CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI) through the Provincial Agriculture Office has recognized the outstanding farmers and fisherfolks of the province during the localized Gawad Saka Awards held at Piazza Zicarelli on January 20, 2023.

Provincial Agriculturist Marites Frogoso said Isabela farmers who excelled in agricultural productivity need to be recognized as they contribute to the bountiful food supply in the province.

“It is necessary to give recognition to our farmers and fisherfolks to inspire them to produce enough foods notonly for the province but for the country as a whole,” Frogoso said.

BFAR-2 Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion and DA - 2 Regional Technical Director Dr. Roberto Busania served as the guests of honor during the Provincial Gawad Saka Awards.

The Gawad Saka Awardees were Orlando S. Miguel as Outstanding Integrated Rice Farmer from Malasin, San Mateo; Juan T. Eril as Outstanding Corn Farmer from San Pablo, Isabela; Australia R. Andres of Bannagan, Aurora as Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer; Marcelo C. Valdez and family of Bannawag, Angadanan as Outstanding Farm/Fisherfolk Family; John Mark Mariano of Divinan, Jones as Outstanding Young Farmer (4H Club); Emmylou R. Loresto of Holy Friday Mallig as Outstanding Organic Farmer; Arvin C. Padilla of Sisim Alto, Tumauini as Outstanding Large Animal Raiser; and Manuel Cabrera of San Antonio, City of Ilagan as Outstanding Small Animal Raiser. 

Other awardees include Morris B. Attaban of Rizal, Santiago City as Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Culture); Ronald L. Dugo of Digumased, Dinapigue as Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Capture); Maria Gloria L. Guifaya of Naguilian as Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur.

Vanessa Joy F. Calderon of DA-CVRC, San Felipe, City of Ilagan was awarded as Outstanding Agricultural Researcher; while Engr. Melanie A. Baguio of ISU-Echague as Outstanding Agricultural Scientist.

Meanwhile, for group category, awarded as Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization (4H Club) was the 4-H Club Sagana of Santiago City; Outstanding Rural Improvement Club (RIC) – RIC Mataas na Kahoy of Alicia; Outstanding Small Farmer Organization (Cooperative) – Epiphany MPC of Abut, Quezon; Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (LGU-Operated)  Balintocatoc of Santiago City; Outstanding Food Terminal (NGO-Operated) – Magat Lakeside Farmers and Fishpond Operators Association of Ramon; and Outstanding Independent Component City Agriculture and Fishery Council – ICCAFC of Santiago City. 

Aside from certificates of recognition, individual achievers received P50,000 cash incentive while P100,000 for group category and P10,000 for LGUs. (OTB/MGE / PIA Isabela)