Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC)
Of Catanduanes
OUTSTANDING PAFC

The Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Catanduanes serves as a facilitator, enabler, catalyst, and active partner to its members ….. by helping them source out founds, providing support and empowering them through trainings and technology transfer and information and policy advocacies.

PAFC also serves as the link between the Department of Agriculture and the LGUs and as active partner of both in the implementation of agricultural development undertakings.
More importantly, PAFC acts as a consultative, integrative, coordinative, advocacy and monitoring body that ensures the efficient, transparent and successful implementation of agricultural programs and projects in the province.

For 2008, the council paved the way for the conduct of Abaca Business Plan Participatory Workshop, a NAFC funded activity, on April 23-25, 2008 which resulted to the crafting of the 3-year Catanduanes Unlad Abaca Masa (CUA) Development Plan expected to benefit some 14,000 families. Abaca is the major crop of the province that can withstand strong wind and typhoons that after a year abaca plant is again providing livelihood to thousands of Catandunganons.

Today, farmers are starting to mechanize abaca stripping and micro-entrepreneurs to venture into handicraft making that provides better employment among rural women.

The PAFC also worked out the conduct of Farmer’s Forum on various agricultural programs of the government which was attended by over 850 agricultural stakeholders. It was also through PAFC that the annual celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month in May was institutionalized in the province.

Because of the PAFC’s aggressive advocacy campaign for LGUs to support the DA’s fertilizer subsidy program, the Provincial Government through Governor Joseph Cua approved P1.5M as its counterpart to the program effective last year until year 2010.

The provincial government not only recognizes PAFC but also provides annual funding from the 20%EDF with the integration of PAFC’s program of work to the province’s Annual Investment Plan. In 2007, it was provided P100,000 for its operations and P150,000 as equity for the construction of the Provincial Multi-purpose Training Center where the 1st floor will be given to PAFC for its Office, Conference Hall and Showroom for the island’s champion products like abaca, tiger grass and handicrafts. In 2008, it was allocated by the Provincial Government P200,000.00 for its operations and enterprise development plus P1.2M for completion of the Training Center Phase 1.

PAFC Catanduanes has actively promoted agricultural programs and services and improved technologies through conduct or symposia, fora and consultations cum workshop on relevant issues and concerns like post harvest development; disaster preparedness and mitigation for agriculture; credit access and credit discipline; fund sourcing for agricultural and fishery-based production and processing projects.

It assisted NGO’s and LGUs in accessing funds for eleven (11) LEAD projects amounting to P1.7M in 2007-2008. It was able to obtain P0.75M from NAFC for the Livelihood Assistance Project for typhoon Reming victims. Instead of giving these for free it adopted the “roll-over scheme” to help more families and to dispel the dole-out mentality. Already 11 beneficiaries from Virac and Bato were awarded of the roll-over fund.

It strongly supports the RP-SPAIN SAIS-BC Abaca Fiber Extraction and Marketing Projects. It has provided the Dororian Farmers Producer Cooperative a capital of P25,000.00 from the Roll-Over Fund of LEAD Provincial Roll-Over Fund for its Abaca Fiber “Tinagak” Making Project. The MAFC Chairpersons of the areas covered by the project also served as members of the Local Empowerment Team tasked to evaluate possible organization-recipients.

PAFC Catanduanes also supports the One-Town-One Product of the DTI through provision of additional capital to the Caramoran Lasa Processors Association engaged in Lasa or tiger grass soft broom making project.

It endorsed 3 project proposals to DOLE and two were approved: the Macutal Farmers Producers Cooperative in Baras (also a SAIS-BC recipient) for financial assistance for their Abaca Twine Making Project amounting to P178,000.00 and Alinawan Small Sugarcane Processors for Muscovado Production Project amounting to P103,000.00

The PAFC also supported the establishment of the Crab Center and the enactment of the provincials ordinance to curb the illegal trading of crablets outside the province. Since 2007 it has passed and approved 21 resolutions not only in support to its own activities and projects but also in support to other NGOs and Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs) in Catanduanes.

PAFC Catanduanes is truly a dynamic, active, and pro-active, council that has inspired and empowered individual and farmers groups in the province to be self-reliant and to actively participate in the development efforts not only for themselves but for the entire nation. It deserves to join the ranks of national Gawad saka awardees and achievers.

