ATI-RTC 1 Center Director Dr. Rogelio Evangelista giving his message during the first airing of SOA on RCEF-RESP
The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1) launched the School-on-the-Air (SOA) on Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) on July 6, 2021 through DZRD 981 Sonshine Radio Dagupan and DZAG 97.1 FM Radyo Pilipinas Agoo and streamed on ATI Ilocos Region, DZRD 981 and DZAG Radyo Pilipinas Agoo Facebook Pages.
The program aims to provide and update farmers with the knowledge on RCEF-RESP and rice technologies. Furthermore, due to COVID-19 restrictions and community quarantine in various parts of the country, people were transformed into the digital. Hence, ATI-RTC 1 tends to embrace these digital technologies in implementing its activities which include the SOA program. This will be aired every Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00 am – 6:30 am.
The targeted number of enrollees and soon to be graduates was 500 which comprises farmers, agricultural extension workers, and or individuals who are registered in Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA). Said participants, come from the 16 Cities/Municipalities in La Union under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
Dr. Maricel D. Dacapias, Information Officer III of ATI-RTC 1, presented the overview of the program including the roles and responsibilities of all SOA coordinators in La Union. She also informed that the program has gimmicks like ATIng Trivia and text promo and is open to all listeners/viewers to participate.
Dr. Rogelio C. Evangelista, Center Director of ATI-RTC 1, during his welcome message encouraged everybody to listen to the radio or watch the facebook livestreaming of the program to learn more about the technologies and components of RCEF-RESP including the distribution of inbred rice seeds, rice machineries, financial assistance and trainings. Moreover, enrollees will be informed about the nine (9) palaychecks.
Enrollees are expected to graduate from the program sometime in September of the same year.