SISON, Pangasinan—The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I) and the Department of Education Pangasinan Division II conducted its third Training of Trainers (TOT) on School Children Field School (SCFS) on Biodiversity, Climate Change and Nutrition thru Sustainable Vegetable Production Mass Graduation on November 16, 2017 at the Sison Central Integrated School, Sison, Pangasinan.
Graduates comprised 194 elementary and high school students, and 31 teachers from five different pilot schools – the Bersamin Agro-Industrial High School in Alcala, Pangasinan; Rosales National High School in Rosales, Pangasinan; Mantacdang Elementary School in San Quintin, Pangasinan; Mangaldan National High School in Mangaldan, Pangasinan; and Sison Central Integrated School in Sison, Pangasinan, the techno-demo area.
The graduation exercises was graced by DepEd Regional Director, Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, DA Regional Technical Director Orlando Lorenza, and School Division Superintendent-Pangasinan II, Atty. Donato D. Baldedara, Jr., who accepted the graduates and delivered an inspiring message. Dr. Virgilio B. Barba, the Education Program Supervisor I, gave the Closing Remarks.
ATI-RTC I Center Director Rogelio C. Evangelista expressed his gratitude to the graduates, teachers and principals during the commencement ceremonies. He likewise conveyed the importance of the SCFS program.
As the highlight of the activity, graduates and participating schools received various awards for the cooking contest, folk media presentation, centerpiece, and best booth.
The third TOT SCFS program started on July 7 and ended on November 10. It was composed of three phases. Phase I was the Training of Trainers for teachers. Phase II was the Season Long School Children Field School on Sustainable Vegetable Production. Phase III was the Implementation of Re-entry Plans.
The program was designed to equip the participants who are the teachers and students in the elementary and high school level with knowledge and skills on biodiversity, climate change and nutrition thru sustainable vegetable production.
“The SCFS brought a big impact in my life as an individual. It helped me realize the importance of plant growing and agriculture. Thanks to the SCFS Program. Surely, this will help us prevent famine and starvation. Through this program, we were able to know not only the importance of eating fruits and vegetables but also the value of why we should pursue plant growing and agriculture,” Joshua Caleb Bernabe, one of the graduates said.