In a 3rd class municipality where the implementation of agricultural programs and projects in 38 coastal and upland barangays are handled by only 4 agricultural technicians, the Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council of Lupi has made a strategic position assisting the LGUs in the implementation, and monitoring of agricultural programs and projects and undertaking activities supportive of the agricultural development initiatives of the local government of Lupi.

The MAFC of Lupi has organized the six mandated sectoral committees and has diverse membership composed of women, farmers and fishers groups, input dealers, non-government organization, community leaders and the agri related government agencies. It has organized 38 functional Barangay AFCs.

The MAFC serves as the link of DA and the stakeholders and act as the vehicle in disseminating information about development projects of the various government agencies. The MAFC of Lupi is an active member of the Local Development Council, as such; it is able to voice out concerns and needs of the agriculture sector. It enjoys a sustained financing support P100, 000.00 per year from LGU for meetings and traveling allowances. It has established an effective feedback mechanism where local issues are discussed for immediate resolution or referral to higher authorities.

Every month the BAFCs submit monthly report, aside from making report during monthly meetings. To get the feel of the issues and concerns in the barangays and strengthen rapport with barangay officials and the community, the council conducts mobile monthly meetings, with the host barangay shouldering the provision for food of the participants. By doing this, the council readily resolves problems, issues and concerns of the barangay. Among the issues that were addressed by the council are- request for tilapia fingerlings for dispersal to backyard fishpond owners, allocation of funds for farm to market roads in Barangays Buenaswetre, Belwang, and Polantuna, rehab of irrigation facility, construction of solar dryer, construction of footbridge that facilitated the transport of farm produce, request for farm implements such as knapsack and hand tractor.

Moreover, the council has initiated the following projects and activities- establishment of 1000 sq. meter vegetable garden to be replicated in 17 barangays in support to the Gulayan Para sa Masa, reactivation of the Duck Raisers Association, Ruminant Raisers Association, Sooc, La Purisima Carabao Raisers Association, organization of rabies and AI task forces to I assist in the campaign against rabies.

It has assisted in the distribution of hybrid and certified palay seeds and organic fertilizers. Also, it has its own cattle and carabao dispersal program that benefited the BAFC members. The original animal of two heads cattle and two heads carabao were the MAFCs award as regional Gawad Saka winner in 1994. At present, the council has dispersed 9 heads cattle and 1 head carabao.

As an advisory and monitoring body, the council advocated for the stricter ordinance in curbing illegal fishing, construction of sanitary landfill and barangay garbage disposal, maintenance of kawayan tinik- a raw material for bamboo craft, the OTOP of Lupi, production of hybrid coco seed nuts, and zero waste management.

Under the capacity building activities of the council, it spearheaded the conduct of the training on seed production and management, cattle production, vegetable production and nursery management. Thru the financial support of the LGUs it has conducted educational trips within and outside the region.
MAFC Lupi has not limited itself to agricultural undertakings. It has actively (participated in social and civic activities like tree planting of forest trees, foundation anniversary celebration, agri-fairs, and congresses.

MAFC Lupi is looking forward to the establishment of more communal gardens and barangay nurseries to address malnutrition, identification of potential eco-tourism areas, expansion of large animal dispersal and pasture and forage demo project.

The MAFC of Lupi in Camarines Sur for 17 years now has remained as a strong link of DA in the barangays, and will continue to be the vehicle in the promotion and growth of the agriculture sector and be a dependable partner in progress.#

Linda R. Corsiga is a teacher by profession; but after teaching briefly, she tried her luck in a private company in Manila as executive secretary and later had a brief stint at the Ministry of Trade and Industry as assistant secretary to then minister Roberto Ongpin.

She then worked for 13 years as executive assistant to private investment arm of the World Bank group. But later she decided to go into business and be her own boss. Her exposure and experience in the corporate world had honed her managerial skills and awaken her interest in business . But before embarking into her own business she prepared herself by attending seminars and training on Honeybee Culture, Entrepreneurship and Vinegar processing /production.

Her first venture was the culture of Australian honey bees in her hometown Bulan, Sorsogon encouraged by the advise of an expert who had told him Bicol region is a "paradise for bees" because it has vast coconut plantations and one of the sources of nectar are the coconut blossoms." But for some reasons this undertaking failed but it opened another window of opportunity for her - the establishment of organic coco nectar vinegar business under the name Sorsogon Food Enterprise in 2003.

