CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture conferred yesterday the Regional Gawad Saka Award to outstanding individuals, associations and employees of DA and local government units in Central Visayas.
There were 13 individual, six groups and seven organic farmers in the region who have been adjudged for their invaluable contributions to the realization of the department's vision of a food secured and food self-sufficient nation.
The awardees each received P30,000 and a plaque, along with their respective assisting agriculture technician.
Leading the awardees was Rosita Quipit who is this year's Outstanding Corn Farmer, making her hometown of Carmen, Bohol a Hall of Famer for being an awardee since 2013.
Carmen Mayor Ricardo Francisco Toribio said the municipal government has been providing Quipit the needed assistance for her dedication to farming.
Other individual awardees were Jose Polinar, as rice farmer of Batuan, Bohol; Bernardino Ruloma for High Value Crops Development Program in Calape, Bohol; Junvic Ando, a small animal raiser in Sagbayan, Bohol; Jessie Ogahayon, an organic farmer of Dumaguete City; Kremlind Catan, a coconut farmer of Dumaguete City; Harris King Omandam, a young farmer of Siquijor; Maria Gimenez, a cassava farmer of Siquijor; Leonides Labrador, an agricultural entrepreneur of Cebu City; Alex Mandin and family, an outstanding farm family of Loboc, Bohol; Teresita Veradio, outstanding rural woman of Siquijor; Van Jimenez for fish capture of Siquijor; and Teresita Juan for fish culture of Getafe, Bohol.
Groups that received recognition were Mandaug Palayamanan as small farmer organization of Calape, Bohol; Healthy 4H Club as young farmer organization in Dumaguete City; San Miguel Municipal Agricultural and Fisheries Council in Bohol; Dumanhog Rural Improvement Club in Siquijor; United Farmers of Tanibag for Barangay Food Terminal in Pinamungajan, Cebu; Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council of Oslob, Cebu; and the Municipality of Alegria, Cebu for organic farming.
Awards were also given to Avelina Pis-an as provincial focal person of Siquijor, Aiza Daligdig as municipal focal person of Maria, Siquijor; Mario Silagan as agriculture extension worker of Tubigon, Bohol; Francisco Manigo as small farmer individual in Tubigon, Bohol; KABOOM as small farmers group in Tagbilaran City, Cesar Baroro and Family as farmer family of Siquijor.
Tranquilino Galbo and Rosendo Ranario, both of Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol, received the Non-Gawad Saka Award while veterinarians, Dr. Alice Utlang of Cebu City, Dr. Janice Togonon for Lapu-Lapu City and Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy of the Province of Cebu, were awarded as rabies prevention implementors.
Ma. Theresa Abella of Cebu, Helen Igot of Bohol; Edgar Anhao, Fidencia Bation, Nida Abada and Vidalita Gom-os, all of Siquijor, were also given citation for assisting the Gawad Saka search.
DA Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez said the awarding ceremony was a victorious day for the famers who survived despite of El Niño and the rainy season, as the government continues to provide the needed support.
DA Assistant Secretary for Visayas, Atty. Hansel Didulo extended his admiration to the awardees through a speech read by his executive assistant, Cheng Flores.
"May this glorious occasion inspire you to continue your noble task not only of providing for your family and ensuring we have food to eat, but also of inspiring us all to value the fruits of labor, hardwork, and sacrifice - virtues which you perfectly exemplify! Salamat po sa pagpupursige at sakripisyo ninyo. Salamat po sa patuloy na pagpapahalaga ninyo sa biyaya ng tubig at lupa," read the message.
Young farmer, Harris King Omandam of Siquijor, shared that while most of the youth are addicted to modern technology, his passion is farming even if he had finished a degree.
He urged parents to guide the youth to engage in farming which he said is a business. (FREEMAN)