FSTP soaring high in Siquijor, gets local dads’ full support 

Cong. Fua commits another P1M for Siquijor farmers 

By Rizalie A. Calibo 

Apparently pleased with the performance of the Farmer-Scientists Training program in Siquijor province, Representative of the lone district of Siquijor, Congressman Orlando B. Fua and Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. with all other local officials are giving another boost to Siquijor farmers as they vowed to continuously support the agricultural needs of the farmers particularly those that have undergone the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP). 

Cong. Fua during the joint graduation ceremony and launching of Phases II and III of the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP) on corn-based production system for Sustainable Agricultural Development early last month, committed another P1M worth for agricultural projects as he vowed to fully support the program. 

With special heart for farmers as they claimed to be farmers themselves, the Fua’s have recognized FSTP’s contribution to Siquijor economy so that sometime in 2004 during his term as Govenor of the Island, Congressman Fua declared Siquijor province an FSTP-country with a total of 338 farmer-scientist-graduates covering its six municipalities. A lot more were added every year since then. 

In his declaration, he was hopeful and confident that a rapid growth in agricultural production of the province is achieved. 

Surely so because in barely three years after its implementation in 2004, the program was already making a big wave to the Siquijor farmers' lives. 

According to the economic survey based on annual income of the farmer-scientists (FS) in six municipalities, an increase of 107.24 percent in the annual income of the 187 FS was noted after two years from graduation in FSTP. 

This was attained mainly because Siquijor leaders are united. All the mayors are very supportive to FSTP and have their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) funds available for the program, FSTP over-all coordinator Dr. Romulo G. Davide, once noted. 

Dr. Davide introduced and spent nine years advocating the program to elevate poor farmers of Siquijor from the bondage of poverty and hunger. 

Today, Siquijor has another 419 farmer scientists to add to the list of successfully trained FS since its implementation. Forty three of them are from Siquijor Capital town ( phase I = 39 & phase II = 4), 52 from Larena ( phase I = 13, phase II = 20 and phase III = 19) , 25 from Enrique Villanueva ( phase I = 14 and phase III = 6), 57 from Maria (phase II = 22), 91 from Lazi ( phase I = 19 and phase II = 72) and 191 from San Juan (phase I = 93, phase II = 36 & phase III = 62). 

The new farmer scientists all the more inspired Siquijor officials to do more as they renew all-out financial and logistic support, all to bring Siquijor to full economic prosperity.

For it was already proven. “With rise in income, Siquijor province will no longer be importing corn from the neighboring islands because of FSTP,” Gov Fua claims. (RAC/PIA-Siquijor)