Cebu City, May 11 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) acknowledges our modern day heroes who toils the soil and seas to achieve food sovereignty through the Gawad Saka and Media awards held last May 10.
Following the theme for farmer and fisherfolks month, “Buwan ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda, Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya,” outstanding farmers and fishers in individual and cooperative category were given plaques of recognition and cash incentives during the event.
Department of Agriculture 7 Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez, in her message, thanked the food industry heroes for their undying service for food security.
“We have learned the value of our farmers and fishers especially during the COVID-19 pandemic because you’ve ensured that we have food on our tables,” Enriquez said.
She also stressed that food security is everybody’s concern highlighting the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) of the DA.
“I encourage LGUs to support agriculture… Food security is everybody's concern. We can contribute to food security, it’s not only (a concern of) the DA and the farmers,” Enriquez added.
The NUPAP program advocates the local communities to grow communal gardens, community farms, vertical farms and rooftop gardens.
Enriquez also acknowledged the media for their unwavering support in the agricultural sector.
Enriquez was also joined in the giving of the awards by DA7’s Regional Technical Directors Joel Elumba and Wilberto Castillo, together with Grace Cenas, the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC) Chairperson.
Three organizations – Bonga Waling-Waling Rural Improvement Club of Siquijor, Kapunungan sa mga Kabatan-onang Ata sa Barangay Canggohob of Mabinay, Negros Oriental, and Pestales Agriculture Cooperative – were 2022 Gawad Saka Awardees.
Sheila Mae Baldadlo of Mabinay was hailed as young farmer; Nunelito Ven
Garrote of Cortes, Bohol as small animal raiser; and Vicente Rosales Jr. of Ubay, Bohol as large animal raiser of the year.
Regional outstanding rural woman was awarded to Arlene Baculi of Ubay, and her runner-up was Vilma Ynot of Daanbantayan, Cebu.
Nestor Villaflores of Negros Oriental was awarded as provincial artificial insemination coordinator while Johnny Samson of Bohol was AI coordinator of the year.