Inspired by the legacy and memory of her mother, Conching who was into organic all-natural coconut sap vinegar -making in the 50's, she adapted the brand name Lola Conching. Linda likewise, considered it her mission to "rescue the vanishing breed of tuba gatherers from extinction" and save the dying art of tuba and vinegar-making."

In 2004, she joined the Organic Producers Trade Association, which served as the initial launching pad for her vinegar products. Since then, SFE has joined bazaars, trade fairs and exhibits both locally and abroad. It started off with just one kind of vinegar and over the years it has evolved into a producer of coco nectar specialty vinegars with five (5) variants; the raw wild honey, chili and ginger, garlic and lemon grass. Theirs, is no ordinary table vinegar but categorized as a gourmet vinegar which could be used for cooking, dipping marinating, pickling, salad dressing and a detox drink as well. SFE has also developed other new products like the Coco Nectar Honey, Coco Nectar Health and Energy Drink and Coconut Gel Chutney and coconut palm cabbage chutney.

SFE has lived up to its mission to lessen people's exposure to chemically -laden foods by maintaining its organic positioning in the market and had its products certified by the Organic Certification center of the Philippines (OCCP) for the domestic market and their application for organic certification for the US market is being processed by CERES, a German organic certification company. All SFE products have been tested by reputable BFAD -recognized laboratories - the SGS Philippines and Food Development Center which confirmed their purity and excellent quality. They were also tested for their nutrient content which revealed the presence of beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium and sodium.

SFE products are considered as Pinoy world Class Agri-products especially the Organic Coco nectar Specialty vinegars which was one of the four winners at the International Food Expo 2006 (IFEX) Trendy Product Award of CITEM in May 2006. Her Chutney Coco Gel has been adjudged as the Best Rising or Promising Product during the Rising Star Competition at the 8th Philfoodex Trade Fair on March 2-6, 2009. And Linda Corsiga, the woman behind this successful enterprise has been recognized and given the Product Processor Innovator Award during the Coconut Festival on August 23, 2006.

Linda and her products have been featured in various broadsheets, magazines, TV documentaries, shows and on-line as well. Linda has also been invited as guest in various shows and as resource speaker in various events. With a capitalization of only P2M the SFE enterprise is now multi-million enterprise and is still growing and expanding. Her products are now being sold in Metro Manila, Bicol and Tarlac, the United States and Japan.

Despite her success Linda knows how to payback and pay forward. She adopts some students as scholars, donates books to the barangay, gives cheers to the indigents through gift giving during Christmas , donates relief goods during calamities and do other community works.

Linda and her products are truly "orgullo" or pride of Bikol. Her entrepreneurial spirit is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and her commitment to the cause of providing safe food, health and wellness of consumers, protecting the environment and espousing organic practices and natural methods in food production and generating jobs for jobless are indeed commendable and worth emulating.

Hard work, foresight and innovativeness are the three-fold characteristics of a farmer that is bound to succeed. Engineer Raul T. Carreras is a civil engineer. He practiced his profession for only three years and finally ventured into farming in 1986, a decision made out of necessity because nobody has to manage his family's 25-hectare farmland in Tigaon, Camarines Sur. But he did not regret at all his decision for it opened for him much better window of opportunity.

He started with 5-hectare corn and later expanded to sugarcane production.
For two decades he developed his own techniques, introduced and validated research based technologies. He adopted suitable and appropriate cultural management practices and post harvest technologies in his farm. These, he got from various trainings and lakbay aral. Aside from this, close collaboration with LGU and government agencies greatly improved his farming business.
Today, Engr. Carreras was able to develop his family's farm. He has 20,000 heads of poultry layer and 14 sow-level piggery.

Engineer Carreras could easily identify new business opportunities. He said that what is important in a business is the hands-on management for it to flourish andbe profitable.
Engineer Carreras' pet commodity is corn. He has perfected the technology in producing this grain and has even influenced other farmers in the community to plant this crop. He has introduced innovations from land preparation, planting, postharvest handling and storage.

