Bicol Agri-achievers Awarded
NAGA CITY – In recognition of the outstanding contribution of our farmers and rural women to the growth of the agriculture sector, the DA in Bicol staged the annual awarding ceremonies of the achievers in this year’s Gawad Saka and Rural Women Search in one of the hotels in this City on October 10, 2018.
The DA Bicol gave a total of P780,000 in cash awards and plaques of commendation to nine (9) Gawad Saka Achievers and four (4) Outstanding Rural Women awardees.
Undersecretary Evelyn G. Lavina of DA’s High Value Crops and Rural Credit and Chairperson of DA-Gender and Development (GAD) Focal System in her keynote speech, noted the big number of women awardees in the region, particularly in the Rural Women Search. She also added that aside from the feats of the Gawad Saka achievers “whose contributions to the agriculture sector are worth telling,” their patience and endurance in complying with the tedious requirements and back breaking preparations for the scrap book and for the regional and national evaluation are also worthy of recognition. Thus, Undersecretay Lavina also commended the regional Gawad Saka team headed by Aloha Gigi I. Banaria.
“Our future depends on what we did yesterday. We need to produce safe foods that are not laced with chemicals,” Undersecretary Lavina stressed as she talks on the upcoming World Food Day celebration on October 16.
Citing the recent meeting of Secretary Manny Pinol with the local chief executives of Regions 4A, 4B and Bicol in Pasay City during the Food Security Summit, Usec. Lavina reiterated the department’s aggressive campaign for food security and food sustainability. She promised to come up with a national roadmap to support Bicol’s sili or chili and pili.
The Gawad Saka Achievers are: Genaro A. Tamon of Magarao, Camarines Sur – Outstanding Rice Farmer; Angelita A. Cerillo of Tigaon, Camarines Sur – Outstanding Corn Farmer; Pepito M. Amaranto of Daraga, Albay – Outstanding High Value Crop Farmer; Elmer S. Salazar of Tigaon, Camarines Sur – Outstanding Organic Agriculture Farmer; Josephine G. Artiaga of Lupi, Camarines Sur – Outstanding Small Animal Raiser; Napo RIC of Polangui, Albay – Outstanding Rural Improvement Club; MAFC Malilipot of Malilipot, Albay – Outstanding Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC); PAFC Daet of Daet, Camarines Norte – Outstanding Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) and MFARMC of Tiwi, Albay – Outstanding Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC). The winning individual received P50,000 cash while outstanding groups received P75,000 cash and plaques.
This year’s regional Outstanding Rural Woman is Ms. Josephine G. Artiaga of Lupi, Camarines Sur. She received P30,000 cash award and plaque.
The assisting Agricultural Technicians received P15,000 cash award each.
During the one-day event, world class products made by the various Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) of Bicol who are enrolled with the GREAT WOMEN Project 2 were also exhibited.
Meanwhile, Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat was represented by Councilor Nene De Asis. While Rodel P. Tornilla, DA Bicol Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension represented Regional Executive Director Elena B. delos Santos during the event. (Lovella P. Guarin/ photo by Jun Collantes)