TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) CALABARZON held its Year-End Review on Regional Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) Activities cum “RCEF Farm School Owners Cluster Meeting and Consultation” at the Teofely Nature Farm, Silang on December 14 to 16, 2022.

The three-day program aimed to have a discussion between RCEF-RESP Implementing Agencies (IAs) and RCEF Farm School (FS) owners, and to share the status and achievements of RCEF-RESP implementers in the CALABARZON region.

OIC Training Center Superintendent II / Center Director Dr. Roland V. Maningas led the opening of the event as he acknowledged all the program participants.

Around twenty-five (25) farm school representatives, and Provincial Agriculture Officers from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Quezon attended and participated in said activity.

Agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Los Baños, DA Regional Field Office IV-A, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and ATI presented updates and accomplishments for the current year.

Chair Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Senator Cynthia A. Villar showed support for the activity while PhilRice Los Baños Director Remelyn Sevilla-Relado and TESDA Provincial Director of Quezon province, Dr. Gerardo Marasigan sent their message of encouragement and inspiration thru Scholarship Focal-TESDA Provincial Office Ms. Myla Canzana.

Meanwhile, Owner/Operator, and Farm School Director of Sweet Nature Farm Ms. Suzette Sales expressed her appreciation for DA-ATI’s support.

“Maraming salamat sa ATI. Palagi kaming nai-inspire sa inyong mga gawain. Kami ay laging magsusumikap dahil sa inyong mga pinapakita sa amin na kasipagan at commitment,” Sales said. (RBF/PIA-Cavite with reports from DA-ATI 4A)