The critical stage in corn production is during planting and early vegetative stage. He maintains 71,500 corn plants per hectare during wet season cropping and 76,000 plants per hectare during dry season cropping for him to obtain 9-10.7 metric tons yield per hectare. Seed selection is very important. He usually plant hybrid corn seeds resistant to corn borer. He practices manual planting. Sowing and covering the seeds with soil by hand ensure even germination and avoid missing hills. Distance of planting between hills is measured using a calibrated stick at 20 centimeters between hills. He sees to it that fertilizer application is measured and applied evenly to avoid wastage.

One of his proven technologies in harvesting is de-husking the corn ears while harvesting leaving the husk and the entire plant in the field. The plants were left in the field to decompose and used as compost to improve soil texture and tilth. The usual practice of farmer is cutting the corn plants at the base before removing the ears during harvest.

Carreras is also an environmentalist. He practices the 3Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle principles in waste management. For his poultry and piggery, he collects at least 10 bags of chicken and hog manure daily, which he uses as organic fertilizer, thus reducing his inorganic fertilizer usage.
He produces his own organic fertilizer mixing the collected manures with CARBONIZED rice hull and trichoderma to facilitate decomposition. To produce quality and aflatoxin free corn, Carreras managed to come up with a postharvest innovation with the use of bamboo cribs as storage bins for corn in cobs. The cribs ensure air circulation in stored corn. He has concrete drying pavements to dry shelled corn. As a tip to corn farmers he says shelling must be done when it is sunny to minimize shrinkage.
Carreras is also producing corncob briquettes. A cooking fuel alternative that is affordable, healthier and can be used indoors. Marketing is not a problem. The bulk of his produce is used in mixing his own feed formulation for his poultry and piggery using his own feed mill.

Carreras is active both in civic and religious organizations. He is currently the chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council; President of the Bicol Gawad Saka National Achievers Association, Inc.; an active member of the Rotary Club of Naga East and President of PETRUS Social Action Foundation; President PETRUS Integrated Agricultural Development Cooperative; an active member of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council of Tigaon and Vice President of the Samahang Magsasaka Siyentista ng Bicol.

As an outstanding corn farmer and successful in the use of science and technology based technologies Carreras was chosen as one of the region's Magsasaka Siyentista or MS by BCARRD. That is why, he is most sought after resource speaker on corn production technology. His experiences and technologies arenow disseminated in trainings and seminars. He also acts as adviser and consultant and his farm is frequented by visitors as it was chosen as demonstration site for on-farm trial. Aside from this, his farm is located in the corn cluster area of Camarines Sur.

Because of his outstanding contributions and exemplary performance in all his agricultural undertakings Carreras was awarded Runner up in the National Outstanding Magsasaka Siyentista by PCARRD DOST in 2008; National Gawad Saka awardee as Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer in 2004; national Gawad-saka Outstanding MAFC in 1991 and 1st runner up national search for Bigatin Corn Farmer by Monsanto in 2004.

But his most important contribution are the jobs generated and the livelihood opportunities that his enterprise have provided to the people of Tigaon in particular and Camarines Sur in general.
Success is nothing without a family to nurture. Carreras and his wife are indeed partners for life and in business. They have four children, the eldest graduated in college and two are still in college and one is in high school.

With the economic letdown Engineer Carreras is still positive that agriculture will still hold the economy afloat. He believes that it only takes industry, new technologies and government support to sustain production and generate more jobs for the people.

The Countryside Multiline Cooperative in Daet, Camarines Norte started as an institutional cooperative of the employees of the Bicol Upland Resources Development Foundation Inc. in 1992. Its business I activities are extension of consumer goods and small capital. It also implements environmental projects of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.

In 2003, CMC was transformed as an I agricultural multi-purpose cooperative. Its wide range of goods and services covers agricultural projects and non-agricultural business activities that helped address poverty in the rural areas, provide opportunity for additional income for the members and community and promote the development and growth of the agriculture sector in the province.

From then on, with the support of the general membership, presence of able and committed officers and staff, strong collaboration with government agencies and private institutions, CMC made a name in the circle of cooperatives, made its presence felt in the whole province and made an impact on the lives of farmers, fisherfolks and small business entrepreneurs.

