Siquijor breeds another Farmer-Scientists

Siquijor, May 6 (PIA)—Living up to its name as FSTP country, Siquijor province is producing anew farmer-scientists in a 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 at the Siquijor Capital Square, Siquijor, Siquijor. 

Some 419 corn farmers throughout the province graduated the FSTP training, 43 of which were from Siquijor 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 occasion was attended by Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua, Congressman Orlando B. Fua, Sr., Hon. Arturo Pacatang, Munipal Mayors of the six municipalities, Dr. Romulo G. Davide, the father of FSTP, Rizalie A. Calibo of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Bernadith Bunado of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Jose Chiquito Mahinay of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Lauding FSTP program for its contribution to the province’s agricultural development, Governor Fua renewed his all-out support as he claimed that Siquijor will no longer be importing corn from the neighboring islands because of the program. 

Congressman Orlando B. Fua Sr., on the other hand, committed P1M worth for agricultural projects as he vowed to support the farmers’ agricultural needs.

Likewise, Dr. Romulo G. Davide, who spent nine years advocating the program and assisting all the facilitators to come up with new techniques that will elevate the poor farmers of Siquijor from the bondage of poverty and hunger, expressed his appreciation to all the farmers who participated the training program as he encouraged them to scatter the knowledge they have learned to further increase corn production in Siquijor province. 

The six Municipal Mayors with representatives from line agencies also expressed willingness to support for the growth and advancement of the program.

Bernadith Bunado said the output of the program showed a positive result to production despite the fact that Farmer-Scientists comprises only 8% of the total corn farmer population.

The theme of the program is “Empowering Farmers for Socio-Economic Progress.”
(Rizalie A. Calibo with reports from Engr. Jinky P. Wenceslao/OPA)

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Six students recipients of scholarship grant

Larena, Siquijor, May 6, 2011 (PIA)—Six students from Siquijor province are recipients of the Philippine Angels Kids (PAK) Club, a national government organization (NGO) from Japan that granted scholarship to poor but deserving students of the province.

The scholars are Kentwarf Calibo, Gliza Mae Manos, Evan Jean Magsayo, Eric Lumacad, Fe Calomohay and Betche Mae Jaictin.

They are six among the top 10 students of Candaping National High School (CNHS) of Maria town and Parami National High School (PNHS) of Lazi town.

It’s “heaven sent,” says Carlita Calibo, parent of Kentwarf Calibo, one of the six PAK Club.

Calibo continued saying “sa kalisod sa panahon karon uban sa kamahal sa palitonon mura’g imposible na ang pagpaeskwela ug college. Nagpasalamat ko ug dako nga gidungog gyud sa Ginoo among mga pag-ampo.  (with today’s hardship and the rising price of commodities, it seems impossible for us to send our children to college.. I am so thankful that God heard my prayers through this group)

Another parent, Glindo Manos also claimed God really loves them. “Sa akong pangita isip usa ka tigalabas ug mag-uuma, ang akong kita igo-igo ra gyud nga makapakaon sa akong pamilya.” (my income as a farmer is barely enough to feed my family). 

While thanking the club , another parent Nila Magsayo, also advises the children to concentrate and strive hard for their studies.

PAK Club President Kozo Yoshimoto said the scholarship is aimed to assist the financial educational needs of the six youths as he believed that education is a powerful tool to secure one’s future. “If you are educated, job opporunties both local and worldwide will eventually come,” he said. 

The club has allocated 72 thousand ye for the six students per year.
Yoshimoto also said that helping find the way out for these parents to educate their children gives them fulfillment. “I spent 60 years focusing on myself alone. I am very thankful that God give me the conviction of doing what is good for the children,” he said.

He also hopes that this deed will even heal the wound that the Japanese have caused to Filipino people long time ago. He continued saying “that is why I am really into helping improve the education of Filipino children. I am proud and pleased tomake my first step through the children of Siquijor.

Likewise, Toshito “Dagman” Harada, a Japanese national who is now the president of the Rotary Club of Siquijor Central (RCSC), was also able to assist financially to seven college students at Siquijor State College (SSC).

Among those who graduated recently are Michael Dongon who took upBachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), Ernanie Paninsoro, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (MSHRM) and Gold Mae Dongon, Bachelor of Science in Tourism (BST). (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor with reports of Inacher A.Abatayo)