NUEVA ECIJA -- “Kahanga-hanga kayo dahil ipinakita ninyo na ang lahat ay maaabot sa kabila ng ating kinahaharap na pagsubok…” Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said to the 9,097 farmer- beneficiaries who completed the PHilMech’s Radyo Eskwela: Angat Ani Sa Ta¬mang Makinarya Program.
In its first virtual rites, the graduates were from the 648 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) of 2019 qualified beneficiaries for RCEF Mechanization Program. For Luzon, there were 6,915 FCAs graduates, for Visayas 591, and for Mindanao 1,481. There were 6,488 males and 2,609 females.
PHilMech through Radio Mindanao Network [RMN] live-streamed the event at Radyo Eskwela Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and aired it on all RMN AM stations-nationwide last June 30 (part 1 recognition) and July 3 (part 2 recognition-graduation), 5:30-6:00 A.M.
The graduates with flying colors, 15 FCAs and five FCA member received the awards for Most Active FCA members; Most Improved; Top 5 Highest Scores (individual and Group Category) and Highest Number of Enrollees in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Quintin Aveno, the ka-eskwela with the Most Improved Award from Alitas Farmers Association shared that a lot of things could be learned in the program. He said, “Marami po kaming natutuhan mula sa guro namin sa radio… mula po sa batas na Republic Act 11203 na Rice Tarrification Law, kahalagahan ng RCEF, paghahanda at makatapos - ani na paggamit ng mga tamang machine.”
Experts of PHilMech imparted lessons in mechanized farming using six modules and 18 lessons into seven regional languages such as Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Waray, Chavacano, Bicolano, and Iloco.
“Natutuwa po kami na dialect na ang mga aralin, mas madali na pong maunawaan ang mga aralin na itinuturo sa amin “said, representative from Pagsabagangan Farmers and Irrigators Multipurpose Cooperative.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami na kahit sa panahon ng pandemya, patuloy ang pagtulong ninyo sa aming mga magsasaka” the representative of Magcabalicatpo Irrigators Association, Inc. , also expressed.
“ … dahil sa Radyo Eskwela natutuhan ko po na sa pagamit ng mga makinarya mas napabilis ang pagtratrabaho at nakatipid sa gastos.” stated Glen Palmejar member of Agutayan-Cubay Agrarian Reform Cooperative. He is an awardee for the most active FCA Member and one of the FCAs with the highest score.
“This successful event marks a milestone in achieving the goal of RCEF in Mechanization Program, complementing the thrust of the Department of Agriculture,” Sec. William D. Dar emphasized.
PHilMech Director IV Dr. Baldwin G. Jallorina added that the knowledge obtained from the program by the farmer-beneficiaries is valuable and cannot be taken away.
Meanwhile, Dr. Milagros B. Gonzalez, PHilMech’s Applied Communication Division (ACD) chief, encouraged everyone to continue gaining knowledge and help share these with their fellow farmers.
In the same event, PHilMech recognized the technical experts who shared their expertise on the 30-minute educational awareness activity from March 17 to June 9, 2021.
The rites can be still watched in Radyo Eskwela’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/RadyoEskwelaPH/) and on YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l66z5AnReGQ).
For the Season II of Radyo Eskwela, PHilMech will soon invite the 2020 qualified beneficiaries of RCEF Mechanization Program. (MTVCabuloy / DA-PhilMech)