CMC has 604 regular and 9893 associate members comprising farmers, fisherfolks, agrarian reform beneficiaries, salaried workers, entrepreneurs and small businessmen. It has a capital build up of PI8.M, assets of P94M, liabilities of P72M, and net surplus of PI.9M in 2007 and P494T in 2008.

One major project of the coop is the Organized Palay Production and Marketing. It started in 2000 with pi funding assistance of PS.3M from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The components of the program are palay production and procurement, milling, trading, and warehousing.

Thru this program the coop has put-up a 2.5 TH multi-pass rice mill, a warehouse, solar dryer and acquired two hauling trucks.

Farmer-members are extended production loan in kind in the form of fertilizers, chemicals, herbicides and cash for land preparation payable after harvest.

For 2007-2008, 350 members tilling 904 hectares were extended production loans. Loan releases averaged P7M per cropping.

The coop procures palay from non-members P0.50 higher than local buyers and for members; the coop gives an incentive of P0.10/kilo.

For two cropping seasons, it has procured 34, 820 bags valued at P16M For easy access, there are six buying stations where farmers can readily bring their produce. Annually, 15,531 bags milled rice valued at PI8.6M. are sold to coop members, stores, traders, other cooperatives locally and in Cam. Sur, AIbay, Quezon,and Laguna.

Non-members can avail of the milling facility of CMC for a fee of P100/bag. It has milled 5,000 bags valued at P489T. The milling arrangement with the National Food Authority generated for the cooperative P233T for milling 36,150 bags of palay.

Moreover, a solar dyer measuring 1,200 sq. meters is also open for use of non-members for a minimal fee. A mechanical flatbed dryer is under negotiation with the Department of Agriculture.

All activities under the OPPM generate 20 to 30 labor every cropping season. Another project with great impact on the small coconut farmers is the Coconut Farm Development Program (CFDP) where CMC is the anchor cooperative. 50,000 seed nuts were reared at the nursery inside the CMC Agri Complex in Sto. Domingo, Vinzons.
So far, 4,045 seedlings were already sold to 17 coconut farmers at P30 -50/seedling on a "Plant Now Pay later Scheme." Already, 50 hectares were replanted. This program employed 10 farm labor.

Furthermore, CMC has a microfinance program. It has provided non-collateral working capital of P5, 000 to P25, 000 for small businesses of members. The program covers 12 municipalities, 1 % barangays and assisted 9893 members.

The program is funded by Consuelo "Chito" Madrigal Foundation, Inc. (CCMFI), UCPB-CIJF, Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SBGFC) and National Livelihood Development Corporation.

Among the livelihood projects that were funded are buy and sell, handicraft, vegetable farming, sari-sari store, bakery, eatery, coconut buying, nipa making, electrical repair, fish processing and vending. This program has spared the members from various practices of non- formal moneylenders and sustained the source of income of the members.

Within the CMC agri complex is a 700 sq. m. fish pond, stocked with 1800 tilapia fingerlings; 39 heads swine for fattening, 12 heads goats and 9 heads cattle.

Other services of the coop include savings, hospitalization, and mortuary assistance. CMC is known for its creditworthiness. For all loans, CMC recorded a 100% repayment performance; 93% by members. The coop has P73.5 M credit lines.

CMC's government and private partners are- Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), LBP, PCA, UCPB-CIJF, NFA, NLSF, DENR, Provincial Government of Cam, Norte, Madrigal Foundation, Free Farmers Federation, Provincial Development Council, Koop-Ugnayan of Cam. Norte, Bicol Habitat for Humanity Foundation, Quedancor, NATTCO, Provincial Farmers Action Council and the DA in the implementation of its programs, projects and activities.

In recognition of the CMC's outstanding contributions, CMC has earned awards, recognition and citations, among them Gawad Saka 2007 Regional winner, Most Outstanding Program Partner for Region IV and V, one of the "100 Cooperative Top Grossers 2007, Highest in Membership Expansion, Most Outstanding Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative, Level 1 category.

Now on its 16th year, Countryside Multiline Cooperative has made a big difference in the lives of its members, the community, and country.

After leaving from his private employment, Mr. Jose Quimpo of Goa, Camarines Sur put his hands into farming the 3.5 hectares inheritance from his parents. Years later, he acquired 1.5 hectares out of their own savings.

His first farming experience is with lemon but later shifted to coconut due to its value adding potential and longer economic life and practiced integrated coconut based farming system.

