CALBAYOG CITY- A total of 37 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Lonoy and Palanascara villages, this city, received their certificates of training as graduates of the season-long Training Farmers Field School (FFS) on organic vegetable production during the closing program held on August 7. The training was part of national government’s undertaking known as the “Agrikulturang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” or “AgriPinoy 4Ps” which, through local government units, aims to increase agricultural productivity and provide training, sustainable livelihood and short-term jobs to poor farm families in agricultural areas in the countryside.
This AgriPinoy 4Ps tries to enable 4Ps beneficiaries by providing them with enough skills and livelihood activities that will make them self-reliant someday. In his message, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino extended his congratulations to the graduates- seven men and 30 women- which he considers to play great role in achieving food security and self-sufficiency.
Mayor Aquino likewise urged the graduates to share their newly-gained knowledge to others for more sustainable and easy access of food for every Calbayonon family.
Meanwhile, Palanascara and Lonoy participants’ representatives Villa Arboso and Armando Monzaga expressed gratitude to the city government through the City Agriculture Office for bringing closer to them programs of national government, and likewise, teaching them farming and growing vegetables the natural way.
Both also further affirmed the new knowledge and skills they acquired from the training like the use of organic fertilizers for soil conditioning that, ultimately, will result to safe produce for their families’ daily consumption.
The season-long FFS on organic vegetable production is a joint undertaking of the Department of Agriculture (DA-8) and the city government of Calbayog.
During the closing program, DAR-8 was represented by Samar agriculture program coordinator Engr. Gilbert Ulchundra, and his city counterpart, City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar. (AIMEE CATALAN/PR)
