms. Alma Ravena, regional trustee and former RCPO president, “the content of the conference is so designed to involve participants’ individual personality and improvement and work toward social responsibility.

Also showcasing the best of Capiz culture and tourism, this regional event will be made possible through the efforts of CSC’s regional and provincial offices, the Province of Capiz, the Capiz State University (CapSU) and promoted by the Capiz Provincial Press Bureau.

KEY PERSONNEL
This year's personnel officers congress will be hosted in Roxas City
by the Capiz Council of Personnel Officers led by its president,
Mr. Johnny Dariagan (seated, fifth from left) of the Capiz State University.

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University