He planted 512 coconut trees laguna tall variety; 420 trees of which are non-bearing with age ranging from 1.5 to 2 years.

The 92 bearing trees with age ranging from 25 to 35 years yielded an average of 82.80 nuts per tree/year, which is 100 % higher than the regional average of 42 nuts/tree/yr.

The bearing trees are on their most productive stage.

To attain maximum nut harvest, Mr. Quimpo applies basal fertilizer application using ammonium sulphate during planting. For bearing trees, he applies sodium chloride or salt on a six-month interval.

He employs 3 regular farm worker paid daily that take charge of the farm maintenance, copra processing, and tuba/vinegar production. During harvest time and field planting, he hires three more farm labor.

Based on record, Mr. Quimpo harvested a total-of I 15,235 nuts from 92 bearing trees for two years. In copra terms, it translates to 3.68 mt at 1 kl of copra from 3 % nuts which is 22% more than the regional average of 4.5 nuts per kilo of copra.

For two years, he derived a net income from copra production and marketing and sale of 2,402 whole nut an amount of P98,089.76 plus additional income of P3,250 net from charcoal production.

From his coconut nursery where he raised 2,146 seednuts, he was able to sell 800 coco seedlings at P20/pc for a total income of P16,000 with a net profit of P6,818.

By producing hybrid com, he netted P36,965 for his 1st production and P11 ,920.00 for the 2nd year, The ROI for two years is 51.68% Mr. Quimpo has allotted 0.25 hectares for rice production. He got an aggregate net income P50,760 for 2 years or an ROI of 134%.

A very enterprising farmer,he also went into swine production. By raising 20 heads swine got a net income of P38, 695. But because of the rising cost of feeds, he temporarily stopped its operation.

His other sources of income are coconut toddy production. Out of the 92 bearing trees, 20 trees were reserved for tube/vinegar production. The sap is being gathered for conversion into tuba and coconut vinegar. The discarded coco shells are made into charcoal. The mature fronds are made into brooms. Some nuts are sold as coconut husks.

In his farm are planted cacao trees,banana, ipil ipil trees, fruit trees, pili nut trees, lemon and mango trees.

Farm produce is marketed directly to buyers through his own store in the town proper and bags of Copra are sold directly to the oil mill or local traders.

For all his coconut farming ventures, Mr. Quimpo recorded a net income of P232,671.76 for two years.

To ensure prime quality white copra, he self- financed the construction of a kukum dryer. He shelled out P94,480.00 for the facility. The facility is also being used for drying corn. He is the first of two farmers in Goa who constructed a drying facility certified to produce high quality copra. Aside from this, he has a solar dryer.

Mr. Quimpo advocates the use organic fertilizer. He sets aside 100 sq. meter for the production of organic fertilizer. Ashes from burned rice hull is incorporated in the soil between rows of his corn intercrops. Piggery wastes, trimmings from crops, weeds, chicken manure from other farms are utilized as organic fertilizers.

Speaking about his social commitment and community involvement, Mr.Quimpo is actively involved in various organizations such as Abucayan Farmers Association; Com Planters Association of Goa, Goa Isarog Jaycees, Abucayan Small Coconut Farmers Organization, local COCOFED chapter. Moreover, he is also active in church activities as lay minister, and member of the Knights of Columbus.

To hone his farming skills and knowledge he has attended the trainings on Coco peat utilization as soil conditioner, Farmers training on grassroots Food safety campaign, Proper Copra drying techniques and Moisture meter reading.

What he has contributed to the agriculture sector did not go unrecognized. He has received awards and recognition from PCA for his outstanding contribution to the coconut industry of CS and for his adoption and effective dissemination of the white copra processing technology.

He was conferred Chapter award of achievement by Goa Isarog Jaycees and a Certificate of recognition by Jaycees International Phil.

The knights of Columbus appreciated his outstanding participation in its watch your health program, his faithful and exceptional services with a certificate of merit and his dedicated service rendered to the community and resounding manifestation of integrity and high sense of honor with a golden service award.

Mr. Quimpo has this to say for other farmers: they should be open to use new technologies as this will help increase productivity and income. They should go - into farm diversification, as Agriculture is a very wide field; they can integrate crops and livestock for added production and profitability.