DA names Gawad Saka awardees in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture conferred yesterday the 2017 Regional Gawad Saka Awards to Outstanding Agricultural Achievers in Central Visayas.

For the Gawad Saka, there were 11 individuals and three groups; one special award, four Outstanding Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians, five Organic Agriculture Search Awards, nine Rice Achievers Awards and four Outstanding Provincial AI Coordinators (PAIC).

The awardees received a cash prize of P30,000 for individual category and P50,000 for group category and plaque while assisting technician got P15,000 cash prize and plaque.

The awardees are Catalino Sumatra, outstanding rice farmer of Carmen, Bohol; Adriel Dave Alvarez, outstanding corn farmer of San Francisco, Cebu; Mario Bellita and AdonesAtuel, both of Cebu City, as outstanding high value crops farmer and outstanding young farmer, respectively; JothamTanasan as outstanding organic farmer of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental; Ismael Tumanda as outstanding small animal raiser of Batuan, Bohol; Teofilo Gementiza as outstanding large animal raiser of Antequera, Bohol; Amelia Pinote as outstanding sugarcane farmer of Medellin, Cebu; Gerardo Sarnillo as outstanding coconut farmer of Sibonga, Cebu.

Adolfo Piquero and family as outstanding farm family of Candijay, Bohol; Arapal Dairy Farmers Association – Arapal Livelihood Center Inc. as outstanding agri-entrepreneur of Bogo City, Cebu; Sogod BFT as outstanding barangay food terminal of Sogod, Cebu; Nagkahiusang Mamumuong Kababayen-an sa Bagay-Mahigugmaong Kababayen-an a Alinsuob (MAKASA) Chapter as outstanding rural improvement club of Daanbantayan, Cebu; San Isidro Pilar Palayamanan Farmers Association as outstanding small farmers organization of Pilar, Bohol.

Nena Lomosad was named outstanding rural woman of Siquijor, Siquijor; and the outstanding AI technicians are Joseph Dagoy of Siquijor, Nicasio Gemira of Negros Oriental, Victorino Lañojan of Cebu and Normal Torrejano of Bohol.

For the organic agriculture search awards, Arlene Cabusao as outstanding municipal focal person of Carmen, Bohol; Mirason Verula as outstanding agricultural extension worker of Duero, Bohol; Casimero Llubit as outstanding small farmer individual of Dimiao, Bohol; Panaghugpong sa mga Gagmay nga Grupo sa Oriental Negros Inc. as outstanding small farmers group of Mabinay, Negros Oriental, and Letesma Carollo and family as outstanding farm family group of La Libertad, Negros Oriental.

The outstanding agricultural extension workers for Rice Achievers Awards are Tarcisia Baluca of Antequera, Ireneo Macalolot of Bilar, Arlene Cabusao of Carmen, Ronulfo Casenas of Duero, Ponciano Cruda of Talibon, Ma. Louella Cua of Calape; Bernadita Castulo as outstanding local farmer technician of Candijay, and the Municipality of Talibon as outstanding municipality, all of Bohol Province; and Mario Banguis as outstanding local farmer technician of Maria, Siquijor.

The outstanding PAIC are Johnny Samson of Bohol, Dr. Lito Alo of Cebu, Alexander Garsula Jr. of Negros Oriental, and Basilio Castillon of Siquijor.

DA-7 acting regional executive director Marina Hermoso thanked the awardees as well as the local officials for attending the ceremony despite suspension of work in government offices due to the nationwide transport strike.

Director Angel Enriquez of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management has emphasized the vital role of her office to sustain agricultural production otherwise no more foods for the Filipinos by 2030.

Director Leo Cañedo of the DA Field Operations Service also thanked farmers in Central Visayas for the contribution to the national gross agricultural production particularly Bohol. (FREEMAN)